Thursday 29 January 2015

A world of inspiration

Sometimes I become temporarily obsessed with colour combinations. I might wear a variation of these colours exclusively for a week and then as fickle as you like move on like the love affair never happened!
This is definitely true of the following combos. I may have seen an outfit in a classic movie and taken my inspiration from there or it might be from an art print, even a postcard can send me into a colour tailspin!
Vintage clothing is brilliant for unusual colour combinations, colours that you rarely see in modern clothing and the way they can be accessoriesed makes it so much more playful and interesting!
Here are a few of my inspirations and my own interpretation!

I love this combination of aqua blue and wine, I wear it quite a lot!
A 1948 Columbia Hand Knit Fashions advert, photo by Conant Bradley -courtesy of myvintage vogue

 



Sometimes my muse can be a little more unusual!


Amelia Earheart, the pioneering aviator, was the thought behind this jaunty look for work!





1940's Winter sports fashion, ice skaters in particular, was my starting point for this concoction.

 





So there you have it! Where do you take your inspiration from?
We'd love to hear!




Monday 26 January 2015

Feathery Goodness!

Look at those stunning blue eyes!


Susan got married in October and chose a beautiful bespoke feather and crystal beaded headpiece with birdcage veil from Dirty Fabulous. It looked beautiful with her modern wedding gown and she just oozed old Hollywood glamour.
Congratulations to Susan and her new hubby!

Thursday 22 January 2015

The Best Vintage Cocktails


Why oh why  am I doing a post on cocktails during the month when many people are abstaining? Hmmm...maybe it's because I'm included in that group and cocktails seem to be on my mind a bit more than usual!!! 
It's probably no surprise that here at Dirty Fabulous HQ we're fans of vintage cocktails. Mostly the hard liquor types; none of that fruity, slushy stuff for us. First up is our No 1. favourite:


The Old Fashioned
Oh how I do love you....
I make mine with about 2oz's of Bourbon, usually Makers Mark
A couple of dashes of Angostura Bitters (2 is usually plenty, it's strong so less is more!)
A dash of water or club soda and then a teaspoon of sugar or two brown sugar cubes (if your living a predominantly paleo life like myself then a dash of maple syrup works well and is just as yummy!)
Mix/bruise/crush it all up with the blunt/rounded end of a utensil. Add loads of ice and a shaving of orange peel or a whole slice if you like.
Go mad and add a maraschino cherry if it takes your fancy. Serve in a short tumbler and restrain from swallowing it's tastiness in one fell swoop!
I use these tumblers  from Ikea

But what I really want are these Waterford Crystal ones!

Next up is :


The Manhattan
You know when it's named after one of the best area's in the world then it's going to be great!
The first time I made this I added too much bitters so remember, like the Old Fashioned, less is more.
2 parts whiskey
1 part sweet vermouth
1 or 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters (really a drop or two)
ice
Orange peel and yes a maraschino cherry if you'd like!
Mix it all together... a voila...A Manhattan. (Mixologists everywhere are probably screaming at their screens right now, I know there is a correct way to mix each cocktail but when I'm at home time is of the essence...less mixing, more relaxing!)
Best served in a Martini glass.

My vintage glass dedicated to Manhattans!

Marks and Spencers have some elegant ones in stock.

Now although there are hundred's of vintage cocktails these are just our favourites so I'm going to end with one more (I don't want to seem like a total lush!)

The Mint Julep
This is real simple:
 2.5 oz's of bourbon whiskey
about 5 or 6 mint leaves
couple of sugar cubes (take out that maple syrup again if your avoiding sugar)
Muddle it all up, serve it in a silver or pewter cup filled up with crushed ice.
The ice makes the cup nice and frosty keeping your Julep refreshingly cool.
OMG this is amazing on a hot day. (or a freezing cold winter evening in front of the fire!)

So far I've yet to get my hands on a pewter cup just for a Mint Julep so I use these

Amazon has some but my hubby might freak out if I spent €25 on a single cup to have the occasional Mint Julep!!!

Obviously these are great if your having a night in or a little soiree with friends but if you are heading out on the town Dublin has some super cocktail joints.

If you are going to go anywhere for a good cocktail then it has to be Upstairs at Kinara Kitchen in Ranelagh. Paul is the master of liquors and will create whatever takes your fancy. WE LOVE IT HERE!!! Paul even created a Dirty Fabulous cocktail that you have to try. I'll be doing a post on it soon which will include all the deets.

I would love my house to look like 37 Dawson Street really I would. Not only is the decor unbelievably amazing but this is where I had one of the best Mint Juleps ever.

Then again maybe I'd like to live somewhere more elegant and understated like House. It oozes gorgeousness and serves up some fabulous cocktails.

I'm partial to a Margarita and one of the absolute best in the city hails from 777. People flock here in droves just for their deliciousness alone never mind the mouthwateringly good food. 

Two more fantastic options are Izakaya on Georges Street and the opulent Liquor Rooms on the Quays.

Choose the right place and enjoy a fine cocktail. It really can be a little work of art worth cherishing...you'll feel like your spoiling yourself. Take note: avoid cheap, watered down versions sold in venues where the aim of the game is to get as drunk as possible as quickly as possible!

Sip, savour and enjoy...
....how many weeks are there left in January???











Monday 19 January 2015

Welcome to my addiction...The Amazing Collar Collection

Not so long ago Caroline did a post on her coat addiction and now I want to share my insatiable lust for statement necklaces! 
Anyone who knows me is aware of my magpie tendencies and I swear it's an actual uncontrollable illness...Caroline has often mentioned that she's going to stage an intervention but so far I've avoided it!

My wall literally drips with statement necklaces... I've picked them up on our buying trips, from the high street, online and received them as gifts. I'll wear them with jumpers and jeans, dresses, t-shirts and shirts. I pretty much wear one every second day. I find that if I'm hanging around the house being a mum and playing with my boys in something super casual I'll throw one on to feel a little more glamorous and a little more like myself!

I have pearl ones

chunky crystal ones

gold ones

colourful ones

 long ones
vintage beaded ones

larger ones
Fabric ones

and even feather ones

of course I've some rarer, vintage ones. 
This is a 1960's rhinestone collar that is one of my cherished pieces. I've worn it so many times but it's a piece I keep returning too. It's probably my most expensive statement necklace but the investment was totally worth it!

The latest addition to my collection was a Christmas pressie from my lovely friend Karen. I wore it yesterday and I think it's awesome.

I haven't even included these ones!

Do you think I have a problem? Hmmm...maybe I do but please, please, please don't stop me. Don't they say you have to want to change when dealing with an addiction, well I just don't want to!!!
Even with this vast collection I would still find myself thinking that I don't have the right necklace for a certain outfit. Meaning: there is definitely room to expand...






Friday 16 January 2015

Bright Young Things


How much fun does Lisa's wedding look! The colours are just breathtaking and totally unique!

Lisa came to us in search of a vintage wedding dress that was a little different and we were delighted to help her pick this draped ivory gown with attached cape and high lace neck. From there we searched for bridesmaids options that would tie in beautifully with her wedding gown. Colours were important as were dresses the girls would feel comfortable and glamorous in.


These pretty and elegant full length gowns were the perfect combination with Lisa's dress.


After the bride and bridesmaid were decided upon we then sourced this gorgeous purple gown for Lisa's mum. We teamed it with a vintage beaded cape and created a bespoke headpiece to complete her look. Not the traditional mother-of-the-bride look at all but absolutely gorgeous!




For a flourish of bridal elegance Lisa wore a bespoke Dirty Fabulous headpiece and 1960's pearl drop earrings. 


Exquisite and graceful!



How stunning is this picture of Lisa and her new hubby! I love his button hole too.
The colour of her Dirty Fabulous fur cape was perfection and kept any chills at bay!

What an amazing setting for some post ceremony pics!




So these bright young things looked like they had a blast right? 
Love the colours, love the camper van, love everything about it really!
Congrats to Lisa and her new hubby
Come back and see us soon!