“There are some things I know for certain: Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.” – Alice Hoffman

Ben and I were driving down the N11 when we came across a gorgeous lavender harvest sale. It’s one of my favourite plants, so we pulled in for a look. Turns out, there are organic lavender fields in Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow and, every summer in July, Fragrances of Ireland host a lavender harvest party. 

There were bunches and bunches of beautiful, vivid, freshly cut lavender everywhere, as well as fresh plants, lavender oil, soaps, and even honey made from the bees that feast on the lavender. 

I loved seeing the different shades – from deep midnight blue to rich violet – and taking big, greedy gulps of gorgeous lavender-scented air. 

If you follow me on Snapchat, you’ll have noticed that I picked up quite the haul! 

Definitely one of the prettiest pit stops we’ve made in a while! If you’re a lavender lover, they’ll be there again this weekend – head to lavender.ie for info on opening times and directions.

Rhubarb martinis, tangy Irish oysters, pink pickled eggs and charred, earthy beetroot. A salad dressed with bright, edible flowers. Feasting on a giant cut of freshly caught halibut. Buttery potatoes. DIY Irish coffees laced with Teelings whiskey, and heavenly mouthfuls of buttermilk tart.

(If you’re hungry and reading this, I’m very sorry.) 

Last Friday, Ben and I headed to Kildare Village for Lens and Larder, a gorgeous pop-up dinner celebrating Irish food that was a total treat of an evening. Some snaps after the jump!

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