Lisa Hannigan

I know it's been a while since I posted about songs. But I've been going back to my roots, my Celtic music, the one I used to danced to at festivals with my mum. Nothing anyone would want to listen so I waited to finally get something anyone can appreciate either it's the instrumental part or simply the lyrics...

Let's begin by telling you a little bit of where I came across the singer in the first place...

Ondine... A romantic Irish movie about a woman who got caught in a fishnet, a drunk fisherman who is divorced, has a beautiful daughter who turned out to be sick (saddest thing ever), and the mystery brought by the famous selkies. 

Side note: Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin (coat) to become human on land. The legend plays an important role in Scandinavian, Irish and Scottish mythology. Their myths are romantic tragedies, a common theme for land/sea romances, however, it is the Selkies who suffer rather than their human lovers and spouses. 

In the movie, the young woman fished out of the sea in Ireland, sings to the fish, and gives much luck to her fisherman... But like every romantic story, there's a pitch of sadness... And that is up to you to find more by watching the movie yourself.

I quite loved it, it brought me back "HOME".

And that is the backstory of where I came into listening to Lisa Hannigan. One of her song, the one right below, came at a good part... 

Lille- 

Sea Song- 

Fall- 

Snow-

Lisa Hannigan is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. Bright in every way, I fell in love with her songs, the way she writes, and how peaceful it is... Compare to everything else I may have on my Itunes, this is by far what I would listen if I want to fall asleep to "home" or read a book. 

Now, I don't expect everyone to love it, like it or even bare with it, but I just thought I would share what I have been in love for a couple of days now. 

Next time, you may have to deal with what I grew up with, and trust me it won't be as peaceful or English for that matter...  Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, and Breton are old languages which usually brings me back home no matter where I am... So until next time! 

" My music will tell you more about me than I ever will." 

~Bella

February? Love is in the air?

I don't remember a time when I had a real Valentine's Day if that even exists...

Valentine's Day may be the best day in someone's life or the worst. For me... It's just another day at work... Sounds pathetic but trust me, it is just another day! Quite nice of a day, but then again, I don't believe you need to show someone you love them only one day a year! Can't you just go to the movie, the restaurant or the massage place on any day of the week?

Alright, I'm a bit negative towards the whole Valentine's Day, but I have reasons to be one.

Despite this negative side and how much people spend that day... It has its perks such as movies, flowers, candles,  and obviously the classic chocolates...

And TODAY, chocolate made it to the blog! No need to discuss or explain the reason behind such an obvious day.

So CHOCOLATE...

Dangerous addiction, trust me on this one!  It's supposed to be a girl's best friend right after diamonds, and in my case, it's my number 1 addiction, my first love... First, white chocolate, then milk and now I'm turning into the dark chocolate... I'm turning into the dark side, and I appreciate it a lot.
It's supposed to be healthier, and I just think it's another piece of heaven. I hated it growing up, and now, I'm all about the dark chocolate. Bitter and healthier. Okay, I'm half describing myself, I'm pretty bitter!

Enough about this, and let's start with the juicy things...

Since it's Valentine's Day, I want people to understand that there is more bad chocolate than good ones! And trust me, it's hard to find the right ones, the ones that don't give you a stomach ache.
Being born in Europe, I know that you either love Belgium or Swiss chocolate, and it is quite a debate! Everyone wants to be right, no matter what may be the reason.

First, I believe everyone has either ate some or either heard of it... Ferrero Rocher, Fine Hazelnut.
Originated from Italy, this a chocolate which consists of a whole hazelnut (roasted) covered in a thin wafer shell filled with hazelnut chocolate, and then covered in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnut. Quite the hazelnut chocolate, so if you are a hazelnut lover, go for this one... It's a favourite!

Second, Lindt has to be another favourite. The brand is top number one for Swiss chocolate and despite the fact that it is a company, they make the best chocolate, amazing chocolate! So if you want some decent amazing chocolate, this brand will give you some pleasure!

Third, Milka... Alright, I was raised with this brand, and the chocolates are quite special. Many types of chocolate with the milk bar, it's for every milk chocolate lovers! I still don't know where to get it in California, but I'm searching!

Fourth, Nestlé, Quality Street which is a selection of individual tinned toffees, chocolates, and sweets... First created in England! Each bite is a surprise! Obviously, this box was given during the holiday, and everyone knew which colour to take and not to take.

Fifth, also my favourite... Kinder Bueno... My personal favourite, the one I always went for as a kid, and still to this day, I will go for this chocolate bar, hazelnut cream filled wafer with chocolate covering... Once more made by the Italian confectionery maker Ferrero.

Valentine's Day may not be the best holiday for everyone, but let's enjoy the fun of receiving some extra love and intentions coming from our partners!  

"Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions, Chocolate understands."

~Bella

Happy Birthday little Brother!

~Bella

February's list...

February started last week and believe it or not, I bought multiple books since 2018 has started... I have started a few and just bought the others just because I wanted! Not sure how I am going to make it to Ireland with the cases of books, between the weight and the amount I currently have and the ones I'm planning on getting... Anyways, it's not, for now, I have time to figure it out!

February, the shortest month of the year, also means my brother's birthday which is coming tomorrow! Come back the 8th for a special quick post on him!

The list isn't going to be long, only five good books, I had to buy just because I didn't feel like I could walk away from them!

Little one... At Swim-Two-Birds from Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan)
"A wildly comic send-up of Irish literature and culture, At Swim-Two-Birds, is the story of a young, lazy, and frequently drunk Irish college student who lives with his curmudgeonly uncle in Dublin. When not in bed (where he seems to spend most of his time) or reading, he is composing a mischief-filled novel about Dermot Trellis, a second-rate author whose characters ultimately rebel against him and seek vengeance. From drugging him as he sleeps to dropping the ceiling on his head, these figures of Irish myth makes Trellis pay dearly for his bad writing."

Everyone has either read or heard about the story, the novel, and the author... If you haven't, I would tell you to go check it out because this is a great book no matter how famous or unfamous it may be!

The next three novels were written by Anne Enright, I got into her writing, giving me the urge to read more from her.

Little two... The Gathering
"A dazzling writer of international stature, Anne Enright is one of Ireland's most singular voices. Now she delivers The Gathering, a moving, evocative portrait of a large Irish family haunted by the past.
The nine surviving children of the Hegarty clan are gathering in Dublin for the wake of their wayward brother, Liam, drowned in the sea. His sister, Veronica, collects the body and keeps the dead man company, guarding the secret she shares with him- something that happened in their grandmother's house in the winter of 1968. As Enright traces the line of betrayal and redemption through three generations, she shows how memories warp and secrets fester. As in all Enright's work, her distinctive intelligence twists the world a fraction, and gives it back to us in a new and unforgettable light."

I read the first page and it captured me fast... Quickly fell in love with the way she writes!

Little three... Yesterday's Weather
"Enright's characters are haunted by the ghosts of the lives they might have led- lit by new flames, old flames, and flames that are guttering out. A woman's one-night stand is illuminated by dreams of a young boy on a cliff road, another's is thwarted by a swarm of somnolent bees. A pregnant woman is stuck in a slow lift with a tactile American stranger, a naked mother changes a nappy in a hotel bedroom, and waits for her husband to come back from the bar. This collection includes some of Enright's best love stories as well as her latest works."

It's something different, something dark and yet brilliant. It's something you rather not get into, but still, do cause you are drawn to every story.

Little four... The Green Road
"The children of Rosaleen Madigan leave the west of Ireland for lives they ever could have imagined, in Dublin. New York and various third-world towns. In her early old age their difficult, wonderful mother announces that she's decided to sell the house and divide the proceeds. Her adult children come back for a last Christmas, with the feeling that their childhoods are being erased, their personal history bought and sold."

It says that Anne Enright is addicted to the truth and it shows in every sentence. And that makes every detail more important than anything!

Little five... Ghosting from Jennie Erdal
"Ghosting moves from startlingly vivid evocations of an austere Scottish upbringing in Fife to superbly rendered portraits of the people- the young and beautiful, the titled, and the eccentric- with whom Erdal worked at a London- based publishing house. None is more affectionately or intriguingly drawn than that of Tiger himself. In temperament, Tiger and Erdal couldn't have been more different. Yet their relationship weathered storms of all kinds, from temper tantrums to serious financial reversals, with a tenacious bond that is both a wonder and an enigma."

Despite the fact that I love reading, and despite the fact that I don't set myself a specific schedule when it comes to reading, I read whenever I can, which is not too much lately... But hopefully, 2018 will be your year. The year where you will be escaping real life...

"Fairy Tales are more than true not because they tell us that dragons exist but because they tell us that dragon can be beaten." - Neil Gaiman

~Bella