eclectic shabby chic @ Yesterdays

I have a cool auntie who's travelled the world, lived in France, Italy, Nepal and Hungary and loves surrounding herself with beautiful things. Her charming house is like a box of treasures, I love spending time at her place (I secretly hope that since I'm her favourite niece, I will inherit all her lovely bits one day). Walking into Yesterdays is a little bit like a visit to my auntie's. 

This beautiful shop has a feel of someone's living room. Someone's with a great taste and love for all things unique and beautiful. Yesterday is full of all kinds of everything: if you like shabby-chic, this is where you will love. There is a lot of elegant pieces too. Tiffany style lamps and lampshades, beautiful mirrors in all shapes and sizes, decorative knobs & hooks, and interior design books which will help transform your house into a home. Pretty Cake Stands, Egg Cups, candles and accessories. Their Cookbooks will make your mouth water just from looking at them. If I am ever stuck for a nice, unique gift, that's where I go.

And as if all the interior design and decoration cornucopia wasn't enough, they also have a rather tasty range of chocolates and truffles in store!

Yesterdays have another branch in Cork, as well as an online shop, but to soak up is great atmosphere and to get truly inspired you should really visit this beautiful place in the heart of Kilkenny.

counting the days... #KAF11

The circling has been done, the tickets bought and I can't wait for the kick-off of this year's Kilkenny Arts Festival. The programme is a fantastic mix of "something for everyone"- Dance, Theatre, Music, Literature, Visual Arts, Craft and Street Performance, Kids workshops- 9 days Full of Culture with a capital C. Living right in the centre we get the best of  the atmosphere and buzz around the city during these 10 days of August. With all its pop-up galleries, exhibitions and street art performances Kilkenny turns into one big cultural sweet shop. I am so excited, I don't even think about the "more-than-our-flat-can-handle" number of friends we've invited to come to visit us during that time.

Next to the various gallery openings and visual arts treats available throughout the festival following are my personal MUST sees:

• The artist Angela O'Kelly will curate Modified Expression Exhibition at the NCG. And it's all about books, paper, written word! - check!
• Eric Sweeney& 3epkano -The Cabinet of Dr Caligari- a brand new live score to the silent cinema masterpiece- all in an amazing and a bit scary atmosphere
• Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - the name says it all, but have a look here also...

• TC Boyle - the sarcastic and vibrant author in talk about his latest book (*shall read before the talk...)

• Kaleidoscope- an informal concert of classical and contemporary music in the beautiful grounds of Kilkenny Design Centre 
• Body Duet - a thrilling way of ending my Arts festival. 

See you in Kilkenny!!!