Feeling in need of something to cheer me up I headed to the city centre for a spot of retail therapy. I say of the spending kind because as often as not I am as happy to browse as I am to buy.
I don’t usually go shopping with a clear as ice idea of exactly what I might purchase but before this trip I had seen on Scout’s (Wendy Crawford’s shop) Instagram feed a red check linen top that I thought would be just the thing for me. However, tall and willowy I am not, so when I tried it on, lovely and all as it is, it just didn’t suit.
All was not lost as I spotted a pair of grey linen trousers by Petria Lenehan, without admittedly great hanger appeal, but when I pulled them on I was smitten. I am hopefully, once the temperature rises, that I will get lots of wear out of them as they will go with a slew of stuff I already have in my wardrobe and I think they will be easy to dress up or down.
I also bought a roll of washi tape and a spool of string, for present wrapping purposes. And then I called a halt before I bought a barrowload of other items. I was especially attracted to the Arran Street East mugs, this was the first time I had seen them in the flesh, they are lovely so I could easily have caved in and added them to my pile except I truly, truly don’t need any more cups or mugs.
I am a fan of The Garden flower shop in the Powerscourt Townhouse shopping centre, the displays there are so enticing and stylish but as the interior is dark I have never got an even halfway decent picture of the shop.
The Garden has a new branch in Temple Bar just around the corner from Scout so I popped in to see it. It has a more contemporary aesthetic than the Powerscourt shop but it works equally well as a backdrop for the beautiful flowers and the chic displays. I couldn’t leave without buying something, as everything is so tempting, so I came away with some potted succulents for my bedside table.
I then headed to Rosted Brown, a café on the first floor of Filmscene in Temple Bar, for a post spending calming pot of tea. I had heard so many good thing about the place but this was my first visit: I liked it and I will most definitely go back.
I treated myself to a Wildflour Bakery caramelized white chocolate and nut cake and it was, by a country mile, quite the best cake I have had in many a year. The helpful Rob behind the counter gave me a small taster cup of coffee and that too was good.
Just Add Attitude 
What a lovely day of shopping and eating. I love seeing the shops in your town. Everything looks wonderfully quaint and so beautiful.
It was a lovely day. My favourite type of shop is a small independent one and I am lucky that there is a goodish selection of these in Dublin.
Me too!
😉
It looks like you had a wonderful time! Retail therapy is one of the best things in life! And the beauty of buying in indipendent stores is that you get unique items that really reflect your style and personality!
Hello Francesca, retail therapy is indeed one of the best things in life. I really, like independent shops for all the reasons you state. I hope you all have a good weekend. Bx 😉
Glorious!!!!!
Thank you. *waving* Bx
What a fabulous day you had! Retail therapy is a wonderful thing sometimes. I just discovered washi tape a year ago and I love to use it when wrapping presents. Thank you for sharing your fun excursion with us 🙂
Hello Heather, I too have recently discovered washi tape, I love that it comes in so many colours and patterns. And, of course, that it has so many uses. Happy Weekend! 😉
What a fun day…love the beautiful flower shop, so springlike.
Bring me with you 😉
Hello Tomomi, *waving* towards your part of Ireland. 😉
That sounds like a perfect sort of day – shopping followed by a delicious treat! One day I will visit there and go to all these places for some serious shopping… 🙂
That cake was absolutely delicious. I hope you get to visit Ireland one day. 😉
Sounds like a lovely way to spend a few hours. You can’t go wrong with linen trews and your gifts must be beautifully wrapped 🙂
I think the linen trews will be most useful for summer dressing. Thanks for your comment. 😉
I was expecting more of Paris. Did I miss something? I’ll backtrack 🙂 Not that there’s anything wrong with pretty shops in Dublin. Why did you need cheering up and are you sufficiently boosted now? Or can I help? (vane Jane! 😦 ) Be happy- Spring’s coming!
Hello Jo – No you didn’t miss anything, I hope to do another Parisian post soon. Thank you so much for your kind offer it is much appreciated, everything is ok. 😉
I checked back 🙂 Have a sunny happy Wednesday!
Thank you so much. And you too have a sunny happy Wednesday. 🙂
What a beautiful city Dublin is! I honestly had no idea. Seems you had a laid back & relaxing day of shopping, even if the top you initially wanted wasn´t right. I feel with you – if it doesn´t suit, then it doesn´t suit. I´m not a tall person either!
I hope you get to see Dublin one day. I am not tall at all, quite short in fact, to that top sadly just didn’t suit. Thank you for your comment.
I just found your blog and I’m so glad I did! I recently moved right outside of Dublin and we go in all the time but I’ve been looking for some places to visit to switch things up from the normal Grafton Street/Temple Bar areas. Your photos are lovely, thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Sara Beth. I agree it’s good to explore shops that are little away from the main shopping areas. 😉
Some fine retail therapy, but isn’t it vexing when you see something that you love but it doesn’t love you when you try it on.
Totally vexing. Luckily I found something else to buy. 😉