Mod Travel: Ski Tips for Girls

I always find it a bit of a task packing for my Ski holiday. We had to go through a bit of re organising here, the night before. I thought I was "done" packing, but in the end I had lost quite a few items and traded for other important ones. End result, a lighter more organised bag!

Getting it right requires a great deal of forward planning. On the plus side I found the perfect goggle fix that are gorgeous on! They have the all important anti fog, dual vented lenses bit...more importantly they are a pink limited - Breast Cancer Awareness edition.
I've since come to the conclusion, keep it simple. This sort of holiday is all about layers. Keeping it easy, comfy and warm. Not forgetting the style and lip gloss of course!

Now the important stuff.

My first top travel essentials is a good moisturiser and lip care. Boots do a fantastic range of easy to pack travel mini products under the all important 100ml allowance. The Sanctuary Spa products are my favourite, they smell gorgeous and last all day long. You will feel truly pampered on piste!

(www.thesanctuary.co.uk)

This cherry flavour Carmex is my all time favourite! Keeps your lips from chapping and doubles up for a nice bit of gloss for the evening. Perfect for kissing!

For the evenings, ditch the heels and dresses. Keep it to one winter coat, 3 pairs of jeans, leggings and tights - it's all about the layers. A gorgeous pair of leg warmers. Long woolly jumpers and a nice pair of boots with a good grip, you will look fabulous! I fell head over heals in love with this navy jumper from River Island.

Packing Tip: Once you have lined up your essentials. Use your ski boots and fill them up! You will be surprised just how much stuff you can hide fit in these.

Finally keep your head warm with this Barts beanie hat, as well as keeping your ears warm whilst hurtling down the piste! Check out these gorgeous matching socks too!

Mod Travel: Alpe D' Huez Ski

Bonjour mon amie! I've recently just come back from a fantastic week away in the French Alps. Temperatures dropped to a chilly -23 degrees, but the sun shone each day for us and made our ski trip easily one of my all time favourites.
Every day was an adventure with spectacular scenery. Dotted with trees, streams and beautiful old wooden mountain huts. Perfect for a rest...and of course a vin chaud to soak it all up!

Conditions at the moment on and off piste are fantastic, with the biggest snow fall in over 40 years. There is still plenty left and great ski deals to be found towards the end of season. Check out some of these bargains!

Alpe D' Huez is approx 2 hours from Grenoble airport, and after 21 (I counted) hair-pin bends to reach the top, it is worth every terrifying turn. It's one of the highest resorts in Europe, so always a good gamble for even a short weekend break. Pic Blanc sits at 3330 meters high, and the Sarenne is one of the longest, most picturesque runs I have ever done.

The town itself (although fairly new) still manages to keep looking quaint in parts. A nice selection of bars and savoyard style restaurants serving some of the best french cuisine and wines I've tasted.
For some great live music a trip to the Underground bar is a must.

Don't forget to check out the ice sculptures (with a difference) at the Ice Bar.

A Hidden Gem:  A beautiful family run restaurant  Le Passe Montague. We sat for hours with friends here, the food was delicious with an extensive wine and dessert menu!

Booking in advance is advised.The friendly owner looks like Chris De Burgh...oh and ask for the corner table next to the wood burning fire.

Bon Voyage!

Mod Mum: flying with babies...the aftermath

As you already know, I have just returned from a two week vacation in Ireland. Before we left Boston, I was so stressed out about managing the kids on-board the plane. The thing is that the kids really were no problem, its a shame the same cannot be said for some of our fellow travelers .

As we were waiting in line to check in at Logan airport in Boston, a group of middle aged Irish women were checking in just ahead of us. To my horror, one of them turned and said out loud to the girl at the desk, 'can you make sure we are seated as far away as possible from that lot with the baby '. As luck may have it, we were seated right behind her and 'the baby 'slept the entire journey, but she got drunk and abused the cabin staff and annoyed everyone close to her with her loud Dublin accent and her dirty jokes.

I know I have been guilty in the past of secretly hoping that I was not seated close to any kids who like to play with their table-tops or scream the whole way, but I was really shocked at the dirty looks we received when we rolled up to board with baby-in-tow. We felt like plague victims.

Luckily, we had two hassle-free flights and made it to the other side unscathed.

So tips .......

as for the two older boys the good old in-flight entertainment sorted them out, and they merrily munched on pretzels and sipped from mini-cans of sprite the whole way,

and the baby.....

one word.......drugs !

We found that administering two good spoonfuls of calpol ( baby aspirin) before boarding helped to prevent sore ears, and helped him sleep. On the return flight once he woke, plenty of snacks, crayons, and thanks to the friendly giant behind us ( he was at least 7 foot) who happily smiled and pulled faces at him, every time he peered over the seats it all went rather well. We lapped up the praises of the cabin- crew, kind fellow travelers, and felt like champion parents until the 8 yr old declared on the way home that Family Guy is his new favourite cartoon......oops.

Last tip, keep all eyes on all kids at all times. What are the odds that part of the trip will be top of the list of things he did on his vacation when he gives teacher the run-down in school tomorrow?

Worried about an up and coming trip with babies ? This article has some fantastic advice, great tips and even better links.

Friday Feeling

Hooray! The weekend has arrived and brought along some sunshine...

Brenda is still enjoying here time at home with the family back home in the west coast of Ireland. Plenty of fun filled days and the odd glass of Guinness! Looking forward to hearing their tales from Mayo and how she managed flying with babies!?

 I’ll be house hunting this weekend for our home in the countryside, not too far from the big smoke!

But far enough for a local country pub (essential) and a nice garden for BBQ’s in the summer and a possible new addition to the family.....

Have a lovely Weekend Everyone! See you soon X

Lazy Sundays

On spare weekends I try and spend a few hours exploring this big city we call home! Its a perfect opportunity for finding hidden gems like secret book stores and local food markets. 

Here is this weekends find from one of my favourite haunts in London....

The Kings Road shopping and ambience is fantastic, quirky and great for celeb spotting. Famous since the swinging sixties you will find yourself immersed in Chelsea's lifestyle of the rich and famous. I like to ogle in the window of Hamptons. This is house hunting with a difference! Fancy living in Queens gate  for a cool £25,000,00? This property has 12 bedrooms with 11 bathrooms. Check out the pool and private cinema!

(Sloane Square)

Saatchi Gallery -  Spend an hour or two here at this beautifully designed London gallery for contemporary art. Yesterday was the Sunday Times 50th anniversary exhibition showcasing some of the world-famous photographers such as David Bailey and Sam Taylor-wood. Admission is free!

Check out the restaurant with a view over looking the redbricked rooftops of London. We ate lunch here at the top floor cafe at Peter Jones in Sloane square.  ...Whilst my personal shopper went to fetch my manolo blahnik's.

It actually happens here! This branch of Peter Jones offer a "drive through" service. Your very own personal shopper dressed in tails and a waistcoat delivering your goods to your car.

Other glitzy stores close by, (perfect for my window shopping addiction) include Tiffanys, Bvlgari, and Jimmy Choo for some of the best shoe and handbag gazing in town!

Do you have any favourite hot spots? What has been your most extravagant spend? Tell us all....

Mod Mum: flying with babies

As you may already know, I am currently in Ireland visiting friends and family. We flew from Logan airport in Boston M.A. to Dublin, Ireland on friday, a 5 hour trip. Surprisingly it went really well, my 19 month old Tommie, slept the entire trip and we even had to wake him on arrival. The fact that it was a night flight helped and we were probably the only passengers happy about the fact that our flight was delayed until 9 15 pm. Better again for baby.

The thing is, I am dreading the journey back. Flying against the wind makes it an eight hour flight and we depart at 2 15 pm, so Tommie should be wide-awake and in the mood for socialising with the other passengers.

I think we are about to be that family that everyone prays they are not seated near, and the mother with the baby who screams the entire journey.

What was the longest flight you ever undertook with a little one in tow ? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.........

by my fellow travellers,

Brenda x

Mod Mob: Happy Friday

Happy Friday everyone, 

Do you have a Valentines date lined up for the weekend ?, 

going out with the girls?,

 or,

 planning a movie night in ?

Here are our five Friday favourites,

slow down and make your child's day......

too cool.........

fancy a dance......

yummy peach salad.....

love this.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Emma and Brenda x

Image credit 

Mod Mob: having a day off

Yes, we are taking a day off from posting today. We hope you enjoyed our Valentines theme and that you got something sweet from your love. 

Just a quick reminder about our Mod Mob Valentines Giveaway. We have something nice from our new friends at Rosso Solini for one lucky reader. For a quick reminder of the details, click on the Valentines Giveaway tab at the top of the page. 

Good luck....

P.S. It's almost Friday x

Mod Love: The Rules

You've asked him out, so where to go and what to do?
Follow these guidelines and you wont go far wrong on your first date night with Mr Right!

•  Under no circumstances are you to both find yourselves sitting awkwardly at the cinema, pretending to enjoy the film, worrying about what each other is thinking. This is at least a date 5.
• Same goes for any restaurants filled with loved up couples gazing into each others eyes. Cringe!
•  Keep it outdoors, keep it simple and most importantly keep it safe.
•  A nice evening stroll let's the conversation flow and relaxes both of you. Then maybe head to a cosy cafe or bar for a mulled wine or hot chocolate.
•  A game of darts or pool in a local pub allows you to show your talents - or at the very least that you're up for a laugh.
•  Ice Skating or some other outdoor pursuit does the very same thing, allowing him to show you his kind and caring side...when he is scraping you up off the ice for the tenth time.
• A city cruise. All those bright lights, cocktails and nibbles. A perfect way to get to know one another whilst enjoying the scenic surroundings.

(http://www.cutture.com/)

 And finally...

Dating is a nerve wracking buisness, so dont feel disheartened if it doesn't go well. It could be just down to the company you are with!

 

 Do you have any first date rules? 

Mod Love: Happy Valentines Day

However, and with whoever you spend it, have a wonderful Valentines Day,

love,

Emma and Brenda x

P.S. Our Valentines competition is open until Thursday, click here to enter.

Mod Travel: Parisian Delights

  

The city of lights and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, in my opinion. Tree lined boulevards brimming with romantic cafes and restaurants, each housing their own distinct twist on Paris life. Strolling through cobbled streets... shopping and nightlife thats hard to beat. Why not take your Valentine and follow your heart to Paris.

I did once. I loved wandering through the Latin quarter of St Germain and in the evening, eating the most delicious steak whilst listening to live jazz. Bon Apetite! You can catch a glimpse of the stunning views of the city from the top of Montmarte. Standing proudly here is the Sacre Coeur Basillica. For fun, why not get one of the old artists to paint your picture.

An all time romantic classic. Adore the grand public monuments such as The Champs Elysee's and the Eiffel Tower. Climb to the top just before 6pm and catch the light display. The list goes on. Paris...Je t'aime!   

                     

Travel Tip: Low cost flights  are so easy to book online and if you catch the right weekend you can grab yourself a bargain.

Travel Must: Invest in a city guide book. Paris is separated into districts and can be tricky to find your bearings...whilst balancing a croissant and a map.

Hidden Gem: Rue Montorgueil - We stumbled upon this, one of the oldest pedestrianised street markets. Selling some of the best fresh produce in Paris, the shopkeepers are famous for their enthusiasm and singing!

Must Read: Stephen Clarke's Paris Revealed . He writes with humor and knowledge about the city he calls home. 

What to wear. This article should help.


Watch: Geobeats online travel guides. Short narrated clips for all you need to know about visiting Paris.

Image credit: Pixdaus and Rowell Photography.

Mod Style : Valentines date looks and a Mod Mob Giveaway

(Louisa Ponte Peplum dress)

I love these cute dresses from boohoo.com. Are they not perfect for your Valentines night date?

(black and white polka-dot)

(sweetheart pleated dress)

               they even have the perfect shoes to match.....

(red suedette wedges)

(red high platforms)

and this brings me to our Valentines Style Giveaway.

Want a gorgeous pair of designer heels but don't have the cash to splash ? Tara Houghton, an Irish teenager, from a small village in County Kildare has the answer. Her company called Rosso Solini, meaning red sole in Italian, makes adhesives that can be applied to the sole of a shoe, making them dead ringers for the designer ones you dream of.  They come in many shades and designs, so to fully understand how special they are and to find out more about Tara click here.

Our new friends at Rosso Sollini have kindly agreed to sponsor this post, and have something nice for one lucky Mob Mod fan. 

To enter, all you have to do is visit Rosso Solini's Facebook page, give them the thumbs up, subscribe to Mod Mob via e-mail and leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. 

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday.

P.S. Want some ideas for  pretty Valentines date hair ? 

.........scroll on down

Mod Style : Valentines Night Hair

Pretty hair for Valentines night. All from shopbando.com.

what do you prefer...

  

up,

or, 

down ?

Oh Happy Friday

Well our first full week is done here on Mod Mob, and it's been fun. We hope you have found something to suit your love in our gift-guides and that we given you the nerve to grab that date for the big night. Emma is still looking good on the piste in France. Her Facebook updates are making me very jealous, as our first New England winter has been powder-less ....so far.

Any nice plans for the weekend ? I will be busy packing tonight as we are about to make our first trip home to Ireland since moving here almost 9 months ago. Excited is an understatement !

I am looking forward to seeing my family, eating some curry chips, sitting in a real pub, and yes, having a pint with friends. It's true, sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name.  

Have a good one, and catch up next week when I will be blogging from the comfort of my Mammy's kitchen, and Emma will be back in the U.K., blogging part two of her romantic hot-spots. 

Here are a few posts I found and loved this week....

A cool Lady Bug.

Make a heart-shaped red velvet cake.

Compile a can of dates.

Don't lose heart this close to Valentines Day.

Get crafty with the kids and make these love bug Valentines messages. 

Image credit:The Guardian.co.uk

Mod Gift Guide: what he might like for Valentines

A brass knuckles cork screw opener. He may just toss the beer and share that bottle of red with you.

If he appreciates any fine whiskey, he should appreciate this good read.

A snazzy walnut case for his iPhone.

Take him somewhere you don't particularly like to be.

A cool print like this one for the man-cave.

Pampering isn't only for the ladies. Treat him to a hot-towel shave or trim. It's a win-win.

Don't fuss in the kitchen, easy- peasy steak and chips should suffice.

A Ben Sherman Classic, for your Valentines Night Date.

 Cash to splash? Hire one of these for a day.

I think the poor boys are often forgotten on Valentines day, 

should it be all about the girls ?