Best of… August 11

I am aware how far away from August we are at this stage, but months/ seasons are less important to me lately.  Here in Abu Dhabi, there are really only two seasons: Hot and Unbearably Hot.  My solution is to buy a bicycle, enticed by the possibility of a self-created breeze… and how pretty these girls look:

via Hey Pretty Thing and The Sartorialist

Why is it that ladies who ride bikes always look so beautiful?  Is that a universal law or something?  Like Tennis Players and Musicians.  Always attractive.  Why is that?

via Aqui

Other summery looks I might still get away with include piling on tons of bracelets together, denim cut-off shorts (I’m still searching for the perfect pair), colour-blocking bright shades, mixing patterns and messy beachy hair.

via Hanelli, That’s Chic and Aqui

On the other hand, Rumi reminded me of all the things I miss wearing.  Leather and boots of any kind just don’t work in the desert.

via Fashion Toast

via Hey Pretty Thing

I spotted this on Hey Pretty Thing and a little gasp escaped me. I’ve wanted one of these since I was born (slight exaggeration).  Isn’t it so pretty? If anyone knows where I can purchase online, that will ship to either Ireland or the UAE, drop me a little mail. I would be eternally grateful. 

via Vanessa Jackman

I’m baaaa-ck

Hello.  I missed you.

Lots of things have been going on in my life in the last month, that I wanted to share, but couldn’t.  It turns out that it was more difficult than anyone could have envisioned to get set up with the internet over here.

Hello Internet.  I have missed you too.

Thank you to the man who brought the internet back.  I’m sorry I didn’t share the white rum with you, but it was kind of weird of you to ask.  Seriously.

I’m back now and that’s all that matters.  I have some catch-up posts and other fun stuff all ready and I can’t wait to start blogging again.

I really did miss you.

Fun Pix Fridays #18

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

More things to be happy about (14)

Island music;  Wynken, Blynken and Nod;  ambling through the best boutiques;  fresh croissants in bed;  a sharpened pencil;  studying self-help books;  mocktails;  handling the first few minutes when meeting someone new;  take-off;  throwing a towel over the radiator for when you step out of the shower;  guests for dinner;  cobbled streets;  recalling lines of poetry;  presents to wrap;  taking time-off;  The Muppet Babies;  faking your way through unintelligible lyrics;  lavish displays of chocolate;  the bus arriving on time and with empty seats;  time-tested friends.

En Français

I am supposed to be able to hold a short conversation in French by now.  It’s on my list.  Who is going to help me with this?

The Sexy Detail

In my post on French style, I mentioned not forgetting the sexy detail.  I was reminded all over again when I spotted this on The Sartorialist last week:

I’m actually not talking about her legs (amazing, yes).  I’m talking about the t-shirt knotted at the back.  If it weren’t for those pins, your eye would be drawn to that often overlooked, but distinctly sexy body part: the small of her back.  Am I right?

And while I’m on the subject, is there anything in this world sexier than the side boob?

More things to be happy about (13)

Charlie Brown and Snoopy;  the line you draw on a cheque that prevents someone from writing ‘and a million euro’;  time to browse;  floor-to-ceiling windows;  when the soup of the day is your absolute favourite;  action photography;  party sounds behind a door you’re about to open;  smelling the bakery on your street;  Spirographs;  piling leaves into huge heaps;  shaking a sugar packet;  suds;  gazing out the bus window;  writing in the sand;  the teacher you remember;  ice-cold Coke;  people who act like experts on a topic after reading one article in the newspaper;  lounging by the pool;  Mothers who believe that Weetabix will cure any illness; Game Set Match.

Thing #68: Rent Bicycles for the Day

Fun thing.  Fun, fun, fun.

Back in April, something miraculous occurred:  Both Roisin and I were not working (on a Friday) and it was about 25°C.  In Ireland.  In April.  I already said that.  Naturally, we took advantage of the fortunate circumstances we found ourselves in.

We packed a picnic and took the ferry to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór (which, my international friends, translates as ‘the big island’- we Irish are renowned for our creativity).  We rented bikes.  We had fun.

You may have read here that I was quite a late learner when it came to riding a bike.  I was kind of nervous to get on one again, especially having not been on one in years- but it turns out that the whole ‘it’s like riding a bike’ talk is true and you just pick it right up again.

Everyone should do this. 

Update:  The Day Zero Project website is up and running again, I just forgot to tell you.  You can see my list here- or set up your own list!  If you are doing this, please email me- thelmafrayne at gmail dot com.  I love reading other people’s lists.

€5 was donated to Habitat for Humanity for the completion of this thing.  Click here to read about the cause and donate online.

Fun Pix Fridays #17

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

This post is dedicated to my good friend Lorraine, who I won’t see for a while.  Don’t worry Lorraine, I might be leaving but ‘Fix-it-Fridays’ are going nowhere.

Thing #25: Drink Two Litres of Water Every Day for a Month

This is one of those things that I’m not really sure why I put on the list.

Maybe I was tired of listening to celebrities attribute all their shiny hair and perfect skin to the miraculous benefits of drinking more water (not plastic surgery).  Maybe I wanted to reap the rewards of this untapped* natural resource myself.

Maybe it was just a filler.  It can be difficult to think of 101 things you want to (and will actually) do.

Anyway, following three separate attempts (spanning several months) and approximately 1,714** bottles of water later, I did it. And the results are in.  If you drink two litres of water every day for a month:

• You will not feel thirsty.
• You will pee like Seabiscuit.
• You will not enjoy this thing.  You will wish you hadn’t put it on the list.
• You may or may not see an improvement in the condition of your hair and skin (results were inconclusive).
• You will continue to drink more water after you finish the thing.  You will have to remind yourself to stop counting the bottles you consume.
• You will donate €5 to The Water Project, a charity who provide water to people who will never complain about too much water.

*excuse the (intentional) pun

** guesstimation

Best of… July 11

This month:  more pictures, less words.  You like that?

The Sartorialist

Fashion Toast (Boots by Isabel Marant)

Cupcakes and Cashmere (3.1 Phillip Lim dress, Zara top)

Facehunter

City Brewed

Zipped

Elle Street Chic

Hanelli

Vanessa Jackman

That’s Chic

My Daily Style