The loves of my life Caroline Foran
The bestselling author, who is one half of GAFF Interiors, tells Elle Gordon about her favourite people, places and things
The person
Jo Linehan, my partner in crime and the other half of GAFF Interiors. She motivates me, keeps me in check, brings out the best in me, and I just feel really really good when I’m around her.
The memory
When I wrote my first book, Owning It: Your Bullsh*t Free Guide To Living With
Anxiety [published by Hachette], I submitted it to my editor and, much to the surprise of my imposter syndrome, she said it wasn’t terrible. In fact, she said it was very good. It didn’t feel real then, and it still doesn’t feel real now, despite having held on to the number-one non-fiction spot for 16 weeks running. The feeling of achievement made for a moment to remember.
The moment of the day
Those glorious few seconds in bed, right before you drift off, when you’re utterly peaceful, and you know you’re about to have the greatest slumber of your life.
The song
Survivor by Destiny’s Child. I can’t listen to it without dancing aggressively and air-punching and feeling empowered, as though I’m about to conquer the world. “I watch ‘When Harry Met Sally’ probably once every two months, and I quote it endlessly”
The movie
When Harry Met Sally. This is a movie with such perfect nuance, it just never gets old. I watch it probably once every two months, and I quote it endlessly.
The hero
My fiance, Barry. His cape is invisible, but I can see it. I think the world would be a far better place if everybody had a Barry in their life. He’ll be morto now.
The book
It will always be Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. If I was to have one book forever more, and only one, this would be it.
The gadget
The remote control. I was the youngest in my family at home, so I never had the luxury of changing channels as I wished. Now that I have my own place, I take great pleasure in monopolising the remote.
The outfit
I like to wear comfy, cosy clothes that I get lost in. Jeans, an oversized boyfriend jumper, clean new adidas Originals and socks that can’t be seen.
The friend
My mam. She is the greatest, most loving and kind and brutally honest — when I need her to be — friend. There is nothing I couldn’t tell her, and nothing I haven’t told her. We even talk about sex.
The accessory
Any of my pairs of spectacles. I’ve thought about having laser eye surgery, but I’d lose such an important accessory.
The hobby
I’m extremely lazy, physically speaking. I also have a short attention span. The thing I do most often is make Pinterest boards for current, upcoming and future interiors projects.
The pet hate
When meetings could have been emails. That’s probably up there with the most frustrating pet hates.
The beauty product
Mac Strobe Cream. It’s more about the confidence it gives me than how it looks, because I wear it under foundation, so you’d hardly know it was there. It’s my beauty elixir.
The holiday
I’m about to go back to Croatia, which is one of my favourite places on earth. It’s close to home, but it feels tropical and otherworldly. Bliss.
The piece of advice
Trust your gut — we have instincts for a reason. Any time I’ve ended up in a situation that didn’t serve me well in my life was because I ignored my gut feeling.
The drink
Lidl Prosecco. With a raspberry garnish.
The hotel
The Dean Hotel in Harcourt Street. The decor is world class, and it’s stylish without being stuffy.
The bar
Dick Mack’s in Dingle, Co Kerry. My parents live in Dingle, and I’ve spent time here all my life.
The part of my body
There’s no one part that I adore or loathe entirely, but I’m quite content with my body as a whole. As I get older, I’m learning to love the rogue beauty spots; the dimples on my bum; the ankles that are more like cankles.
The smell
Garlic and onion sauteeing on a pan.
The taste
Nutella off a spoon. I love the feeling of pure, unadulterated indulgence.
“Any time I’ve ended up in a situation that didn’t serve me well in my life was because I ignored my gut feeling”