THE LOVES OF MY LIFE
The person My mum. She is a tower of strength and is so supportive, motivating and inspirational. I feel like I won the mum lottery The memory Childhood birthday parties. I’ve so many fond memories of balloons, cakes and face-painting! I loved it all The moment of the day My first coffee. It sets me up for the day. It’s like a ritual The song Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners. It reminds me of summers as a kid, full of great fun and memories The movie Goodfellas. I’m a sucker for a dramatic gangster movie! I have watched it way too many times The hero My brother. The bravest person I have ever met The book The Road Less Travelled by M Scott Peck. It’s my go-to self-help book. I learn something new every time I pick it up, it’s thought-provoking The outfit There is nothing I love more than getting dressed up and going to the races. I love planning the outfit. I seem to have a weakness for a red dress. Thankfully, I can make the hat to compliment the outfit — perks of the job, I guess The accessory Hmmmm . . . let me see, a hat! My all-time favourite hat has to be the Mondrian Hat. For me, it represents when I really discovered my own unique style as a milliner The gadget My phone. As much as I hate to admit it, my phone is an extension of my arm. I do think it’s important to take a little break every now and then, and do a phone-free day The pet hate I have a very low tolerance for poor table manners. There are no excuses The friend I am fortunate enough to count some of the most amazing people as my close friends. This is one of my favourite quotes about friendship, “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything” — Muhammad Ali The piece of advice Whenever I get nervous or scared, I tell myself, ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. My mum used to say it to me as a child
The part of my body
My hands. Without my hands, there would be no hats The beauty product Red lipstick. It’s the ultimate beauty product. Everyone who knows me knows I won’t leave the house without it The holiday I’m very fortunate to have been on many incredible adventures, but my favourite has to be to San Sebastian, Spain. It was a holiday that ticked all the boxes. Sun, sea, sand, incredible food and wine, a little shopping, fun and relaxing The drink A Pornstar Martini. The sweet vanilla and vodka flavours are balanced by the sharpness of the passion fruit and complemented by a shot of Prosecco. Everything you want in a drink The hotel The W, Montreal. I love modern hotels, but not those that are too clinical or cold. The W is beautifully designed and finished, and it’s contemporary with a boutique feel. The service and staff are incredible, too The bar Although you definitely won’t get a Pornstar Martini there, O’Brien’s on Leeson Street has to be my favourite pub The hobby I’m a well-known night-course addict — that’s where my millinery journey started — and I love printing; etching in particular. And stained glass, too The celebrity Daphne Guinness. I am a big fan, for lots of reasons. She is a big hat wearer, but she also seems to have an air of mystery about her. She would definitely be at my celebrity dinner party The virtue Manners. I think the importance of manners is underestimated. It almost seems like a dying art these days. There is nothing more admirable than good manners The vice A bag of cheese and onion Tayto. What can I say? I also find it hard to say no to a Tayto sandwich — fresh white bread is essential. It’s a weakness The smell Freshly cut grass! There is nothing like walking through Herbert Park on a spring day when they are cutting the grass The taste Etto on Merrion Row sometimes has semifreddo on the menu. It’s a half-frozen dessert and, trust me, it’s to die for! It’s by far the best dessert out there. Yum