Mod Mob Introduces Mod Erin

As some of you may already know I have recently moved from Galway, Ireland to Boston M.A. with my husband and three boys. Finding myself so far from home I have made it my business to keep a close eye on all things Irish from a distance. Tiring of the misconceptions here that Ireland is all about aran sweaters, kilts and cows I have begun to keep a personal archive of all the great things happening in Ireland right now and have made a space for them in the shape of a sister-site to Mod Mob called Mod Erin. There you will find all of the things I find and love on the web, all bright, modern, beautiful, and most importantly Irish. 

You can find Mod Erin by clicking here or on the tab at the top of the page.

Today's post features some beautiful prints by Dublin based studio The Printing Rooms.

Brenda x

Mod Home: family friendly design

Love design, and have a house full of little ones. I love it when the two meet. I just discovered the Blue Ant Studios, where you can find some cool digital art suitable for all the family.

For the little ones .....

Alphabet of design classics 

For the teens....

Dieter 

For mummy or daddy...

Saarinen and Poulson

Find designer Joel Pirela here on Facebook, Twitter, or Blogger.

Mod Gift Guide: Tuesday Treats

Spring is in the air, the sun is shining and here are some quick and easy online purchases ideal as a gift...better still for You (I'm halfway through the book, and my scarf is on the way!)

We love Jo Malone scents and candles, looking forward to trying her new Blooms Collection -Order online!

(www.jomalone.co.uk)

Grab your copy of Rules of Civility written by Amor Towles. Sex and the city 1930's Manhattan retro chic style. Think tales of mystery, Martini-sipping, silk stocking and fur!

(www.amazon.co.uk)

Check out these  colourful Retro designed mugs each individually hand crafted.

(photo credit Meggy Moo)

This canary print scarf from Oliver Bonas...because we need this in our wardrobe! Order online

Why not create a your very own beautiful Photo Book. So simple to design and make, and your happy memories will be forever safe! They can be ordered and posted worldwide too.

(www.photobox.co.uk)

Mod Mum: Don't Say Cheese

While uploading photos from our recent trip to Ireland, I noticed that all of the pictures I have of my three boys together are all very alike. It's usually Tommie ( the baby), in the middle of the two older boys Niall, and Conall, all smiling with their cheesy best and usually sitting on a sofa or step of some sort. It's boring ! This month I decided that I am going to make a point of taking some quirkier pictures of them, but first needed a little inspiration.

One of my favourite sites at the moment is My Modern Met. I remembered seeing this great blog post on there called, A Father who creatively captures his Kids about wedding photographer Jason Lee who takes incredible shots of his two little girls. Luckily I did return to this post for a second look as they have since posted his top ten tips for taking great shots of your little ones. 

How cute are they ? 

Feeling inspired ? 

Images - Jason Lee via My Modern Met

Mod Travel: Ireland

In keeping with this week’s Irish theme, here is just a taster of what the Emerald Isle has to offer.

(Oh, bring your waterproofs...the weather can bring a little “Irish Mist” from time to time!)

First up, why not spend a romantic getaway with your loved one at one of these luxuriously restored cottages – specifically made for two! Situated in the heart of beautiful West Cork, close to picture perfect Baltimore and Skibbereen to name a few.

(tourireland.com)

Close by, you can experience wildlife at its best with Baltimore Sea safari in West Cork. Whales, dolphins, basking sharks and even leatherback turtles can be seen drifting along in the summer months! The season starts from April  and you can catch a glimpse of these mammals up close and personal. Not to mention seeing some of the most spectacular rugged coastline West Cork has to offer.

For places to stay in Co Cork visit  Discover Ireland.

Whilst you visit the place we call home - why not try...

• Horse riding in Dingle  
• Take a relaxing seaweed bath in Enniscrone  
• Catch the Blues and Jazz festival in Westport 

Finally, somewhere very close to Brenda’s heart. A visit to Co Galway is a must! With places like the Claddagh, Spanish Arch and the stunning Connemara coast on its doorstep.

(The Claddagh -www.galwaysalbum.com)

(night falls on Kerwan's Lane)

Each year this beautiful county is home to the famous and biggest Oyster and seafood Festival  in Ireland. Taking place this September, the Sunday Times have tipped this as “one of Europe's Seven Best Festivals” Festival Marquee’s filled with live music, sensational seafood, giant party games, fancy dress and challenges.

(world oyster opening championship - main event!)

For more suggestions on how to spend your time in Galway follow this link.

Or you can always email us on modmobdesign@gmail.com Brenda of course is a great source of knowledge and will be happy to share her love of Ireland, especially Galway and all it has to offer!  

Mod Mob: Looking Back to the 90's

This week we are celebrating all things Irish. Mobette and good friend Olivia, suggested a theme for a post. It comes from a conversion we had at work which left us reminiscing and laughing at our style in the 90’s and the general terms we used and remembered.

Coming over from Liverpool at the awkward fashion age of 13. Think bright shell suits and puffed up  pineapple style hair do. No gel in those days. Just swept back with force! Music caught hold in my early teens, and so to granddad shirts, ripped jeans and Nirvana Tees. I even owned a navy fleece...UH!

 It was always battle to get my wardrobe right, so I ended up with it mostly...horribly wrong!

Can you remember what else was fashionable? What do you remember about your own  fashion faux-pas growing up in Ireland in the 90’s?


 Let’s embrace 90's style!

Do you Remember...

Pop button tracksuit pants – God help you in the wind!

Flared jeans – So flared your shoes wouldn’t get a look in

Nike Air Max and Reebok trainers/tackies/runners - with a pump?

Pale Denim coat – Had to be Wrangler or Levi. 

Skirt-Pants -  a pointless garment consisting of a pair of jeans with a skirt sewn on top

Parachute pants – trousers with lots of strings hanging out everywhere

Darkest tan tights – For teenage disco ‘s

Doc Martin Boots - red

Those awkward but Fun years!..Hitch hiking, long summer nights, bushing and teenage discos. 
When a boy would say to your friend “ Eh, my friend wants to know will you Shift him”.
 In Cork it was “ Meet”...Sure how could you say no!

 We want to hear all about your memories, see your fashionable items first hand. Email us on modmobdesign@gmail.com

Mod Erin Style : Irish fashion fix

This Saturday night I will be attending a formal event with my husband, and it being St Patrick's night I want to represent the Irish in style. Of course as always I have left my dress hunt to the last minute, but had I not and planned in advance I could have had the outfit of my dreams on its way to Boston from any of the growing number of online Irish boutiques. 

Let me introduce you to some of my favourites, so that the next time you want to 'represent', you know where to go for your Irish fashion fix.

Described as a 'whimsical wonderland' and run by designers Wendy Crawford, Eilis Boyle, and Margaret O Rourke, Bow is an independent store located in Dublin's Powerscourt Townhouse. In 2011 they launched their online store that stocks a diverse range of Irish designers, jewelry, accessories ,and unique vintage finds. 

Electronic Sheep Rust Cape by Wendy's Wardrobe @ Bow

I love the story behind Chupi, another of my favourite online Irish stores. The founder, Chupi Sweetman, describes her younger self as 'the kid covered with glitter and glue, the one making some new crazy thing out of paper mache'. From there she went on to study fashion and was picked by Topshop scouts in her first year of college and has since added jewelry designer to her name.  Chupi promises that none of their designs are mass produced and that each piece 'is handmade with love in Ireland'. If its colourful, pretty, frocks you 're after this is the place to find them.

Crissy dress in embroidered ebony lace  @ Chupi

If vintage is more your style then you will love Shutterbug. Set up by brother and sister Eoin and Blanaid Hennessy, Shutterbug is both a vintage store and photography studio. Blanaid finds and posts their fabulous vintage pieces onto their Facebook page, where they can be put 'on hold' simply by commenting on the photo as soon as it is posted. 

Shutterbug shop

Finally, my newest Etsy find, Mercury Orchid. Etsy seller Lenita, based in Sligo, describes herself as 'lover of Vintage Indian textiles, Huge, huge, huge sterling silver rings, All things Morroccan, Cats, Travel, Photography, Flea Markets, Books, books, books, Huge leather bags, Potatoes ... full stop, Green eyeliner, Sequins and glitz - And not forgetting the most important ones:), My son, My daughter, My husband'', don't ya just love her already ? I love her for her beautiful statement pieces. I firmly believe that this is the place to invest your hard earned dollars or euros.

MercuryOrchid @ Etsy