2015: My Year in Review

Happy New Year!!

Holy moly 2015 was a jam packed year for me. I didn't even realize how much I had done until making this blog post. I am so grateful for the places I got to explore and for the amazing people in my life.

Dublin, Ireland
This year I went to visit my good friend Kate in Dublin, Ireland. I stayed with her in her adorable home, hiked along the cliffs, explored Wicklow and downtown Dublin and met her amazing family.
Kates Adorable Home

Alfie, my little cuddle monkey

Ha'penny Bridge

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Howth Cliffs

Wicklow

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St. Eulalia Ibiza
After a week in Dublin, Kate, James (Kates Fiance) Anna (Kates Sister) and Gary (Kates Cousin) went to relax and explore Ibiza for a week.


Me in paradise...

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Sunset bongo drum session..

Old Town Ibiza
I fell in love with this place. The cobblestone walkways and architecture nearly made me cry. It felt like I was on a movie set, I couldn't believe this was a real place.

This restaurant in the heart of Old Town was so romantic

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Cowichen Bay

In the summer Andy and I went to visit my friends Curtis and Ken in Cowichen Bay. They were renting an adorable cabin and we stayed in this boho-chic yurt for a weekend.

The Cabin

The Swimming Hole

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Punta De Mita, Mexico

To end off our year with some relaxation, Andy and I went to Punta De Mita, Mexico to lay by the pool, lay by the beach and get massages...

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New Addition

I finally took the plunge and bought myself a new car!! It's been  few years of transiting everywhere, it was time!!

This year was the first year Andy and I got a christmas tree

I can't forget...

I enjoyed spending the year with my boyfriend and best friend Andy..

And I can't forget Robyn..

And my little man Jesse..

Of course the whole year wasn't a crazy adventure. There were highs and lows as there always are but overall it was a pretty good time. I can't wait to see what 2016 brings, so far nothing planned but turning 30, eek!!

Thank you so much for reading. I may not post five days a week this coming year. It may be more like three times but I'm just going to play it by ear.

I wish you all the best in 2016!!

Xoxo- Michelle

An Irish Send Off

My final day in Dublin Ireland was relaxing and heart warming. We didn't get in from Ibiza until 2am so I slept at Anna's house. (James had been staying at his dads house and I was sharing Kates bed.) I slept about a million hours which felt great!!

Alfie

Alfie is Kate and James dog. He is a total sweetheart and little cuddle muffin. When I first arrived in Dublin he greeted me crying he was so happy to see me. Kate said he was acting as if he missed me even though he had never met me. It's amazing to me how animals can sense a relationship between people and if they know their owners like you, they immediately like you.

 Ibiza Send off Dinner

Kate and Anna's mom made a traditional roast dinner with mushy peas, roasties, mashed potatoes and gravy. It was delicious!!

 Pepper

My little best friend!! Pepper is Kate and Anna's moms dog and she is the most adorable, affectionate dog!! Her and Alfie are good friends but they also compete for attention, especially Pepper. One morning Kate had got up before me to go teach a yoga class and when she opened the bedroom door Alfie came in and spooned right into me. Pepper was behind him though and had to get closer to me then Alfie was so she lay down on my head!!

Ireland Send off Dinner

Kate and Anna's aunt Carol made an amazing lamb feast for Sunday dinner before I left for home, Vancouver Canada. Lamb, veggies, mushy peas and roasties. What a treat!! She is an amazing cook. (Pepper was also present for this dinner, I had to say goodbye.)

The morning I was flying home, James woke up at 5am to make me a proper breakfast (sausage, bacon, egg, tomato, toast) and the taxi driver dropping me off at the airport gave me a bar of chocolate!! Canadians have nothing on the Irish when it comes to making people feel welcome!!

Well that's it for my trip to Dublin Ireland to visit my friend Kate and James and meet Anna and the rest of the family. What a warm group of people. I really do want to move to Dublin. Everyone is so friendly and easy going and its quick and cheap to travel almost anywhere in Europe!! Who knows...

Xoxo- Michelle

My First Days in Ireland

I'm here!! I finally made it to Ireland!! I flew in Wednesday morning extremely jet lagged. I wish I was one of those people who could pass out on the airplane no problem but I'm not. My first day consisted of sleeping mostly. I'm staying with my friend Kate in her and her fiance James adorable home in Dublin. I am in love with it. I took a bunch of shots to share with you. Its so cozy. My photos honestly don't do it justice. It was her sisters birthday so we went out for dinner with her and her mom. It was great to meet them as well. Really welcoming people. Then today consisted of exploring Dublin City. I am in love with the architecture and the history in the buildings. 

Home Away From Home

I am in love with my friend Kate's home here in Dublin Ireland. The painted floors, cozy furniture, colourful tile floors and cute and quirky little pieces around the home. It has so much charm!! The back yard fence is lined with Kate's Fiance's shell collection. <3

This will be my home for the next week, sharing it with their cuddly dog Alfie. 

Doorways

We spent a good part of the day wandering the city of Dublin taking in the beautiful architecture. I am in love with brick and it was everywhere!! We checked out Number Twenty Nine, a Georgian House museum. I wasn't aloud to take photos but you can take a visual tour on their website here. If you like home decor its definitely worth checking out.

The Dublin Castle

I love that there is a castle in the city. How cool is that?

Christ Church

Kate wanted to show me the beautiful architecture and the detail in this enormous church right in the city centre. The amount of work that had to have gone into the stain glass windows alone was phenomenal. Take a minute and admire its beauty!!

St. Stevens Green

We stopped and had lunch in St. Stevens Green. The weather here so far has been cooler then Vancouver but sunny. I fell in love with this park. 

So far so good!! I can't wait to see more and experience more of the culture. I probably won't be blogging every day for the next couple of weeks but I'll check in every couple of days.Thanks for reading!!

Xoxo- Michelle