Last week was a 'bank holiday' in Ireland. For those of you unfamiliar with this phrase, it's a Monday off. For the past 6 years, Bord Bia, which is the Irish Food Board, has chosen this long weekend (or puente as we know it in Mexico) to organise 'Bloom', Ireland's largest gardening and food event in the country. Over this long weekend, nearly 90,000 people come to visit the show to enjoy its many family, garden and indeed food attractions. Held on the 70 acre grounds of the Phoenix Park, Europe's largest enclosed Park, Bloom 2012 was the best ever!

We visit Bloom every year, but this year was doubly special as Bord Bia had organised a picnic event for bloggers from Ireland, Belgium, France and the UK, which involved a styling challenge for an Irish picnic for two. As busy and disorganised as I've been the last few months, I totally missed the deadline for registration, and I was really gutted. I tried to console myself saying at least I would get a press pass (which sadly makes me feel cool!) but oh surprised when I get an e-mail from the lovely Maeve in Bord Bia, asking me if I wanted to join the picnic as well! I was elated!