Saturday with Arthur Gourounlian: 'We used to go to five parties in one night — Blake changed our lives'
Arthur Gourounlian pictured as he launched Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps. Pic: Brian McEvoy.
Having Blake changed our lives, but I still don’t get up until around 8am or 8.30am because thank God she sleeps!
She never makes a noise when she wakes up, she just chills. I will pick her up, she will get a bottle of milk, and watch Minnie Mouse for a few minutes.
I select her clothes the night before.
Actually, I pretty much have things lined up for her for the whole week unless something changes, because I know what we are going to do each day.
She is amazing, she is 20-months-old now and is a little Tasmanian devil — she knows exactly how to manipulate us.
Myself and Brian love to go for brunch. I’m loving being back in Dublin, because there are so many places to go.
We have only been back in the city for a few weeks, so I haven’t had a chance to discover all the options.
I don’t like going to the same place all the time, I’m the kind of person who likes to discover new places.
Every Saturday we try to find something new. I will have a full Irish or toast and avocado and then a pancake, or eggs benedict and a pancake — there’s always sugar involved as I have a sweet tooth.
Sometimes we will go to Rathangan to see the family or to the park — we see where the day takes us.
Brian is more of a planner, but I am more spontaneous.
Most of the time we try to see the family as we don’t see them a lot midweek.
We might go to the zoo, as Blake loves animals. Saturdays are certainly more wholesome than they were in the past.
Next on my list is the Botanic Gardens — it’s so beautiful.
As a freelancer, I don’t really have “weekends” or “weekdays” as such, whereas Brian has a proper weekend.
Trying to be a good husband, I try to compromise and to do something that Brian wants to do because I can do anything I want with Blake during the week. When we were preparing for Blake, we didn’t know what to expect.
Now, I don’t remember what life was like before we had her.
When Blake arrived, we didn’t go anywhere for two weeks — we were so obsessed with her!
When No 2 arrives it’s going to be even busier. We will be back to square one feeding the baby, changing the baby … I hope this baby will be as good as Blake who slept so well...
In the afternoon, we go for a walk in the park. We always try to get some fresh air.
Shopping is Brian’s department. I don’t do grocery shopping because I don’t cook, and if I miss something it is catastrophic. Brian is very practical.
I will stay in the car while he’s shopping with Blake.
On a Saturday evening , we love to stay at home unless there is an event we have to go to in which case we will drop Blake to her auntie’s or uncle’s house.
Usually, it is a takeaway at home and now that we are in Dublin there is so much choice it is amazing.
We used to go to five parties in one night, but I just can’t be bothered now.
When Blake goes to bed, we will watch a movie. We love horror movies.
Brian also loves documentaries about serial killers and disappearances.
I don’t really go into the sun and am paranoid about my skin so, no matter how tired I am, I have to do my little five-minute beauty routine.
We aren’t getting any younger and I’m trying to look after myself and be as natural as possible — so it is creams galore. I am not loyal to any particular brand, but have been using the Boots retinol range recently and a obsessed with it. I also have to have a shower before I go to bed.
We always sleep with relaxing piano music in the background.
The only time I’ll wake up during the night is because of Blake. I am so used to sleeping in busy cities my whole life that I can sleep easily even if there’s a party going on. Once I open my eyes, I can’t stay in bed.
- Dancer, author, and Dancing with the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian lives with his husband TV presenter Brian Dowling Gourounlian in Dublin, with their daughter Blake. The couple are expecting a new baby this summer.
- Arthur has just helped launch 2024 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. This year, there are additional spaces for children of migrant families where they have the opportunity to experience GAA for the day, and if they like it, stay for the week.
- For more information, or to book your place see kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
