Hello Dublin!!!!

I heart Avoca!!!!
Let me start off by saying...Jessica, you evil person!...I love that you sent me here! Avoca is the equivalent to Anthropologie in the states. My poor dad...girlie, girlie, girlie...everywhere you turn!

So, let me tell you...my best friend Tara has been due to have "Who Number Two" on the 26th of December. I was pretty sure she was going to have her the day that I left, but apparently, she (Baby Flikk) was quite comfortable in her moms belly. But, my take on the whole thing is...I purchased a fabulous pair of PJ's from Avoca...God must have told her about these pj's...because she came out around the same time I had purchased them for her (probably thinking she was going to get to wear them!) Little did he let on that I'm in a different country & they are a size 3-6 mo's....good lure though huh?!?
Elaina Nicole Flikkema~ Born Dec 27th 7lbs 10ozs--21in long! Cannot wait to finally meet you in person Lainey!!!

Back to the purchases... Lauren ended up getting her first "wooby" (Mr. Mom reference). It's a cashmere zip-up hoody--pink & red Zandstra stripes!

For me, I bought a scarf & a cotton (obsessed w/ the feel of cotton) throw-on jacket. Nothing big...more fun to buy for the babes!

Bus Tour
We went for the bus tour today...which I'm so grateful for doing! No stressful driving (most of you know it's difficult for me as it is in the states.) This allowed us to see Nassau Street, Dublin Castle, mmmmm...we went to a coffee shoppe...starts w/ an "S"..Silk?? something...I'll figure it out! Any way, at the coffee shoppe we had Turkish Delights & Coffee. (I'll let you google that.) Then Christ Church, St Patrick's Cathedral, and.....

P-I-N-T Pint!
The Guinness Storehouse! This made my dad smile! We went on the tour...which I believe is seven floors of brewery. I have several pic's of this...to the point that I think that I took most of my pictures so far at Guinness...need to re-establish priorities....nah! : )
The best part was making to the Gravity Bar....John Mayer popped in my head as we approached. We were welcomed with a pint & an amazing view of Dublin! Afterwards we we stopped at the Guinness gift shop...which we had already stopped there before the tour. Beforehand, I had on my "practical hat"--I didn't find any purchases to be of importance. But, after the Gravity Bar & a pint...I bought a postcard, t-shirt, 2 chocolate bars, & a toucan bottle opener--all so very important things to have! (meet my inhibition-less self) I also talked my dad into getting getting 2 Guinness grill-lighters/bottle-openers for both him & my uncle. (I would like to think it was my sales-skills...but maybe he was care-free too.)

O'Neill's
The cab driver advised us that this would be a great place to get food...& of course a pint. (Did I mention that during the holidays...you can't find a restaurant..but an open pub is just around the corner.)
O'Neill's has an area w/ a "carver". They serve all kinds of great food! I had Sheppard's Pie & red cabbage! Comfort food!

Luggage Arrived!!!
Not much more to say about this...except for Happy Mom=Happy Trip.

Darts
I asked about playing darts here in Ireland tonight. His response: "You'll take your eye out!" Does anyone else see a "Christmas Story" pattern here?!?

Temple Bar
Many up's & downs from people on whether or not this was worthwhile to go to...my input: A Must! Maybe it was because the live bad was fantastic and the atmosphere was lively...
We heard everything! Dolly Parton (Jolene & 9 to 5), Hallelujah (I know kd lang sings one version of this...), Simon & Garfunkel (The Boxer), & so many more. The best was how everyone started singing Sweet Home Alabama as if they they were all from there! I love how music is so universal!!!

Food for thought: Did you know that Cadbury "Crunchie" bars are packaged sea foam?!? ....Heaven!!!!