OH MY MELLOW No.22
The darling buds of May are in fine, full fettle – and we’re here for it, accompanied by the tastiest cultural fruits of the season.
BOOK Long Island
Was Eilis Lacey’s marriage to Tony Fiorello a happy one? Did she stay in New York? Was there ever any regrets about leaving Jim in Ireland? We’ll soon find out on May 23 when Colm Tóibín's sequel to the multi-award and bestselling Brooklyn is published. Tóibín’s 2009 novel introduced us to one of the most realistic love triangles we’ve ever seen in the arts: rather than Eilis having to choose between a nice but dull good boy and a hot but complicated bad boy, both suitors were decent in both character and looks. Here’s hoping Long Island meets lofty expectations – and that Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen and Domhnall Gleeson will return for its inevitable screen adaptation.
Was Eilis Lacey’s marriage to Tony Fiorello a happy one? Did she stay in New York? Was there ever any regrets about leaving Jim in Ireland? We’ll soon find out on May 23 when Colm Tóibín's sequel to the multi-award and bestselling Brooklyn is published. Tóibín’s 2009 novel introduced us to one of the most realistic love triangles we’ve ever seen in the arts: rather than Eilis having to choose between a nice but dull good boy and a hot but complicated bad boy, both suitors were decent in both character and looks. Here’s hoping Long Island meets lofty expectations – and that Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen and Domhnall Gleeson will return for its inevitable screen adaptation.
PODCAST Miss Me?
Speaking of Brooklyn: that’s the very same borough from which singer and actress Lily Allen FaceTimes one of her closest and oldest pals each week, the music broadcaster Miquita Oliver (and daughter of chef, TV personality and fellow podcaster Andi Oliver) for their chat show Miss Me?. Both found fame young and are laugh out loud funny here as they casually sprinkle often riotous celebrity anecdotes from their youth, when they ran rampant around London in the noughties. That Allen is married to Stranger Things actor David Harbour only adds contemporary stardust, although for the most part their banter is agreeably relatable.
INTERIORS A New Glamour
OK, so most of us don’t have the same budget as the clients featured in this new coffee table book… but there’s still inspiration to be found courtesy of its author, the Kenmare-born interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan, who has transformed the boudoirs, salons, restaurants, bars, ballrooms, nooks and crannies across the likes of London’s Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkley as well as private residences from Paris to Manhattan. See his handiwork in real life at Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry – or else picture yourself among these pages, lolling around in your favourite Resort Collection kaftan, obvs.
STREAMING Bodkin
Reviews are tightly under wraps at the time of writing, but we’re cheering on this Irish six-part thriller for Netflix which is set, and mostly shot, in East Cork. Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground company, it stars Siobhán Cullen, Robyn Cara and Will Forte playing three true crime podcasters who descend on a rural village to investigate the disappearance of three people during the Samhain festival 20 years earlier. And guess what? The locals don’t appreciate these blow-in poking about…
DRESS CODE Resort Mini in Flamingo Ochre
Sun’s out, legs out, for our mini dress that combines style (hello pretty blouson sleeves and hand-painted print) and practicality (deep pockets and temperature regulating 100pc organic cotton poplin). It was designed in Kildare, crafted in Portugal – and ready to wear in a sun-kissed destination of your choice this summer.