Finished. Finally.

And so, another college year is over. It all ended last night with an exhibition of our final project. You can see a part of mine above. I also wrote a bit about it here. I shot portraits of the most influential women in my life, asked each of them what the most important or valuable thing they learned was and then I made it all into a zine. It was printed by The Newspaper Club and seeing the finished product delivered to my door made my week, it is so so beautiful and felt so real.

A part of my own essay and some photographs from the project were featured on the Optiko blog this week too.

I am feeling pretty exhausted today but it’s a mighty nice feeling being on summer holidays…especially as the sun is actually shining today! I have no immediate plans except relaxing and eating and watching lots of my newest (old) addiction.

Happy Friday folks, I hope you have a lovely weekend :) 

xoxo

20/52

A portrait a week, every week, in 2013.

—Cillian

At six years old Cillian was apparently totally smitten with me when I was born. Looking back at baby photos I can attest that I was equally so with him. And still am…most of the time. I mean it’s hard to ooze admiration and respect for a brother when he is holding you by your ankles over the kitchen floor. Ha!

The first time I remember Cillian told me he loved me we were walking down the stairs and even though our family say this to each other all the time I knew that this was special and not to look at him or make a big deal…so I just said ‘I love you too’ as cool as a cucumber. Another of my favourite memories is of the day we spent hours building a sand town in the sandpit at the end of the garden, I remember feeling so special and lucky to have such a cool older big brother who wanted to hang out with me.

Cillian is loud and fast and has more friends than I could ever count and it is impossible to keep up with him. He can be mean and a big ole bully at times but he most definitely has a heart of gold underneath it all. He is always here and there and everywhere but thankfully, most of the time if I do need him he’s there willing and able to lend a hand or an ear or a hug. Cheesy cheese, just how I like it. 

Strandhill, Co Sligo.

Running down the biggest sanddune in Strand Hill cures all ills and blows away any lingering wintery cobwebs. I would highly recommend it. 

Shiny and Sparkly and Diamondy

Aoife & Gary are engaged!

To say that my heart is full up of love after this weekend is an understatement. I could not be any happier for my beautiful sister…it is such a treat to see her so excited and full of the most wonderful kind of anticipation. G-Dawg did so well and took her away to a lovely hill by the sea and a fancy hotel and they managed to keep it a secret for over 24 hours! Although I must admit I totally knew it was going to happen and all day on Saturday I was on edge…every text message, phone call and ring of the doorbell had my heart leaping out of my chest. She is a cruel sister for making me wait like that all weekend but I didn’t dare ask her.

Congratulations sister and soon to be brother-in-law! xoxo

19/52

A portrait a week, every week, in 2013.

—Claire

Claire and I went to secondary school together, and she went to primary school with one of my best friends so I kind of weirdly knew her before I knew her…if that makes sense. What I’m trying to say is that we’ve been friends for a long time. We don’t spend tons of time together and I’m sure there’s a whole list of girls she’d call before me but those things don’t really matter to me because we have a really lovely friendship. Claire is the easiest person to talk to, she always knows what’s going on and can provide good perspective on most situations…and she can always make me (and pretty much anyone) laugh.

Claire is literally the definition of humble and despite being the most talented artist I know she has not got one ounce of arrogance in her bones which is so refreshing. Claire can do anything creative she puts her hand to…drawing, photography, painting; you name it and she will excel.  Oh and she can play sport and is totally beautiful and funny too…I really don’t think that many good genes in one person should be allowed.

Last Tuesday

Last Tuesday I took a ton of photographs and walked all over the city.

To the Luas, from the Luas, to the photo place, to Grand Canal Dock, to Boojum for post photo-shoot celebratory burrito bowls, back to college and all the way down to Mica & Lauri & Caroline’s house…then all the way back to Portobello for tea with my cousin.

A lot a lot a lot of steps were counted that day.

In Mica’s house we shaved his head. It was spontaneous and random and kind of ridiculous because none of us are exactly barbers or hairdressers, but he was a super good sport and we had a lot of fun.

Tuesday was one of those days where I couldn’t help but look around and smile and think that this is what being in college is all about, making things, doing things and hanging out with lovely people.
It’s pretty great really. And—bonus!—it counted as college work, which was ridiculously great.


I hope you have a nice weekend with your lovely people and that maybe the sun shines too, xoxo



**My silly optimism is definitely at it’s peak when the sun shines all day ;) 

Daisy

Seriously.
This dog could give mine a run for her money in the ridiculously amazing and hilarious looking.
Just look at those skin folds.
And her ears.
I think I’m in love.

(and I may just be a little bit jealous of Claire and how she gets to cuddle Daisy every single day)

18/52

A portrait a week, every week, in 2013.

—Aoife

Aoife and I are sisters. She lived for nine years before I was born, already going to school, playing with friends, making lunch and doing the washing up when I was just a baby.

We are, in short, like chalk and cheese. 

When I am lazy she is full of energy. When I am tired she is running or cycling or swimming or stretching. When I want chocolate she wants green juices. When she wants to shop I would rather sew or make something. She knows who’s celebrity is going out with who and what their babies are called and if I ever need some gossip she is the one to contact. We both like to bake but she likes to be a little more than creative with the ingredients and quantities. We both love yoga and I really love getting to do something together ‘just us’ each week. 

She is training for a triathlon and while I often give her grief for working too hard or ‘being totally mental’ I am rather envious of her strength, commitment and attitude to get the job done. I can’t imagine taking on a project of that scale at this time…but I know one day if I do she will cheer me on, just as I look forward to cheering her on in August. I took the above photograph just before Aoife embarked on a 40km cycle after a full day of work at the office. She might not look her most ‘glamorous’ in that sexy hi-vis jacket but she looks like my sister, happy and ready to go. 

I love Aoife —even though we drive each other crazy— and I can only hope that as we grow and marry and have children (hopefully not too far apart!) we will continue to live and work and argue and love side by side because no one knows us quite like we do, and no one ever will.