DANDELION DAYDREAMER'S GIRLY GUIDE TO KILKENNY!

What a weekend! We did our first touring Dandelion Daydreamer Vintage party and what a party it was! So many ladies and so many dresses! The lovely host had sent out a vintage dress note on the invite and the guests certainly didn't let her down! After a few hours, and countless bottles of wine later, our vintage van was a lot lighter for the journey home! We stopped off in Kilkenny on the way back the next day, and what was supposed to be a 2 hour pitt stop turned into a 6 hour shopping spree! It had been almost 4 years since I had last been to Kilkenny and I had no idea what I was missing. So ladies, in light of our amazing day of fun there, this post is dedicated to my girly guide to Kilkenny. Happy reading! x

 It is impossible to visit Kilkenny and walk by Bridie's without a second glance! Country kitsh gives a playful touch to this traditionally robust pub/cafe/shop. We were enticed inside by the window display of tasty cakes and kicked our morning off with a strong dose of coffee. The shelves are adorned with jar after jar of the old fashioned sweets your grandad used to buy you and the pub at the back whispers of fun times gone by.

Our next port of call was Butterslip on Rose Inn Street. This jewellery heaven is the kind of shop that eludes you into buying the accessories before the dress! 1 x Glitzy earrings and 1 x bling necklace later and I was a very happy shopper. My sister didn't get away so easily and bought any and every owl cushion or birdie interior treat available :)

 Next up was Yesterdays. I have to warn you, before you go in to this enchanted treasure trove of interior delights, lock away your credit card and try to remember the next pay day is a month away! Although that said, they are having their winter sale and there were bargains aplenty :) Browse through French style mirrors, dainty crystal door-knobs, dressing screens and glistening glassware while Edith Piaf sets the mood. We fell head over heels in love with this ambient boutique and will definitely be back for more very very soon!

By this stage lunch bells will be ringing and its time to treat your tums to a girly lunch in Cafe Mocha. Situated on High Street, this stunning setting is a must for a well-deserved break! Choose from a very appetising selection of fish cakes with a tangy lime and chilli dressing to moreish cottage pie with chunky Mocha chips. Desert is a must, the coffee cake had my name all over it :)

Lunch is over and now it's time to visit Smoking Lily. The lovely Shona has a great eye and has amassed a serious selection of vintage and second-hand pieces to set your pulse racing. Her lofty studio boutique is situated in the Market Slip, beside the sewing shop. The bright red door will lead you there and you won't be disappointed. Looking at my pics again I wish I'd tried to buy/steal/beg for that silver horsie :)

Last, but certainly not least, we have Shutterbug. What originally started off as a photography studio, now has a wonderfully styled second hand shop fronting the showroom. Hand-selected pieces by the stylish Blanaid hang proudly from salvaged white washed wooden doors while their impressive photography portraits adorn the walls. While there, we met the stunning Ashling, who kindly gave us the studio tour. I wish I'd taken a picture of their make-up room, it was every girls dream!

All that hard work over, and it's now time to reward yourself with a nice drink in one of the many many many local pubs! If any Kilkenny locals or regulars have any top tips for Kilkenny please let me know for our next visit :) x