Whether you’re hosting, holidaying, adventuring or unwinding, here’s our tips and tricks from Glossy folk on what to do and where to go …
SET THE TABLE
Annie Dunne founder and designer of Acquerello Home will be launching her new tableware collection featured above and below. The collection is called Scopello and it is inspired by her summer stay in Sicily last year. She loved the coastal stripes and vibrant flora of the Zingaro Nature Reserve. Being totally blown away by the picturesque village – she decided she had to design an entire collection around it. It launches this Friday May 3 on www.acquerellohome.com. Annie shares some tips for our outdoor hosting guide through this link. Number one? “Don’t feel like everything needs to be in pristine condition. Things with a little wear are beautiful in their own way.”
Photographer: Zoe Ardiff
PICK UP PASTRIES
With brilliant bakeries popping up all over the country, find one that is nearest to you – or that is worth a journey! Ciara McQuillan finds bakeries with extra oomph from Elliot’s to Scéal, to Cookie Boy and Breadman Walking. Find one to visit this weekend here.
HOST A LONG LUNCH
Kitty Coles celebrates the Spanish tradition of sobremesa – relaxing at the table after a meal, “the longer we linger at the table, the better we know eachother,” says Kitty. Pick up a copy of THE GLOSS May issue to read more about Kitty’s ideas about the benefits of long lunching. As for the menu, she has created a vibrant and fresh early summer menu which is perfect for a long lunch with friends over the bank holiday weekend. See menu here. @kittycoles
Mozzarella, french bean and pea salad with warm spiced oil and breadcrumbs, a one pot tomato roast chicken with roast garlic salsa verde and for dessert; a sticky honey sponge with lemon poached apricots and cream – delicious. Save the recipes here.
GET CAUGHT UP IN A GOOD BOOK
Edel Coffey’s pick of books for May will keep you well entertained this long weekend. Go over to @theglossmag to keep up to date on her book choice of the week, and pick up your copy of THE GLOSS May Issue to see her top ten choices for this month. One she mentions is Long Island. “One of the most anticipated books of the year is Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Toibin’s long-awaited sequel to his best-selling novel Brooklyn. Long Island (Picador, €13.99) is set decades after Eilis emigrates to America. She has been married to Tony for 20 years, they have two children together and she lives a comfortable life in Long Island. But, in the opening pages, a knock on her door delivers unwelcome and explosive news and she begins to reassess her whole life, including her marriage and the decision she made to leave her family and her home country all those years ago. This is a masterly meditation on love, home, longing, regret and the “sliding doors” moments of life,” says Edel. See more of Edel’s book selection here.
GET SWEPT UP BY A FILM
The weather may be fine this weekend – but as the evening closes in a captivating film could be just what the doctor ordered. These films are available to watch at home and will have you hooked. The Triangle of Sadness on Netflix now has everyone talking. Photograph courtesy of Netflix.
DINE OUT
Want to dine out somewhere new? Ciara McQuillan has you covered. From a new wine bar to South American tapas plus an offshoot of the much loved Big Fan, here are just some of the new places to dine that opened their doors recently. See her new favourite haunts here.
SIT IN A SAUNA
Saunas have become a booming business in Ireland. There are hot boxes popping up all over the country and people are making sure to book in every weekend. Are we surprised? The health benefits of saunas are evident, and those who use saunas can feel it. As far as long weekend plans go, taking yourself out for a swim and then heading to the sauna sounds like a pretty idyllic thing to do. Here is our list of saunas to try this weekend.
UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE
It’s not too early to start updating your summer wardrobe. Whether you’re searching for a wedding guest outfit, planning for upcoming trips, dreaming up outfits for summer’s many festive occasions, or just want something pretty and potentially floral for this weekend’s sunny events – discover these seriously pretty dresses that you’ll wear on repeat. Get some inspiration here.
PICK UP THE MAY ISSUE
Grab your fabulous friends and chic companions and pick up the May Issue of THE GLOSS on newsstands now.
PLAN SUMMER FESTIVALS
From Cannes to Cork and Portmarnock to Phoenix Park, the line-up of festivals this month will ensure there is something for everyone. May Day, Wellfest, Ballymaloe Food Festival to The Burren Slow Food Festival and Cellissimo, a new music festival in Galway city to name a few. Something to consider this weekend, see our list here.