the ‘i love your blog’ interview

So this little interview-yoke is doing the rounds at the moment and the gorgeous Kelle Belle tagged me to have a whack at it! So below are my answers and hopefully a little more insight into me!

Why did you create your blog?

It’s hard to believe, but I started this blog almost three years ago! In that time I’ve dipped in and out a lot – depending on how much free time I have and how much free head space I have for creative writing. Originally the blog was called “Desperately Seeking Susan” but last year, once I had finished college and was surviving on my own for the first time it evolved into its current form, “Suddenly Susan”!

What kind of blogs do you follow?

I follow a whole spread of different blogs! I love catching up on my friends’ personal blogs – and more recently I’ve been into fashion blogs. I love food blogs for ideas and I’m a total political junkie!

Favourite make-up brand?

I love makeup! Almost love it more than clothes…gasp! I’m a MAC girl all the way and use MAC studio fix liquid foundation, studio finish concealer, mineralize powder and mac  blush too. I can’t get enough of Urban Decay eye shadows and am currently navigating my way around the Book of Shadows II palette. Mascara wise, I’m a Bad Gal Lash (benefit) girl and I use MAC fluid line liner in Blacktrack.

Your indespesible make-up product?

Smashbox primer – nothing like it for keeping my makeup where it should be! I also love MAC Mineralize Skin Finish powder – it can be worn with foundation or without to matte-ify your face!

Your favourite colour?

Red, red, red. It’s actually getting a little ridiculous! One day I realised I was sitting on the bus in a red rain mac, red backpack, red iPhone case – sucking on a red lollipop! Anyone who knows me – knows I’m in LOVE with it.

Your perfume?

This changes – currently I like Lola by Marc Jacobs and Premier Jour by Nina Ricci. It just depends on my mood I guess.

Your favourite film?

Wow, this is a toughie. Hercules (the Disney version), Bridget Jones Diary, You’ve Got Mail and The Patriot. I think this list is pretty varied. I know them all word for word!

What country would you like to visit and why?

Hmm..I’d love to go to Peru or Brazil. My boyfriend was in South America this year and according to him – these are places I need to see before I die.

If we’re talking about a place I’ve already been – then its New York. Always New York. My sister was home visiting last week and I miss her already…

Write a question yourself and answer it: Who’s your bizarre celeb crush?

….Louis Theroux. Hands down. Love the geeky glasses and the cute English accent. Love him.

Hey you! You’re next…

Lovely Disco

All Me Me Me

Journalist on the Run

Goin’ to the Chapel…

Weddings are great craic. I learned this first hand last weekend when Conor’s friend from work got married at Dunboyne Castle, County Meath.

Before that wedding, the last one I had gone to was eight years ago! It was my brother’s wedding (he’s a good bit older than me) and I was the Maid of Honour at 16. To start off with, I was self conscious in a figure hugging dress (I was a size 8 at the time, oh what I’d give to be able to wear that dress now!) I also couldn’t drink. On the craic scale it was a mere 7.

However, grownup weddings – ones where you’re a guest – are excellent! I was pretty nervous as I had never met any of Conor’s work friends before. Fortunately, our table was a good mix of very interesting people from all different professions, the food was scrumptious, the wine was flowing and the dance floor was free for the taking. The band played lots of soul music – and a bit of Stevie Wonder (one of my faves!) which forced Conor onto the dance floor. I’m very lucky and he is quite the mover!

The only downside for me was the Church. I realise that for some people, getting married with a priest and some lovely bible readings is the only way to do things – but its definitely not for me. Now my wedding day is a long way off – but I’m pretty sure I will not have my wedding in a church. For starters, the whole congregation wasn’t arsed answering the responses. The priest was pretty much saying them himself! Secondly, did those lovely bible readings mean anything to the bride and groom? If so, brilliant. If not – then what’s the point? I’d be much happier if my friends and family read meaningful prose or poetry than the same old passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians.

I’d much prefer my wedding to be in a place that means something for me and my beloved. The ceremony should include everyone and be accessible for all our friends and family. And most importantly, it should reflect the journey we’re about to go on.

Anywho – that’s all a bit heavy! The night ended well, with my very ghetto dancing to “Empire State of Mind”. Yes you read that correctly: ghetto. Everytime that song comes on, especially after a few drinks – I think its being played for me and only me. I feel like everyone in the room knows I’m from New York – and therefore I must dance accordingly. *Puts face in hands* When will I learn eh?

Unfortunately, I have no photos of the day – but here’s what I wore:

Love Warehouse at this time of year!

I was going to pop up some lovely wedding-esque photos to give the right atmosphere – but there’s no better place than Leo Doyle Photography! (Did I mention my Dad is a photographer?) His website’s being updated at the moment – but you get the idea!

 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Ireland.

Firstly, my sister is home from the US for a week (and having her here just feels like Christmas!)

Secondly, buckets of snow came down on Leinster last night – which has led to cosy TV watching, tea drinking and biscuit eating.

Anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely detest snow. Gasp I hear you cry! At least let me explain!

It comes from years and years of living in New York, where snow happens and people get on with their lives. Here, no one shovels their paths, the Government has no ice and buses, trains and planes just stop running! It gets mushy, then it freezes and people fall on their arses. Yes, its amusing at first, but after that it’s just sore!

However, since today is the first snow day and things are still pretty – I shall celebrate with a snow-related post.

And just for some amusing nostalgia…

Stay warm and cosy xx

Dear sixteen year old me…

Last week, a book called With Love, From Me… To Me, edited by Joseph Galliano was launched in Ireland. In it some of Ireland’s best known personalities have penned a letter to their sixteen year old selves offering advice, words of wisdom and hope for the future. It got me thinking about sixteen year old me. Who was she? What should she have known? Below is my letter from me to me…

Sixteen Year Old Me with my best friends Tara and Melissa

Dear Suz,

Greetings from 2010! You probably can’t imagine a future you, but be safe in the knowledge that she’s healthy and happy. I write to you to offer you some tips and tricks.

First off, I know you think you’re fat, but that’s a joke. You’re tall, skinny and have long legs. No one is comfortable in a bikini at sixteen, its just a fact of life!

You’re going to go through a big change next year: brace yourself. Mum and Dad will decide that New York is not the place they want to grow old and they’ll decide to move back to Ireland. I know it’s been on the cards for years, but this time they’re serious. You won’t be allowed finish High School and will have to do an extra year for your Leaving Cert. They’ll move you to County Wexford (where you’ve never been before) to a town called Gorey (which isn’t a spooky as it sounds..) and it’ll be a far cry from Brooklyn. Shops close at 6pm and there are very few buses, trains and taxis. You’ll need to say goodbye to a boyfriend, lots of best friends and most unfortunately your sister.

Sounds horrible right? Think again. It’ll be the best thing that ever happens to you. You’ll be devastated at first, but once you get over it, you’ll realise that Ireland is the place for you. And Mum and Dad will be happier than ever. It’s worth it!

Don’t worry about silly boys, they are just that: silly. You’ll have lots of different relationships over the next eight years and each one will teach you something new. You’ll have heartbreak and drama but at some point, all that will melt away and you’ll meet someone real. He challenges you, encourages you, makes you laugh and he’s hot. Sorted.

Make sure you keep up the theatre and drama – it’ll be a life saver when you move. In fact, doing shows and musicals will help you transition into a new school and college. You’ll meet crazy characters, some of whom will be your best friends. You’ll dress up like a fat english police man, you’ll talk about your vagina, you’ll find out what a pantomime is and you’ll be in RENT. You’ll eat, sleep and breathe it. Sounds good eh?

You worry a lot. This won’t change as you get older, but I figure if you hear it from someone who isn’t Mum or Dad, maybe it’ll stick? You worry about school, about boys, about your looks, about the future, about your health and seriously, it doesn’t help. You’re giving yourself more stress than a sixteen year old needs. Let the grown ups worry, enjoy being young and free while you can.

Finally, all your hard work will pay off. You’ll accomplish most of what you put your mind to – despite the worrying.

Love,

Your twenty four year old self,

Susan