Travel Series: The Carton House - A Night of Luxury and Relaxation

Well here it is, after a few weeks of reflection after this magical stay I am finally getting to share with you my experience staying in the outstanding 'Carton House Kildare'. I was lucky enough to win this stay through a Facebook competition quite awhile ago, and because it was coming up to my 21st birthday my mother thought it was the perfect excuse to book a luxurious night away to celebrate.

I stayed in The Carton House Hotel in Kildare on the 10th of December. The enquiry on whether a room was available was sent to the hotel just a week before, explaining that it was my 21st birthday weekend and that I have been dreaming, and when I say dreaming, I mean wishing to stay in this hotel for quite a few years now. The Carton House was more than happy to accommodate us and Emma was so kind to make such an availability to my mother and I at such a busy time of year.

We were lucky enough to be treated to a stay in one of their many superior rooms which are just located in the newly renovated wing of the hotel. All superior rooms come with a superior bed, which was something else, it was massive. Being a young lady who has had a single bed all of her life, just this alone was a luxury. A flat screen television, coffee machine, radio system, free high-speed wireless internet, telephone, mini fridge which contained complimentary carton house bottled water(a superb touch), shower, bath(with I took full advantage of). I had two baths in just a one night stay, I just wanted to lay in there forever surrounded by a cloud of bubbles. There was also a complimentary morning paper delivered to our room that morning with the availability of organising a morning wake up call.

We were definitely spoiled as soon as we stepped through those doors as we had complimentary pastries with a letter attached waiting for us as a little token from the kind people of the Carton House for celebrating my 21st birthday.

As you can see from this amazing photo I took that morning, the view from our room was just breathtaking. No matter where you are located in the hotel, the views overlooking the long fields and golf course are just beautiful.

That morning I took full advantage of their gym facilities and had a great workout, the gym really impressed me as it was equipped with a variety of equipment such as weights, cable machines, leg press machines, weighted racks, dumbbells, medicine balls, mats and also had a flat screen television which had all the music channels installed onto it. There is also a long list of leisure services available such as a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, outdoor tennis courts, walking and cycling trails, fishing, golf course, fitness classes, personal training classes.. and that's just to name a few.

One of the activities that the Carton House offers is the Bear Grylls Survival Academy which recently launched at the Carton House, unfortunately due to time constraints I didn't get to experience this as this is definitely an activity I would love to throw myself at as I feel it would really challenge me on a whole new level and it is definitely an activity you wouldn't find yourself doing on the regular basis. Hopefully, if I'm lucky enough to return to the magical Carton House I will be able to experience this. If you are as intrigued about this survival academy as I am then you can find more information at www.beargryllssurvivalacademy.ie

As you can see from the inside of the hotel, it was just like walking through a winter wonderland.

Now, to the best part, THE BREAKFAST.

Wow oh wow, I have never seen such a wide selection of food in all my life. There was everything you could imagine, what I appreciated most about the breakfast at the Carton House is that they cater for everyone. No matter what your dietary requirements or preference, as you know I am quite a healthy person so I usually opt out of breakfast the next morning and go to breakfast somewhere else, as it is usually just full of your regular sugar-filled cereals and the everyday 'full Irish' but this is definitely not the case in the Carton House. To list just a few of the breakfast options available; porridge, homemade granola, yogurt, a variety of freshly cut fruit such as melon, pineapple, mixed berries, a table of toppings such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dried banana, desiccated coconut, a table of different teas, both hot and cold, juices and they even had freshly made smoothies. They also had a buffet for a mixed grill which consisted of sausages, pudding, bacon etc. A table of cereals and not just the sugar-filled ones, they also had muesli, weetabix, bran flakes, cornflakes etc. What I found most amazing was they had a dedicated chef at his own table serving up freshly made eggs no matter what your preference, poached, scrambled, or even sunny side up. He cooks it right there in front of you, and you cannot have a hotel breakfast without some cheeky pastries and homemade fluffy pancakes.

I cannot end this blog post without mentioning the amazing and friendliest staff I have ever got the pleasure of meeting. From the second we arrived at the hotel, they made us feel so welcome and everything was about us and every little detail of our stay was just perfect. Thank you to John who took care of our luggage and gave us a very hilarious and unforgettable spin on the golf buggy back to the entrance of the resort. It topped off a great luxurious stay.

I would highly recommend a stay at the Carton House hotel without a shadow of a doubt, If you are looking for an excuse to get away or treat that special someone to a night away in a hotel which will make you feel like you are in another world and not leave disappointed then the Carton House is a stay you need to experience. Go and treat yourself, you deserve it.

You can find all packages and selection of all rooms available here: http://www.cartonhouse.com/

I hope you enjoyed this post, It was a pleasure to write as I had the most unforgettable and luxurious night away which just made my birthday so special and precious.

Love Rouxella x

SUPERFOODS? Giving into the hype?

 "A non-medical term popularized in the media to refer to foods that can have health-promoting properties such as reducing one's risk of disease or improving any aspect of physical or emotional health. So-called superfoods may have an unusually high content of antioxidants, vitamins, or other nutrients." - medicinenet.com

One of the biggest new 'trends' of 2016 has got to be the fascination with everything health related and the whole topic of superfoods. Are they just a hype? Are they really as beneficial as they are broadcasted to be? These are just a few of the questions that are circulating around the internet recently. In my opinion it is not just about the foods that are seen as 'superfoods' but focusing on getting as much whole foods as I can into my daily life. The whole concept of discovering all these new whole foods and their benefits is a huge interest of mine, I enjoy opening up my mind to new discoveries and really broadening my knowledge on nutrition. I have mentioned just a few of the 'superfoods' which I incorporate into my everyday life.

"Your health is your wealth"

Fruit 

Fruit are an everyday staple for me. The no 1 thing I do every day is to make sure I get enough fruit as It is perfect as a snack between meals or if you are craving something sugary to really kick those cravings to the curb. They are perfect topping on porridge, yogurt granola bowls, smoothie bowls and of course they are a necessity for my favourite superfood smoothies. I also like to have some fruit with my lunches as I like to have variety with my meals and include all food groups such as protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Berries are a great superfood. They contain great amounts of fibre. Fibre is a problem with most people in today’s society as they don’t get enough of it, it is vital for a healthy and happy digestive system. My favourite berries that I use throughout the week in a variety of ways include;

•  Raspberries have 8 grams of fibre per cup used and also contain ellagic acid which is an acid with anti-cancerous properties.
•  Blueberries are amazing as they have several health benefits, they are a great source of antioxidants and are also great at protecting you from premature aging. They also have inflammatory properties which help with intestinal conditions. Blueberries are also much known for helping people keep their memory sharp as they age. 

Apples are a great source of soluble fibre. Apples are a great for lowering blood cholesterol and glucose levels. They of course contain vitamin C which is well needed in these cold winter months especially as well as throughout the whole year. Vitamin also helps form the connective tissue collagen, keeps your capillaries and other blood cells healthy and also aids in the absorption of iron. Apples are a great on the go snack and are so easy to pop into your bag for a time where you feel peckish and you don’t want yourself grabbing a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps.

Bananas are great for thickening up smoothies and are the perfect accompaniment as toppings on your breakfasts. Loaded with potassium they are an amazing super fruit. Potassium can lower your blood pressure and is one of the highest fruits which contain Resistant Starch, a healthy carbohydrate that fills you up and keeps you fuller for longer. It also boosts your metabolism.

Green Vegetables

Consuming a variety and high amounts of green vegetables is one of the best things you could do to change up your lifestyle and it has the most amazing benefits for your body. Green vegetables are well known for their high fibre content and they are loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants including beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Sulforaphane. They also provide folate which lowers your risk of heart disease and cancer by slowing down wear and tear on your DNA. Vegetables are a staple of my dinners every day. It is key for me to have well balanced meals throughout the day, having a variety of vegetables really does make you enjoy it more and using spices is the most perfect way to really create that love for vegetables and helps with including them in more and more meals.

Broccoli was definitely one of those vegetables that I hated as a child but I found as I started to change up what I ate and started to eat a lot more whole foods that my taste buds just almost expanded and I enjoy a lot more food which I disliked a lot previous. Broccoli is a great source of fibre. This also results in lowering cholesterol levels. It also has a great impact on your body’s detoxification system, it activates and eliminates the unwanted nasties in your body. It contains high levels of Vitamin A(beta-carotene) and Vitamin K. I love having boiled and roasted broccoli with my dinner as it can be paired with any dish.

Spinach is great for bulking up your salads and including in many dishes from omelettes, curry’s, tomato based sauces such as Bolognese, soups, quiches etc. I also love adding spinach to my superfood smoothies as it is an easy way to get in those greens. Spinach is widely available all year round so it is a vital vegetable to be included in the weekly shopping list. We all know of Popeye’s great love for spinach and how it made him super strong but that is not the only benefit of spinach.

It is also well known for restoring energy levels and improving the quality of blood in the body. The main reason for this is that it is a great source of Iron, Irons main role is the function of the red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. Spinach has high levels of Vitamin K, A C and also folic acid.

Sweet Potato

I only stated incorporating sweet potato into my lifestyle over the past 2/3 months as I never really reached for it when out shopping and when I did I never really knew what to do with it as from previous experience I could never get that ‘Crispy’ outside. But I found the technique after some trial and error and I am now addicted. Sweet potatoes are an amazing source of Vitamin A(beta-carotene), 1 medium sized potato provides you with over 4 times the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A. Vitamin C which of course helps fight off flu’s and colds and Vitamin B6 which helps with reducing the risk of heart problems. They are also a great source of Vitamin D which we Irish people don’t get a lot of from the sun as it is non-existent a lot of the time. Vitamin D plays a vital role in restoring energy levels and helps with our healthy bones and teeth.

Nuts

Nuts are a great source of unsaturated fat. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids which are great for maintaining a healthy heart and improving your mood. Nuts are also packed full of protein which of course is vital for healthy bones and muscle repair. They are also a fantastic source of fibre which leads to a healthy digestive system. Nuts are perfect as breakfast toppings and are also great as an on the go snack which you can just pack in your handbag for any times when you’re feeling peckish or in need or a ‘pick me up’. My favourite nuts which I am constantly restocking are almonds which are rich in calcium and high in Vitamin E which is great for healthy and clear skin. Walnuts are known as the superior nut as they are full of antioxidants and contain a high amount of anti-cancerous properties. They also contain a lot of mono-unsaturated fats which are known as ‘heart-friendly’ fats which lower the risk of bad cholesterol. Lastly but by no means least are Hazelnuts, a great source of folate and amino acids which are a great contributor to a healthy heart. DO NOT be afraid of nuts as they are HEALTHY fats which are vital for the overall functioning of the body and for healthy hair and skin. They are not the same fats you find in chocolate bars and crisps.

Chia Seeds

You might not think it but chia seeds are something which everyone should be adding to their meals. Chia seeds absorb up to ten times their weight in any liquid. This liquid may be water or milk or a milk substitute. In just 2/3 teaspoons they contain over 10g of fibre and a whopping 5g of protein. Per gram of chia seeds contains 6 times more calcium than that in milk, an outstanding 8 times more Omega-3 than salmon and a mind blowing 15 times more magnesium than broccoli. They are the perfect addition to any meal no matter if it’s for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. As a breakfast, it is a great addition to porridge, smoothies and also the creation of chia pudding in which you simple just add 200ml of milk/milk substitute to 2 tbsp of chia seeds. For my lunches and dinner, I simple just add them to stir-fry’s or any sauces I make or simple just sprinkle some on top of your dishes. Do not underestimate the power of the chia seed.

Oats

I am a true lover of oats. My favourite breakfast of all time has to be porridge as it fills me up for a long period of time and it is also a well-balanced meal. I love experimenting with flavours and toppings and this also adds to the nutritional content of my oats as I am always adding nuts which provide me with some healthy fats and I love topping all my breakfast meals with chia seeds which add to the protein content. Fruits are a must for me with most breakfast as I always seem to crave fruit in the morning. Oats contain a particular type of fibre known as beta-glucan. This fibre is great for lowering cholesterol levels. Oats contain a more soluble fibre than other grains such as pasta and rice which in turn will lead to a slower digestion and as a result keeps you feeling fuller and more satisfied for longer. Believe it or not oats are a great source of protein. This type of protein is called ‘avenalin’ which can be found in many vegetables. Oats are very high in Vitamins and Minerals. Just a few to mention are Manganese (development and growth), Phosphorus (bone health), Vitamin B1/Thiamine, Iron (transportation of oxygen in the blood) and also Zinc (overall health).

Greek Yogurt

I usually have Greek yogurt every second day if not daily, it is great for breakfast and also to eat as a snack with some delicious toppings. Of course it is well known as a great source of calcium. Calcium is a must for healthy bones and teeth.  It is also a great source of potassium, zinc and Vitamins B6 and B12. What I love most about Greek Yogurt is its excellent source of protein, it contains twice the amount of protein than regular yogurts. This makes it perfect for anyone who finds it hard to get some protein into their daily intake and also for people who work out and are looking for a great post workout meal, adding Greek yogurt to that meal would provide you with a great source of protein which is essential especially after a workout to build back up your muscle tissue and repairing any fibre damage caused while working out. Greek yogurt nutritional values can vary from brand to brand but they usually are all within the same nutritional values. The Greek yogurt which I purchase is Libertè or Glenisk. The difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurts is of course the texture, Greek yogurt is a thicker and creamier consistency and it also contains probiotic benefits, which in turn is great for the digestive system and is lower in lactose than any other regular yogurts.

Spices

Spices are a necessity for me as I put them on everything from my chicken, fish, meat and most importantly my vegetables. The perfect way to add some flavour to vegetables is with spices. I like to add a variety of spices to all my meals as they contain massive amounts of minerals and they also make the introduction of more vegetables into your meals easy.

Chili: Vitamin C, fighting infection, help reduce muscle pain and aids digestion.

Paprika: Vitamin A and E, great source of Iron, carotenoids which can delay the deterioration of your eyesight.

Cinnamon: Aids Digestion, balances blood sugar levels, an amazing antioxidant.

Mixed Herbs: Anti-Inflammatory, improves bone density, antibacterial properties, reduces blood pressure.

Rosemary: Boots memory, relieves stress, helps with concentration levels, antioxidant.

Thyme: Antibacterial, antimicrobial, reduce blood pressure.

Turmeric: Anti-Inflammatory, antioxidant, relief from Arthritis and Cystic Fibrosis, improved liver function.

I hope ye enjoyed this different yet exciting blogpost, I am thrilled to finally start this new direction in the blog. 

Love Rouxella x

The Liberty Grill Birthday Breakfast...

Hello Ladies and Gents,

It feels amazing to finally get to put up a blogpost after over a month of straight studying and exams. It was a really stressful time as they always are so I'm glad I finished them and I am very proud of all the hard work I put in. 

It's a tradition for me and my lovely mother to go to 'The Liberty Grill' for my birthday breakfast. The Liberty Grill is on Washington Street in Cork City and it is a very well known restaurant for their excellent food and service. Being me as always, I had to spend the first half of my morning beautifying myself and I also recieved a present of a princess tiara off my parents. Now you may ask, Chelsea did you actually wear that to breakfast? Well yes, of course I did.

Being a usual Saturday morning there was a queue out the door, I felt like such an American lining up for breakfast. But before we begin, Let me just say, The wait is 100% worth it. There are many things I love about the Liberty Grill.There's not a lot of places that I talk so highly about, but 'The Liberty Grill' is without a doubt my top favourite. It holds a special place in my heart.

Food: The food is definitely outstandingly good. It is so fresh and cooked to 'P E R F E C T I O N', every time I go there it just gets better and better and you just know that your meal has been cooked with real passion and precision. Hands up for the very talented Chefs.

The Atmosphere: The atmosphere is so cool and collected. Even though it is a seriously busy restaurant there is no stress or rush around the floor. Especially now that it is the Christmas season you'd think they would very stressed. Most importantly, they have some festive decorations up and it creates a very happy and festive feeling in anyone who enters their doors.

The Unbelievable Staff: The staff in the Liberty Grill are just one of an kind, they really do work to make you feel special and make your dining experience magical. They are so attentive and are continuously making sure everything is as you like it to be. They are a true credit to The Liberty Grill.

I don't go for breakfast or even to the The Liberty Grill that often as I am always busy with college so I think that is why I appreciate and feel so excited going to the Liberty Grill for either breakfast or even brunch. It's a serious Luxury without the luxury price tag.

I would totally recommend anyone to go have breakfast,brunch,lunch or even dinner. The menu can be seen here( The Liberty Grill Menu ). Especially with it being this time of year, treat someone special or even treat yourself. Make sure you snap a picture of your meal like I did, all for the instagrams.

I hope you liked getting a little peak into my magical morning at The Liberty Grill,
Love Chelsea x

The Under €15 Gift Guide For Her.

Hello Ladies and Gents,

For this blogpost  I thought it would be great to show you a few of the things which have caught my eye over the last week or two in an array of stores and which I thought would be perfect as stocking fillers, little gifts for friends or even great as those last minute gifts for the ladies in our lives. Whether it may be a bestfriend, a girlfriend, or even for the older ladies which we love and adore such as our mothers and grannys.

I absolutely love all these gifts and I think there is a great array for every type of person, whether they are more into the beauty side of things or they are a foodie person or a person that is more into the stationery. What I love most about these items is that they are available to buy in store, especially with myself I always love going out and buying my gifts, as buying online gives me a bit of anxiety as I always feel like it wont come on time. Especially when I always leave my present buying till last minute. 

1.Sleek Cosmetics 'The Gold Standard I-Lust Eyeshadow €9.99 //Here

2.Primark/Penneys Makeup Brushes €2.50/€1.50 // Here

3.Real Techniques Miracle Complex Sponge €7.99 //Here

4. Cocoa Brown Bronzed & Beautiful Gift Set €9.99 //

5. Soap & Glory Happy Pamper Gift Set €7.00 // Here

6.Happy Jackson Lunch Box €9.00 // Here

7.Debenhams Set of Three Tea Set In Tube €14.00 // Here

8.The Mindfulness Colouring Book €10.99 // Here

9.Lush Blooming Beautiful Gift Set €12.95 // Here

10.Benefit Tan About Town €12.00 // Here

11.Mood Metallic Rose Gold A6 Notebook €6.00 // Here

12.Border Biscuits Border Fruit Shortbread Gift Selection €9.25 // Here

13.St Tropez Instant Cracker €7.00 // Here

14. Sleek Cosmetics Precious Metals Highlighting Palette €13.49 // Here

Hope ye enjoyed this little gift guide,

Love Chelsea x

Cranberry and White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies.

Hello Guys and Dolls,

Since its the Christmas season I can finally get my Christmas baking started and boy have I started on

a high. The day after I finished my exams I got straight to baking these melt in the mouth 'Cranberry and White Chocolate Shortbread'. I got the Shortbread recipe off a very close friend but I just had to add something to make it even that more christmassy. And whats a better combo than Cranberry and White Chocolate? I really couldn't tell you..

These are so easy to make and take no time at all. What I love most about these shortbreads are how fragile they are, they just melt in your mouth as soon as you take a bite. They feel so smooth and luxurious and they are definitely an indulgent treat. Perfect for this time of year. They can be made into a normal sized cookie which makes around 14-16 cookies or else you can make small little cookie bites which should make around 40.

This recipe as you can tell for my adaptation is that it is so versatile. Other flavour combinations include Pistachio and White Chocolate, Chocolate Orange, Cinnamon and Raisin, Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate, the list is truly endless. You could even dip half the baked Shortbreads in Melted Chocolate and leave to set. That would be glorious, I must try that out myself.

These would also be perfect as a homemade gift to that someone special whether it is a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, parent, grandparent. I absolutely love giving homemade baked goods as little gifts to show my appreciation of them being in my life and who doesn't love receiving food as a present? everybody loves baked treats.

Ingredients:

175g Self Raising Flour
125g Cornflour
50g Icing Sugar
225g Soft Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Cranberries

Half/1 Bar of White Chocolate

Method:

• Pre-heat your oven to 160C. Whizz all ingredients in a food processor or even by hand in a kneading motion(which is what I did) into biscuit dough.

• Once it’s a soft dough, roll out with your hands into log (you can take portions of it and do it this way). 

• Cut off pieces and roll into a small/medium ball depending on what you prefer and with a fork dipped in cold water, flatten slightly. Into the oven on a flat baking tray on top of baking paper for 13-15 mins (lightly golden brown). 

• Once baked move onto a wire tray using a spatula or palette knife (they will be quite delicate and may break up when moving them - gently does it).

• Leave to cool for as long as possible before storing them in a lunch box and into the fridge.Leaving them in the fridge stiffens them up a bit without them losing the mouth melting aspect.

I hope ye enjoyed this blogpost and that it encourages ye to bake as soon as ye end reading this blogpost.

Love Chelsea x

Last Minute Halloween Treats!

Hello my lovlies,

Since its halloween today i thought i might be able to do a quick and easy halloween treats blogpost! Im a lover of all things beauty related on youtube but lately I have seen a lot of beauty gurus put up some recipe videos and because i love to indulge in all things food related i thought id get in the spirit of halloween and show ye what treats i found to be most easiest and so delisious!

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Plain(all purpose) Flour

1/4 Cup of Oil

2/3 Cup of Milk

2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon of Salt

Tomato Puree

Mozzarella

(Topping's to Liking)

Preheat the oven to 180 celsius.This dough recipe is sooo easy and great if you dont have time to prepare it overnight ect, all i did was put the flour,oil,milk,baking powder and salt into a bowl and mixed them together,when it all came together. I then rolled it out in a slightly pumpkin/heart shaped and folded in the sides to give that thick crust look! I then put the rolled out dough onto a oven tray that has some flour on it and prepared it on that. When it was on the tray i put the tomato puree ontop with the mozzarella which i tried cutting into ghost shapes with little cut up red pepper eyes and sweetcorn,I also added some grated cheese to taste but if you want the ghost to be visible id advise you not to do this. I left it cook for about 15 minutes.

Spooky Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Cake Mix

1 Egg

5 Tablespoons of Water

100g Butter

225g of Icing Sugar

Red Food colouring

75g Milk Chocolate

For this recipe I used a cake mix as it was so much more convient and it made it so much quicker but if you want to do it from scratch please do! Once out of the oven i creamed the butter in a bowl and added the icing sugar and it then formed butter icing(best ever!). I Then melted some chocolate over some boling water and piped little and big dots for the eyes and mouth onto a clear sandwhich bag and left in the fridge to harden, While hardening  I used a piping bag to pipe different designes onto my cupcakes ( A Mummy, A Pumpkin, Ghosts) , I added the chocolate eyes and mouth for design and ta daaaah.

Oreo Eye'd Cake Pops

Ingredients:

100g Oreos

100g Milk Chocolate

100g White Chocolate

100g Maderia Cake

M&Ms
BBQ Sticks

I First Bashed the oreos in a plastic sandwich bag until fine. I then used 3 of my cupcakes which i left aside before icing to crush up and add to this recipe, I melted the milk chocolate over some boiling water and added this to the mix, once all together i compressed it into 9/10 little balls and added the sticks. I left harden in the fridge for about an hour. While hardening i melted some chocolate and i dipped the cake pops into the chocolate and made sure the coating was even but i wasn't too precise. I then added the m&ms as eyes, one for each cake pop. Using red food colouring and a tooth pic i drew on little red veins on the cake pops and this really made the cake pops come to life and they tasted DELISH!

Hope ye liked this blogpost as it was quite different,

Love Rouxella x

TRIP TO DUBLIN!!

So as ye all know we all love our little getaways and our mini breaks with friends, family and even our romantic acquaintances ;) Seeing as though i just came back from my trip to belgium and germany just a few weeks ago i still felt like i needed just a lil break with the mother before college started. I love these kind of getaways being honest,as me and my mother are very close and mostly like bestfriends, its always a treat to go away with her and spend a few days stressfree from ordinary life! Seeing as though i stayed in Ireland and we went to somewhere quite near i thought id do a little blogpost for ye and show ye what we got up to and a few of our favourite places to go when we go to Dublin, and before ye even scroll down i must say.. we sure did indulge this break as most of our loves are food places! hehe

The place we stayed was just a few minutes away from o connell street, its called 'My Place'. Seeing as though its peak season right now and everywhere in dublin especially everywhere close to the city centre are so costly, not so much my mom but me for definite was not going to pay over €100 for just a room for 1 night so after our research using trivago.com and booking.com we came across this hotel. We booked a twin room for just €69. We were amazed at the size of the room and the fact that there was 2 double beds.ONE EACH! I was ecstatic to see that i would get a double bed to myself! The room also had a lovely vanity for which i was thrilled that i could do my makeup with ease and also a lovely tray with tea bags and milk ect! The ensuit was on the smaller size with a quite cramped sink but the shower was lovely and was very easy to use! The staff were incredibly nice and next to the reception room they had a chill area in which guest could come down and chillax and play some pool! Great for young adults and for people to meet other guests.
The next day the hotel also kept our bags in a storage room which i was releaved as our bags were very heavy after all our shopping!

As soon as i got to Dublin i wanted to go straight to starbucks, i was devastated when i didnt see any iced teas on their menu as i always wanted to taste one but instead i got the Mango Passion fruit i think it was called. This was amazinggg! Im craving it right now as im writting about it!

For a little treat/snack we went to Ginos on o connell street and sweet lord jesus we got the most amazing waffle ever! I totally recommend everyone to try these. We were absolutely obsessed and even looking at the crepes they were making fresh and the ice creams, i was in awe! They looked absolutely gorgeous and so flawless, it was a true instagram moment i must say.

After our little nap back at the hotel and after getting all done up and pretty we of course went to TGI Fridays. And let me say.. we are NEVER disappointed! By this time we were absolutelty starving so i forgot to take a photo of the main but i of course took a picture of the starter and the cocktail we got! They have a lovely deal of a starter and a main for just €16 and they have such a wide selection and the food is just so amazing!

• For starter i got Siracha Wings which were absolutely deliciousness!! They were definitely for the people who like the chili/spice type wings and i was inlove,and of course they come with the bleu cheese dip just incase they are just a little bit too spicy and which is a must for me, not because theyre too spicy or anything..the just give that variety of taste.

• For the Main i had the 'Cheeseburger Duluxe' and it was scrumptious! The burger was lovely and well cooked which is the only burger i can even look at, i hate any pink in any of my meat. But it was still juicy and not dried out at all! The sauce was just so tasty with the cheese and everything! The chips were just like captain americas chips where you can still see the skin on it and they just tasted so fresh and perfect!

•  For cocktails then me and the mother had the Havana Mojitos..which were just delish and had a nice kick to them. We always get them and the strawberry daquiris so there was no surprise that they were as good as they always are! <3

The next day then we decided to go to the zoo and it was so nice to go there after not being there in like 6 years which is crazy! i will just insert some photos to show ye what animals we saw and i would recommend this zoo to anyone as it is a reasonable price and its such a well cared for zoo! Although it did start to rain 3/4 of the way through which was unexpected for the irish weather we've been having lately it was also a bummer that we had to rush the rest of the way! But enjoy the pictures as it was such a nice experience to have with the moma!

And lastly i would just like to recommend this place called the 'Burger Hut' on Talbot Street. Just go in a order there chip butty and i swear to you it will be the best chip butty you will ever experience! They have a variety of food such as kebabs and pizza slices ect. AMAZINGNESS!

Hope you enjoy this blogpost,

Love Rouxella x