Kylemore Abbey, resort wear, thoughts on influencers, American girls in crisis and more on weekend meanderings!
Good Saturday morning friends! Today I am joining Kim and Juliet for weekend meanderings, our weekly series of things that caught our eye and piqued our interest.
How are you? Were you out celebrating St. Patrick’s day yesterday? I skipped the celebrations. and went to bed early. I have been dragging since we lost an hour of sleep last Sunday. I have’t slept well all week. Anyone else feel a little sluggish since daylight savings?
Can we talk about the weather for a minute? Did you get snow this week? Can you believe that in NE some got 42″ of snow in 2 days, and had no power! That is a lot of snow! But not as much as Lake Tahoe, some areas have received 50 feet of snow this winter!
Ok, enough about the weather, let’s meander.
WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
Last week on weekend meanderings I shared the beautiful Kinross house in Scotland, this week in honor of St. Patricks’s Day I thought I would share a beautiful place in Ireland, Kylemore Abbey.
Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Castle was built in 1868 as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a doctor from London. The castle is 40,000 sq. feet and took 100 men about 4 years to build. Originally it had 70 rooms, including 33 bedrooms! In 1903 the castle was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, sadly they were forced to sell the house after a few years because of gambling debts.
The house was purchased in 1920 by the Irish Benedictine Nuns who had been forced flee their Abbey in Ypres during WWI. The nuns have lived and worked at the Abbey ever since, primarily teaching young girls(until 2010)but also making and selling chocolate among other things. In 1970 they opened the gardens to the public and in 2015 they created a partnership with the University of Notre Dame to host academic programs.
“Kylemore Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden is an oasis of ordered splendour in the wild Connemara Countryside. Developed along with the Castle in the late 1800s it once boasted 21 heated glasshouses and a workforce of 40 gardeners. One of the last walled gardens built during the Victorian period in Ireland it was so advanced for the time that it was compared in magnificence with Kew Gardens in London.”Today Kylemore is a Heritage Garden displaying only plant varieties from the Victorian era. The bedding is changed twice a year, for Spring and Summer and its colours change throughout the year.
If you like gardening be sure to follow the Head Gardeners blog.
Ireland is on my list of places to visit and I will definitely be adding Kylemore Abbey to the list as well.
Resort Wear
Spring break is upon us and summer travel plans are on the books. This week Kim and Cindy shared resort wear on their Signature Style Series. Cindy shared outfits for women over 50 and Kim shared her package tips as well. Both posts have beautiful outfits and tips to look and feel your best while enjoying your holiday.
One of my favorite quotes from Cindy, “What should a 60 year old woman wear on the beach, whatever she feel comfortable in.” Great advice for women of any age.
Thoughts on Influencers
Gwyneth Paltrow has the internet in an uproar this week. A few days ago on the The Art of Being Well with Dr. Cole she shared among other things her wellness routine, including her daily diet. To summarize, she practices intermittent fasting(I do too), and easts between 12-6. At noon she has breaks her fast with coffee, for lunch has a bowl of bone broth and then for dinner she eats “lots of vegetables”.
Doctors and dietitians around the country have weighed and and said this is not enough food or nutrients for a day and this is dangerous for the people that follow her.
First let me say that the internet is filled with good and bad information. Unfortunately, many people take the information on the internet as “truth”. We live in an age where we are bombarded with filtered images and misinformation and we are at the mercy of the “almighty” algorithm.
People are soaking up this information like sponges, especially young girls. I personally feel that if you are in a position as a role model or as a wellness expert you should be a little more conscientious of what you are putting out in the world.
You are free to disagree with me, but this is the age of the INFLUENCER! If you are an influencer, no matter how big or small you have a responsibility to the people who follow you and the people who see your content.
As an influencer your words and images represent what you believe, wear, buy, sell and how you live. Or so we are led to believe. People young and old soak up this information and purchase products based upon your recommendations, they eat certain food, listen to podcasts, read books, etc, all because you mentioned it.
Say What You Mean Mean What You Say
A few years ago a blogger/influencer that I follow wrote an interesting post. She mentioned that she was frequently having Amazon “try-on” sessions and one day her grandmother asked her why? The blogger said, I don’t understand your question. Her grandmother responded, you write about the state of the world and global warming, you frequently share information about saving the planet so that it will be here for your two daughters and yet you are continually selling “fast-fashion” that ends up in landfills and is hurtful to the environment. Needless to say, she doesn’t promote fast fashion any longer because it does not align with her values.
Do you have any thoughts on influencers? Or n the plethora of information for health and wellness on social media much of it untested and not backed by science?
P.S. Late yesterday Gwyneth gave a statement on Instagram stating that she has long Covid and that some days she eats more, some days less. She stated that her diet is not for everyone and is based upon her health needs.
American Girls in Crisis
Speaking of which, have you seen the alarming statistics about teenage girls?
This past month the CDC announced that teen girls are in crisis with over 60% reporting persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. “30 percent said they seriously considered attempting suicide, double the rate among boys and up almost 60 percent from a decade ago.”(source)
These numbers have been on the rise since 2019 but during Covid, isolation and increased time on social media have been said to be factors in the increased number.
The report states that kids/teens spend 4 hours a day on social media, Tik Tok and Snap Chat are where they spend the most time. Like the rest of us they are bombarded with information about dieting, exercising, among other things.
I don’t know about you but I find these statistics frightening; I cannot imagine being a teen or young adult in the age of social media. So much of what we see is “smoke and mirrors” and filtered.
On a side note I have bombarded lately with anti-aging and why balance is so important as we age posts. What ads or posts are you being bombarded with?
I am not suggesting that Gwyneth Paltrow is causing an increase in teen girls depression. Girls and boys are fed a constant stream of information on everything from challenges, beauty, wellness, eating disorders, dances, etc. They just need to the tools to figure out what is real and what is fake, which as an adult is sometimes recognize as well. The perfect life on Tik Tok and Instagram is the highlight reel of a persons life, not always real life.
Link Love
Kojima Shōten: Classic Japanese Lanterns Reimagined
Austin Butler fans will enjoy this podcast
30 Best Atlanta Interior Design Blogs and Websites, including several of my favorite longtime bloggers Southern Hospitality and Design Indulgence.
Oscars 2023: ‘A slap in the face for Hollywood’
Beloved and Debated, French Bulldog Becomes Top US Dog Breed
Notre Dame Has a Reopening Date!!!!
Looking forward to reading On the Curry Trail.
Love this pointelle sweater for spring, it is lightweight and looks beautiful with whatever you are wearing
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
It was a busy week on the blog!
On Monday Musings No. 63, I shared a great movie, a book you will want to add to your summer stack, this cute outfit and lots more.
Are you looking for an easy Easter DIY? These little carrots can be used as place card holders, in your Easter decor, added to Easter baskets or given to family and friends as little gifts. Personalize them by filling them with the recipients favorite candy!
Scallops are everywhere this Spring, on your table, the menu and even decor. You can find all of the details and recipes in the post.
Friday I shared a some scrumptious recipes, including this Sweet and Spicy Thai Chicken, lots of links, books and spring outfit ideas.
THAT’S IT
I hope that you enjoyed meandering with me this morning. Have a happy and safe weekend.
If you missed last weeks post I shared, Steve Cordony, Jake Arnold, St. Patrick’s Day treats and more on Weekend Meanderings.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here.
When you leave here don’t forget to pop over to see all of the things that Kim and Juliet have discovered this week.
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
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Vibeke Svenningsen, Olympia Le Tan, Holiday Outfits and More on Weekend Meanderings. 
Friday Favorites No. 561 from Smitten Kitchen, Minimalist Baker, The Curious Plate, Proper Foodie and more
Friday Favorites No. 560 from Gimme Some Oven, The Woks of Life, Foxes Love Lemons and More
Hans Christian Andersen, The Splendid Table, Burren Perfumery and more on Weekend Meanderings. 
Elizabeth this post was so good. First of all thank you so much for linking to our resort wear post. Secondly, I have always hated that word influencer just for what it denotes. I hate the sound of it for the reasons you have indicated. Thank you for making us “influencers” if that is what we are to take a step back and always think about what and why we are saying what we do. Karen Karlsen could straighten Gwyneth Paltrow out about intermittent fasting and how to do it properly. If all I ate was a bowl of bone broth and vegetables I wouldn’t have the strength to get out of bed.
Cindy, I am always happy to share your posts! I think as I said if you have 1 person or several million following you, you are an “influencer” be truthful, authentic and honest. Also be aware that what you share is something that people think you value, use, or do and they look to you for guidance.
Have a wonderful week Cindy!
You are my favorite blogger and this post is one reason why!
Thank you
Elizabeth, I so appreciate you bringing up this topic about influencers. I do think Paltrow has an obligation to not say that she lives on bone broth and veg, especially with all the rating disorders in the world. I do think intermittent fasting isn’t bad if it’s one meal. I do have friend that have started not eating.. This is all contributing to young girl’s depression, weight obsession and seeing altered images on the Internet. We need to be better about time spent on social media for kids! All of it is too much. The more kids get outside and do sports, activities the happier they are. I feel the same too. The more I am on the computer/phone the worse I feel.
Also we influencers are showing a lot of product. I do think we should advocate for curating your home and wardrobe with things we will love a long time and that aren’t necessarily cheap or deals. All of it is creating more waste and more cargo ships heading here. Better to buy less and buy better- or buy upcycled. If we show that it encourages people too.
Thank you about the resort post. I did try and show pieces that have worked for years and still looking great. It’s hard isn’t it? I am learning and trying to be smarter and have less.
Your spicy chicken looks delicious!
I hope your weather is better than ours. More rain and snow coming.. Hard to believe right? Have a beautiful weekend Elizabeth!
Oh – almost forgot I love this Irish Manor. It’s on my list now. Have you watched Derry Girls? It is Irish nuns running a school for girls. Really funny. One of my favorite series.
xo
Kylemore Abbey is enchanting … those gardens. Thanks for the quick little getaway … two weeks in a row! I read the brouhaha surrounding GP’s interview on her diet. What struck me is that this is the type of thing People magazine used to cover … fluff piece interviews with celebs who share their health regimes and beauty secrets (lots of water and a good night sleep – ha!). But the internet takes that drivel and magnifies it. And then Twitter and TikTok stars glom on and use it to grab their 15-minutes of fame discussing the horror of it all. Young women, grown woman … have always been influenced by celebrity ridiculousness but today the means for it to be spread far and wide by those who feign being shock and offended. But anyway … I’m annoyed by the amount of time people spend on social media making mountains out of what should have been an eye roll. Social media is taking a terrible toll on everyone, particularly young and impressionable teens and it such a shame. The genie is out of the bottle … no getting it back in. My, that was heavy … loved Kim and Cindy’s resort wear and I’m going to use these advice to pack for my upcoming trip. Hope you have a great weekend, Elizabeth. You guys are experiences the same sort of bizarro weather. That, plus the time change, everyone’s a mess!!! xo
Spot on about the internet. Most information is not accurate and I ignore it. But young people and unfortunately adults still follow what they read
The weather has been crazy. We didn’t get snow where we live in NJ and we were surprised
The Abbey is quite beautiful.
Elizabeth,
You bring up some very interesting points on being an influencer. Everything from Gwyneth to the influencer that was promoting fast fashion…and save the planet. It’s hard not to be a walking contradiction, but if someone is going to “influence” then it seems like a good idea to take it VERY seriously for everyone’s sake!
Kyle more Abby looks so beautiful! Loved hearing about the history through the years!
xx
Annie, thank you! I think in many ways we are all influencers in a small way. That is why I think we have to be honest and careful about what we promote and how it aligns with out values.
Even more so if you have a large following of impressionable young people.
Have a wonderful day Annie!
Ah I am really fearful for my kids to grow up in the age of social media. I hope I can give them the tools they need to navigate social media and all media really. Thanks for sharing all of your great finds!
Marie is is so scary. I do not know how parents raise kids with all of these outside influences.
I think influencers should be more responsible in so many areas – especially the likes of Paltrow who has so many people looking to her as a health guru. Many of the doctors and scientists I follow on Instragram are constantly debunking her health claims. I also agree that influencers need to be more cognizant of the problem with fast fashion and conspicuous consumption. All those try ons, not only for the things they keep, but what they return, have dubious disposition. I know some returns can be re-sold or end up in liquidations centers, but many perfectly good returns end up in the trash – one google search turns up article after article about what this is doing to our environment. I have greatly scaled back who I follow. If they are constantly buying and/or selling stuff, I unfollow.
Kim,
I could not agree with you more. I actually stopped following Goop years ago because I found so many of her claims, and things strange, outlandish and with no medical backing that I could find. I also find it ridiculous the amount of expensive products that she pushes. Maybe fine for a millionaire but my guess it that most of her followers are not in that economic range.
As for Amazon try on sessions, there is no way that these people keep all of these clothes. It is crazy how much waste there is and pollution.
Thank you for weighing in! Have a very happy Spring.
Great post. We went to Ireland in 2001 and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Hope to go back some day!
I have Ireland on my list, but I really want to visit Scotland again. Have a wonderful day!