in good taste goes to the emerald isle!

So it's been a solid five weeks since I decided to take a huge leap (with one week's notice, none the less!) and pursue my dream of going to cooking school.  After hearing about the famed Ballymaloe Cookery School situated just outside Cork, Ireland on an amazing 100 acre farm, I knew I had found the school for me. I have such a passion for artisanal food and farm-to-table dining, and with the organic and slow food movements well underway, Ballymaloe embodies the spirit and true sentiment of producing exceptional, quality food. Learning to prepare it in a similarly authentic manner under the tutelage of Irish celebrity chefs like Darina Allen, Rory O'Connell and Rachel Allen (of the show "Bake!" on the Cooking Channel) has been both enlightening and exhilarating. And I am absolutely loving it. There is definitely something in the air in Ireland...an intoxicating charm with a bit of mysticism. It's odd only being here for a little over a month and not being able to imagine leaving...

In the meantime, here are a few pictures of where I've been working for the past five weeks (hence the lack of blog posts!) - it's truly a magical place.  Situated just a half mile from the sea near the little town of Shanagarry, Ballymaloe is a hidden gem which I am delighted to call home for the next few months. In between limited breaks in the kitchen, I hope to share some of the wonderful experiences and recipes I've learned so that you all can experience a little piece of this amazing Irish oasis...

Ballymaloe House 

Ballymaloe Cookery School - my new home!

Entrance to the vegetable garden

Magnificent hedges leading to the gardens - the oldest in Ireland!

Darina's amazing garden

A peek through to the little folly...

...with a little surprise inside...

...it's completely encrusted in seashells! 

The most incredible little structure - even the "shell-delier" (chandelier) is made of shells!

Ballymaloe pigs! The school also has its own hens, a small dairy, 

and over an acre of glass greenhouses - truly a sight to be seen!

Pond with geese, ducks and swans near the gardens 

One of the little cottages for students (love the doves every morning!)

...to be continued! xx

flashes of gold.

Umberto Angeloni once said that "the most challenging part of dressing well is knowing how to be elegant while being casual." Add some subtle shine to your next weekend outfit with simple touches of gold. Whether it be hardware on a belt or bag, or a chunky gold watch and bangles, a little gilded accent goes a long way in terms of making a casual look appear pretty and polished. 

 

gold Hermes hardware via Pinterest [Emily Schuman of Cupcakes + Cashmere]

gold watch via habitually chic

gold buttons via jak + jil blog

gold hardware via havelessbemore

mixed bracelets via decorista

gold watch via awelltraveledwoman

gold watch and bangles via best of Pinterest

electric pout.

Bright accessories are often the first choice when adding color to your look, but I love trying new vibrant lip stains to add some punch. Electrify your night out with a matte fuschia lip and simple eyes for a classic, yet modern look. Bobbi Brown advises dabbing eye cream on lips before applying bold lipsticks.  Let lips absorb the cream and then line and fill lips with a complimentary liner to prevent the color from bleeding. Apply the hot pink lipstick or gloss and blot to mute the color, if desired. 

Keep eyes simple with a neutral shadow and chic black liquid liner (I love a subtle, but mod cat eye with this look).  Add mascara and hit the town. A perfectly pink pout will definitely give you some pop!

Image via My Pink World

Images: Top Left: via Edit New York. Top Middle: via Pinterest [The Glitter Guide].

Middle Left: DVF Runway via Mimi Grace. Middle Center: Chanel lipsticks. Middle Right: via Little Frou Frou Fashionista

Bottom Left: via Design Minds. Bottom Right: via Cup of Jo. Collage by In Good Taste [Laura Boyd]

animal instinct.

Animal prints are nothing new - for years, they have famously made statements throughout fashion and home decor.  Often perceived as "trendy" and sometimes even tacky, when done right they exude a richly glamorous, yet fun, graphic style. The zebra print, with its classic black + white color scheme, is the perfect print to add some pop to almost any home [use instead of a bold b+w stripe to add a little more luxe to your look].

Here are a few photos that convey the versatility of this bold print - whether its an over-the-top glam accent to an already rich space, or a colorful version that exudes a graphic, preppy sensibility, the zebra print done right is perfectly divine. 

 Bold, Neo-Trad look from Elle Decor

Jonathan Adler via Elle Decor

Modern glamour from Domino [Elle Decor]

 Stark white with a contrasting focal point from Elle Decor

 Tradtional with a pop of print from Elle Decor

Rich + chic with clean lines via Decor Pad

Monique Lhuillier's stunning Living Room from Elle Decor

Graphic, turquoise prints from Elle Decor

 Dark hues make for a traditional, yet bold look from Elle Decor