My Kildare Life interview: Fashion and lifestyle blogger Arlene Costello

Arlene is the daughter of David and Irene Kelly. She is the eldest in her family. She has one sister, Laura, and twin brothers Barry and Justin.

Arlene went to school in St Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Edenderry. She graduated with a Law degree from NUI Galway and sat both the King’s Inns and Law Society exams. Arlene has worked in the legal industry for the best part of 10 years. She married her husband Michael in 2016, and they now have a 14-month-old daughter called Isabelle.

Arlene writes a weekly style blog for www.leinsterleader.ie and her own blog The Style Flamingos

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST KILDARE MEMORY?

As an Offaly girl I travelled the short seven miles across the border to marry my husband Michael from Carbury.

I started living in Carbury in 2011 and we have since built a home here with our daughter, Isabelle. I’m a ‘townie’, so living in the countryside was a little different at first, but I absolutely love it now. It’s so beautiful to wake up to the peace and quiet and the country views!

My daddy was from Kinshanroe, Co Kildare, so my first memory of Kildare is spending time in my granny and grandad Kelly’s house — it was always so much fun being in the countryside as a child so I hope Isabelle will feel the same!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT KILDARE?

My favourite thing about the county is that I found my husband here!

Kildare is a great county with so many great shopping destinations like Kildare Village and the Whitewater shopping centre.

As an interiors lover, I was delighted to see the addition of The Range in Maynooth, with so many great decorative pieces. I also love a peek into Ciara’s Homestyle in Naas or TK Maxx in Newbridge.

The county also has so many lovely restaurants and lots of nice spots for walks! Now that I am a blogger, I love a good Instagram-worthy location for my pictures! I love the grounds at Moyvalley House Hotel and Donadea forest. So many gorgeous places on our doorstep!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE KILDARE RESTAURANT?

One of my favourites at the moment is Bistro 53 in Maynooth.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BLOG THE STYLE FLAMINGOS?

I set it up just under a year ago as a platform to share all of the things that I love. I blog about fashion, beauty, interiors and all things lifestyle! I honestly feel that both fashion and home style are so subjective, but there are always elements that people will love.

I like to help people if I can by giving them some tips on my experience building a house or decorating it!

I post a lot on my Instagram @thestyleflamingos and share daily outfits, fashion tips, baby updates and interiors.

I absolutely love what I do and I am so grateful to my followers for the opportunities this has given me.