oh hey there rachel
Enjoying your own company is something that takes getting used to. From simple things to eating alone to the bigger, scarier notion of solo travel, learning to enjoy your own company can be difficult.
I remember the first time I sat and had dinner alone. I was in London for London Fashion Week, my first solo trip. The friend I was staying with was in college and I wanted to eat somewhere nice. I remember noticing how strange it was, because my phone was dead. I didn't have that blanket of endless scrolling for protection- it was just me and the food. And it was completely fine.
I love people watching. It's something I do every day and probably one of the biggest distractions in my life. Sometimes I'll make up background stories for people as they go about their everyday lives, creating an imaginary narrative for a fictional character in my head.
Wearing; Blazer- Bershka // Top- thrifted // Skirt- Pretty Little Thing // Boots- ASOS
In first and second year of college, I was always seeing or dating or texting someone. Nothing ever really lasted more than 3 months, with maybe two months max in between finding someone new. But since I've come back from America, there's being nothing. Nada. Maybe it's a good thing, maybe I've upped my standards, maybe I just know what I want in a person now.
When you hear about people taking a break from dating, it's usually to 'find themselves' or what they want. After 8 months of being a singleton, I can guarantee that I don't feel any different than I did before. But I've learned to enjoy my own company more than ever before. I've become closer to my friends, spent more time with my family, focused on college and my career.
Being alone doesn't equal loneliness, and I'm glad I've finally figured that bit out.
Rachel x
being alone.
4.13.2018
Enjoying your own company is something that takes getting used to. From simple things to eating alone to the bigger, scarier notion of solo travel, learning to enjoy your own company can be difficult.
I remember the first time I sat and had dinner alone. I was in London for London Fashion Week, my first solo trip. The friend I was staying with was in college and I wanted to eat somewhere nice. I remember noticing how strange it was, because my phone was dead. I didn't have that blanket of endless scrolling for protection- it was just me and the food. And it was completely fine.
I love people watching. It's something I do every day and probably one of the biggest distractions in my life. Sometimes I'll make up background stories for people as they go about their everyday lives, creating an imaginary narrative for a fictional character in my head.
Wearing; Blazer- Bershka // Top- thrifted // Skirt- Pretty Little Thing // Boots- ASOS
In first and second year of college, I was always seeing or dating or texting someone. Nothing ever really lasted more than 3 months, with maybe two months max in between finding someone new. But since I've come back from America, there's being nothing. Nada. Maybe it's a good thing, maybe I've upped my standards, maybe I just know what I want in a person now.
When you hear about people taking a break from dating, it's usually to 'find themselves' or what they want. After 8 months of being a singleton, I can guarantee that I don't feel any different than I did before. But I've learned to enjoy my own company more than ever before. I've become closer to my friends, spent more time with my family, focused on college and my career.
Being alone doesn't equal loneliness, and I'm glad I've finally figured that bit out.
Rachel x
“Loads of the girls in work are like her. Real sensible types, all from down the country. One of them wears her county jersey every casual Friday and then throws on a pair of earrings for going to the pub afterwards.”
According to authors Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, that’s one of many descriptions of what an ‘Aisling’ is.
Described as a ‘small town girl living in a notions world’, Aisling is a heart-warming girl from the country that moves up to ‘the big smoke’. We all know one, whether from college or work or even one of your own friends. Based on the popular Facebook group with the same name, Oh My God What A Complete Aisling is akin to the Irish version of Bridget Jones.
She works a 9-5 job at PensionsPlus and goes out every Saturday at home with her best friend Majella, who’s lost more phones than she can count. It’s double vodkas and diet coke while she’s in the local at home, or a Coors Light in McGowans of Phibsboro if she stays up for the weekend.
After seeing all her friends and half the town of ‘Ballygobbard’ get engaged or married, Aisling has had enough. She’s been with her boyfriend John for as long as she can remember, and there’s no sign of a ring on the cards.
A trip to Tenerife with John turns out to be the holiday from hell, so she flees to Dublin in search of something to turn her life around.
All of a sudden, her life has turned upside down. She decides to move up to Dublin for good (“because that N7 would have your heart broken”) and finds herself living with Sadhbh from HR and her friend Elaine. Aisling is thrown into the deep end of oversized smock dresses and vegans, a world she’s never seen before.
She heads to Berlin with her new housemates, exploring underground bars and the life of hipsters. She couldn’t be further from Tuesdays at Coppers, but she gives it her all and embraces her newfound life.
The number one bestselling book isn’t just a humorous tale of Aisling’s trials and tribulations, but one that can only be described as wonderful and scarily relatable. A death in the family throws Aisling off course, and her broken heart is one she has trouble mending.
The Facebook group the book is based on has over 48,000 members to date. Since the book was released last August, the authors have signed a two-book deal to continue Aisling’s tale, showing that readers want more of Aisling’s life.
Breen and McLysaght are right- we all have an Aisling in our life. Maybe we’re the Aisling in our group. It’s a book that will have you rolling on the floor, but might make you shed a tear. Because while we’re laughing, we’re laughing with Aisling, not at her. She’s the kind of girl you wish you had as your best friend.
Rachel x
(originally written for The College View)
Oh My God What A Complete Aisling | Review
“Loads of the girls in work are like her. Real sensible types, all from down the country. One of them wears her county jersey every casual Friday and then throws on a pair of earrings for going to the pub afterwards.”
According to authors Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, that’s one of many descriptions of what an ‘Aisling’ is.
Described as a ‘small town girl living in a notions world’, Aisling is a heart-warming girl from the country that moves up to ‘the big smoke’. We all know one, whether from college or work or even one of your own friends. Based on the popular Facebook group with the same name, Oh My God What A Complete Aisling is akin to the Irish version of Bridget Jones.
She works a 9-5 job at PensionsPlus and goes out every Saturday at home with her best friend Majella, who’s lost more phones than she can count. It’s double vodkas and diet coke while she’s in the local at home, or a Coors Light in McGowans of Phibsboro if she stays up for the weekend.
After seeing all her friends and half the town of ‘Ballygobbard’ get engaged or married, Aisling has had enough. She’s been with her boyfriend John for as long as she can remember, and there’s no sign of a ring on the cards.
A trip to Tenerife with John turns out to be the holiday from hell, so she flees to Dublin in search of something to turn her life around.
All of a sudden, her life has turned upside down. She decides to move up to Dublin for good (“because that N7 would have your heart broken”) and finds herself living with Sadhbh from HR and her friend Elaine. Aisling is thrown into the deep end of oversized smock dresses and vegans, a world she’s never seen before.
She heads to Berlin with her new housemates, exploring underground bars and the life of hipsters. She couldn’t be further from Tuesdays at Coppers, but she gives it her all and embraces her newfound life.
The number one bestselling book isn’t just a humorous tale of Aisling’s trials and tribulations, but one that can only be described as wonderful and scarily relatable. A death in the family throws Aisling off course, and her broken heart is one she has trouble mending.
The Facebook group the book is based on has over 48,000 members to date. Since the book was released last August, the authors have signed a two-book deal to continue Aisling’s tale, showing that readers want more of Aisling’s life.
Breen and McLysaght are right- we all have an Aisling in our life. Maybe we’re the Aisling in our group. It’s a book that will have you rolling on the floor, but might make you shed a tear. Because while we’re laughing, we’re laughing with Aisling, not at her. She’s the kind of girl you wish you had as your best friend.
Rachel x
(originally written for The College View)
Nostalgia. "A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a person or place in the past," or so Google says.
For me, it's a blessing and a curse.
Nostalgia is like looking through old photographs without needing them there in your hands. It can be found in memories, in people, in a place, in an old ticket stub.
It's nice to look back and think of all the good memories made, the moments passed. We're constantly reminded how precious life is and that we should accept each moment as it comes. Sometimes, at the time, you don't appreciate what's in front of you. But fondly reminiscing about the past can help that.
I'm a hoarder. On my walls in front of me as I write this are old concert tickets, ranging from Paramore to Wolf Alice and Hairspray the Musical. Beside me are polaroid photo prints detailing my life from 6th year to last year. At the time, some of the people in the photos were my favourite people, and now I can't remember the last time I spoke to some of them. I keep telling myself I should print new ones.
In that sense, nostalgia is a curse. It's a constant reminder of the people that are gone, of things that didn't go right. Of bad timings, missed opportunities and regrets. Sometimes I find myself thinking so much about times in the past that I fall down a spiral and forget to enjoy the moment of today.
That's the worst part about nostalgia- once it grabs you, you forget to enjoy today.
While I look back and think about how much I miss certain times and places and people in my life, I know in a few years time I'll think the same about today.
Because that's the most comforting thing about nostalgia- knowing that some day in the future, today could be a memory I miss.
Rachel x
nostalgia.
3.16.2018
Nostalgia. "A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a person or place in the past," or so Google says.
For me, it's a blessing and a curse.
Nostalgia is like looking through old photographs without needing them there in your hands. It can be found in memories, in people, in a place, in an old ticket stub.
It's nice to look back and think of all the good memories made, the moments passed. We're constantly reminded how precious life is and that we should accept each moment as it comes. Sometimes, at the time, you don't appreciate what's in front of you. But fondly reminiscing about the past can help that.
I'm a hoarder. On my walls in front of me as I write this are old concert tickets, ranging from Paramore to Wolf Alice and Hairspray the Musical. Beside me are polaroid photo prints detailing my life from 6th year to last year. At the time, some of the people in the photos were my favourite people, and now I can't remember the last time I spoke to some of them. I keep telling myself I should print new ones.
In that sense, nostalgia is a curse. It's a constant reminder of the people that are gone, of things that didn't go right. Of bad timings, missed opportunities and regrets. Sometimes I find myself thinking so much about times in the past that I fall down a spiral and forget to enjoy the moment of today.
That's the worst part about nostalgia- once it grabs you, you forget to enjoy today.
While I look back and think about how much I miss certain times and places and people in my life, I know in a few years time I'll think the same about today.
Because that's the most comforting thing about nostalgia- knowing that some day in the future, today could be a memory I miss.
Rachel x
Over the past couple of months I've become utterly obsessed with Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. I've had Edge Of Seventeen on repeat and been stalking pinterest for Stevie style inspiration. Flared jeans are something I've been wanting to try for a while now, and I've had this pair since last year, but my short little legs never really looked right in them. So, the DIY chick within me took a pair of scissors and cut the ends off- distressed denim is still a thing, right?
Outfit | Stevie Nicks, Eat Your Heart Out
6.02.2016
Over the past couple of months I've become utterly obsessed with Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. I've had Edge Of Seventeen on repeat and been stalking pinterest for Stevie style inspiration. Flared jeans are something I've been wanting to try for a while now, and I've had this pair since last year, but my short little legs never really looked right in them. So, the DIY chick within me took a pair of scissors and cut the ends off- distressed denim is still a thing, right?
5 months of Summer holidays from uni. That's 5 months of Summer nights, and I plan on making the most of them. Even though Irish weather is always more on the dismal side, there's something about those Summer nights that I love. Nights spent among the best of people with great food and great drinks. With people that make me cry with laughter and wearing an outfit that makes me feel good inside. Those are the nights that make my Summer a memorable one.
I may be broken hearted and a little bit lost but I'm going to make this Summer a good one- I can feel it.
Bardot top- Forever 21
Culottes- River Island
Shoes- F&F at Tesco
Earrings- Penneys/Primark
Outfit | Those Summer Nights
5.28.2016
5 months of Summer holidays from uni. That's 5 months of Summer nights, and I plan on making the most of them. Even though Irish weather is always more on the dismal side, there's something about those Summer nights that I love. Nights spent among the best of people with great food and great drinks. With people that make me cry with laughter and wearing an outfit that makes me feel good inside. Those are the nights that make my Summer a memorable one.
I may be broken hearted and a little bit lost but I'm going to make this Summer a good one- I can feel it.
Bardot top- Forever 21
Culottes- River Island
Shoes- F&F at Tesco
Earrings- Penneys/Primark
I've been a terrible blogger these past few months. Really, I have. Ever since starting university last September, my posts have becoming less frequent and my inspiration has been slowly diminishing. Now that Summer has arrived, I've been thinking a lot about what caused the creative block, and how I plan to overcome it.
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
5.24.2016
I've been a terrible blogger these past few months. Really, I have. Ever since starting university last September, my posts have becoming less frequent and my inspiration has been slowly diminishing. Now that Summer has arrived, I've been thinking a lot about what caused the creative block, and how I plan to overcome it.
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