Dolls with great Buns

On Sunday morning a little bit older and not proportionately  wiser after a night out on Dublin's North Great Georges Street I headed across the city for breakfast. This journey was taken on the suggestion of Mrs Seven. She has been trying to get me over to Dolls clothes shop and its immediately adjacent Cafe Bibis for some time but I know the meaning of the word ulterior . This double venture clothes and cake is the work of Petria and Maisha Lenehan and Mrs Seven has been a frequenter of the original Dolls shop on Clarendon Street for some time. I've found the bags hidden at the bottom of the wardrobe.

The shop set behind a smart grey shop front is light and uncluttered with the all important sofa for rest while she has a rummage on the racks. There are some old original victorian shop display cases that contrast really well with frameless structural glass balustrade to the basement stairs. White walls and a parquet floor ad to make up a crisp feel and perfect backdrop to display some lovely clothes. Good to see Petria has some men's lines in stock too.

The cafe takes up less room and there is a glass door link between the two. The seats here are Hans Wegners Y chairs. There is also an option to sit under the canopies outside. I had a very good Eggs Benedict variation chosen from the chalked up back of door menu. All of the food is made by Maisha and they do great coffee. Its great to see this new cafe and shop development located on a corner amongst the red brick terraces of Dublin 8.  

You will find Dolls and BiBis on  Emorville Avenue Dublin 8.

Images via Dirtyfabulous Irish Times Nickysragtales

In for a Treat

Funky new shops, I love to see them opening up in my neighbourhood. If their selling something that might possibly add to my waistline all the better especially with Autumn coming in and it being a time when we all like a little comfort food. "Treat" our new neighbourhood shop is  a deli and gift shop located on Cabra's Imaal Road that sells fine coffee, cakes and breads. They've also put together a great selection of cheeses, cold cuts, relishes, oils and gifts.


The shop is owned and run by Linley Jones and Sally-Anne Bennet. Sally-Anne is an interior designer and has kept a keen designers eye on all that can be seen in the design of the shop and the choice of gifts on offer.


The smart grey shop front makes a great addition to the parade shops that make up Imaal Mart and the guys have selected some lovely vintage dressers and tables to display their Treats on.
This type of enterprise is something i've posted about before. Quality independent shops are what will keep our shopping streets exciting.

Photos Via Treat

Doing the Camden Walk

Dublin's Wexford - Camden Street has now got my vote as most lively street at the moment. I took a walk along it last night and I was inspired by all the activity. There's a great selection of  little, shops, cafes, burger bars, gyms, pubs and restaurants. There was a real buzz with new places like Burritos and Blues about to open up. New businesses opening, great to see it in contrast to the media diet of gloom we can end up feeding on. Allot of these businesses are independent and small scale. They have their own look and feel that's unique. Here's to independent retailers and street scale commerce. If you have eaten in Green 19 on Camden Street let me know what it's like.