Mod Love: The Irish Way

I had the privilege of taking my boyfriend to his first Irish wedding!

After a good feed of fresh ducks eggs, soda bread and tea, a near hair disaster and rain that came from nowhere... we were ready.

(one of the oldest surviving buildings in town!)

A perfect ceremony. The priest talked about the idea of love and marriage, the town choir sang beautifully and it was nice to just sit and reflect. (It all went without a hitch – until I heard my boyfriend say “pleased to meet you” instead of “peace be with you”)

Then to Johnny McHale’s for our traditional post pre-nupitial drinks.We drank Guinness, met family and friends of the bride and groom, and caught up with old stories. Soaking up the atmosphere you get only in a pub like Johnny's... because this is the Irish way.

(Castlebar, Co Mayo)

Everything is done without a rush. Like pulling the perfect pint - laid back and relaxed... because this is the Irish way.

We hitched a lift to the wedding venue, the beautiful Park Hotel in Mulranny, passing by some of the most spectacular scenery in the west.

(Ariel view of Mulranny)

No traffic jams here, just sheep along the way taking a stroll. It rained for a while... that sidewards rain that you can only get in Ireland!

We ate, danced, and drank some more.  Live music kept the dance floor in full swing.

The craic was mighty and my feet were sore. But ....This is the Irish way!

Mod Mob: Happy Friday

Happy Friday lovely Modettes. We have had so much fun this week with the blog, getting to grips with the tweet box, coming to know the very red and cuddly Rex from T-Rex Custom Clothes, and mostly, connecting with you, our trusty members of the mob. Thanks again for all your comments, likes and shares. It's early days for us yet so we appreciate your support and advice while we are figuring it all out. 

Do you have any exciting events or plans? Emma will be spending her weekend shopping with Mr Dyson for a new lap-top complete with web-cam, so we can finally have that long overdue catch-up on video-chat, and I can see her cheeky face. I will be ferrying the boys to play-dates and soccer games and in between all that searching for the perfect dress for a St. Patrick's Night Ball. I am searching for something shortish, not too risque, in emerald green, and as I know you are a stylish bunch any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

That brings me to what you can expect from Mod Mob next week. Of course us both being from Ireland, we are working on a Paddy's theme, but expect no shamrocks or shillelaghs here, we aim to bring you all that is current, bright, and beautiful, from our beloved isle.  

So as it is Friday here are this weeks favourites from around the web....

fried egg sandwich with blue cheese

a cool parenting tip

super cool greetings cards

easy framing tricks

Russia's Eurovision entry

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and don't forget to join us next week for all that is bright,beautiful, and Irish.

Mod Style: Spring has Sprung

Can you believe the current weather ?  Here in Boston, temperatures reached 65 degrees F yesterday, that's 16 degrees C for you European ladies. Today my biker-boots, skinnies, and long woolly jumper, or sweater for you U.S. girls, was just too much for the burst of spring we appear to be having these last few days. I think its time to pack away the dark winter uniform and go for something a little lighter, in fabric and colour, like the pretty pastels that are all over the internet at the moment. Here are our current spring favourites from around the web.......

Cory Polka & Rose Netted Pleat Dress- boohoo.com

Toothpick jeans in garment-dyed twill- J.Crew.com

Nina Blazer - Veromoda

Cotton Lace Blouse- ASOS

Pastel Block Bucket Bag - ASOS

The great thing is, that they are all available to buy now, online......happy spring shopping y'all.

Mod Love: Tried and Tested Breakup Recipe

This is for anyone that has ever been wounded by a breakup! It's nice to know you are not the only one out there, and  most of us go through heartache once in our lifetime. It's part of life and you will see (in time) that getting "dumped" can be the best thing that will ever happen to you!

(My bible from amazon.co.uk)


“It’s called a breakup because it’s broken, it’s time to dry your tears, put down that pint of ice cream, log out of his e-mail, and open this book to Chapter One” Author's Greg Behrendt/Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt

Easier said than done right? Having your heart broken hurts like hell. The emotions of dealing with a breakup can be overwhelming, lonely and so bloody depressing at times!

My advice is to see it as a journey. It takes time to heal and find your way, so why not try and have fun and learn from it along the way?

Things you will need...

Ingredients:

Time- lots of it

A good dose of Friends and Family 
Love and support 

Tissues (extra soft)

Waterproof mascara
Supply of Hugs
Strong spirit

Instructions:

Listen to the advice 
Cry...but make sure you follow with a good pinch of laughter

Start a new hobby - I joined a running club!
Read 
Meet new people

Exercise
Eat healthy 
Go out, date and have fun!

Make time for that Girly holiday? Or better still go it alone and meet new people!?
Use your time wisely (who knows when you will meet your true love) 

Someone once said to me...How can you expect someone to love you when you don't love yourself?


If you would like more advice, or to chat some more let me know below.

How did you get over your first love? 

A Mod Mob St Patrick's Day Giveaway

While out shopping last night I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the sheer volume of tacky graphic Irish tees on sale for St Patrick's day . If like me you fancy something other than the typical Kiss me I'm Irish, or Top o The Mornin style tee for the big day then look no further. We have called upon our good friends at T-Rex Customised Clothing, to bring you a funky tee giveaway just in time for St. Patrick's Day. 

T-Rex Customised Clothing are an Irish online customised clothing store and they offer a huge range of funny, character, design your own and souvenir t-shirts and hoodies. They also supply to the trade and provide customised garments for clubs, sports associations, stag and hen parties and more. Founded in 2010, their award winning fun and funky T-shirts are 100% Irish Made, 100% Organic and are 90% Reduced Co2. 

They have some seriously cool Irish shirts like the one pictured above, and hoodies for him/her/kids and babies and have very kindly agreed to send one out to everybody in the audience.......only kiddin'.....but they have agreed to send a cool T-Rex Custom Tee of your choice to one lucky Mod Mob reader.

To enter all you have to do is hit like the like button on the T-Rex Facebook page, do the same on the Mod Mob Facebook page and leave a comment below (don't forget to leave your name), and we will announce the winner on our Facebook page on Friday the 9th of March. Oh and don't forget to visit the T-Rex online store to browse their cool designs and pick your favourite tee.

May the luck of the Irish be with you ! (cheesy I know, but I couldn't resist)

Thanks to T-Rex Customised Clothing for kindly sponsoring this giveaway post.

Visit the site here

Mod Mum: whats in a name ?

As you may already know I have recently moved with my husband and three boys aged 12, 8 and 18 months, from Ireland to the USA. One thing that struck me when we first moved here was that all kids address me as Mrs Mannion. It felt strange at first as children in Ireland usually call adults by their first names and my boys learned fast that this was no longer acceptable. 

I remember always addressing an adult by their last name, there were no first name options. That is how it was and we never questioned it.When did this change ? I don't rightly remember how it happened but by the time my children were going on play-dates, they were on a first name basis with the parents of their friends. It appears acceptable now. 

Did I miss something as a parent ? Should I have enforced that they used Mr. or Mrs. in order to show respect to the adult in question ? I know that growing up we respected adults because that is how were we raised, not because of what we called them. 

For me, I don't mind my children's friends calling me by my first name but yet I complain about some kids showing me a lack of respect. 

Do you think that this is something you should think about as a parent ?

Mod Mob: Weekend Bliss

Sometimes it seems there is always so much to do and so little time to do it!

Brenda and I were chatting during the week about the everyday stresses life can bring sometimes. You know the score. House hunting, teething baby, sleepless nights, work, man troubles.... just a few examples of what life can throw at us all. Sometimes all at once!

So here's wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend....

Take at least one hour in your day to light your favourite candle, take a long relaxing soak in the bath. Enjoy the peace and calm....

(jomalone.co.uk)

As I have no idea (yet), how to deal with a teething baby we would welcome any advice from our Mum's out there too! My advice. A Gin and tonic. Large.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Emma & Brenda x