Archive for » 2010 «

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What a year. I think, if I am lucky enough to be kicking around in forty years time, I shall look back on 2010 as really…well…really quite mental. All I can say is that, as I write this, I am feeling most fortunate. I can’t explain it - I just want to make life a person I can hug. (Luckily I have someone in my life who embodies so much of all I love about the world, and I get to hug him quite frequently. So that’s pleasant…) ; )

Thank you to those of you have joined me on the HIGHS! and LOWS! of life on this blog over the last twelve months, and to those who have sent positive thoughts, and heartfelt messages, and genuine support. I appreciate it so very much.

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To the help part…well, it’s actually to do with those same positive thoughts…

I would like to make the next Fancy Friday, published on the 14th of January, a very special one, as it’s the 50th Fancy Friday.

If you could leave a comment, send me an anonymous mail, or a link, or a FB chat, or a skype or a pigeon carrier message or get your mum to call my mum… with a quote, saying, or something you wrote, that has inspired you in some way. You can also tell us why and how it helped if you like, the circumstances etc. Do feel free to share with us in as few or many words as you like.

Also, if you’re a photographer or an artist, mail us some stuff if  you would like us to include your work in the 50th Fancy Friday on the 14th.

That’s all there is to it…! If you don’t mind being linked to, I shall link to you. if you prefer to remain anonymous, just say the word.

Have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.

Love, Blanaid

Images from Frank Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’

Category: This Website  7 Comments

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Some images from the shop launch day - by Ciúin Tracey. We had a lovely day and have been incredibly busy since Saturday, hence the lack of posting! Thanks so much to everyone who visited, purchased and said nice things…we look forward to seeing you in the New Year! For all the other thank yous, and there are so many, many heartfelt than yous, please see the post below. : ) Oh and Kay from K Kajoux will be back in January, for those of you who fell in love with her jewellery!

xBlanaid

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I’m very excited and tired - this Saturday, at 11am, we’ll open our new little second-hand & hand-made shop. It’s not full of crazy prices or scariness, just nice and pleasant…like most of the lovely shops down here in Kilkenny! So if you do come down this Saturday (I’m making mulled cider!) - take some time to visit Butterslip, Smoking Lily, Rebekah Patterson, Bridies, the Made in Kilkenny pop-up shop, the charity shop, Yesterdays, the lovely book shops  - and so much more! That’s just the city centre - venture to bennetsbride, Castlecomer, Thomastown etc for more lovely craft stores. I’m like an advertisement for Kilkenny, but I do love this town. I mean city… ; )

Hope to see you on Satutday - I want to say a huge thank you to Rhona Nolan for the poster! One of my favourite bloggers, I also love her graphic skills.  She’s also been a great help this week. Thanks also to Brid Leahy,  Ciuin Treacy, Aisling Tobin Christina Byrne, Aran Hennessy, Moselle Foley and Frances Long for all of their work over the last year. Phenomenal people, really.  A special mention of course to Eoin Hennessy, the unsung hero who works seven days a week and all the hours he can say yes to, just so we can stay going on this adventure.

While I’m on my thanks roll, my parents don’t read my blog, but they’re incredible. Really. My sister Roisin for making me far much more cleverer about some things.. ; ) and Dave for listening very patiently and calmly when I realise I’ve let myself in for even more work.  Sometimes there are even tears. No bother to him, he’s a very good listener!

Also, genuinely to those of you who comment, and mail, and just say nice things, whether you’re a friend or a stranger of sorts - well, you’re lovely.

Mostly though, even with the odd tear, and late night, and frustrated phone call - I love it all, and I am very, very happy. I hope you are too, for any and every reason at all.

xBlanaid

See more images of the making of our shop on our facebook page > here < x

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Another snow post - this was taken at the DART station, as my van was snowbound. I’m on the way to the christening of the very beautiful Grace C.

Thanks so much to Dave for the photo, and the day.

Coat - Custo Barcelona, around 3/4 years ago. Only two came in to Ireland. I had to have it, although it was *gulp* VERY dear, for me.

Shirt - Second hand.

Necklace - The Butterslip, Rose Inn St., Kilkenny.

Maxi skirt - Topshop

Gloves - Second hand.

Apologies for the lack of posting yesterday, we are preparing to open our second hand  & stuff shop in Shutterbug this Saturday! If you’re about, do pop in and say hello. More information to follow… :)

xBlanaid

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It’s so easy to get consumed by how much the world is affecting you emotionally, while living in blissful ignorance as to how you affect the emotional state of everyone in your world. Next time a problem arises, decide again who you’re going to be - the one who consumes the energy and time of everyone around them, or the one who can face adversity with a certain elegance, acceptance, and ability to move on. We can be whoever we want to be in our reactions to situations. It’s just a choice. It’s always a choice. I know this is a repeated subject - but I always need to remind myself. I want to keep trying, very hard, to make the right choice.

xBlanaid

Images from behind the scenes of Mad Men via Rolling Stone magazine.

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Let’s all just take a moment.

xBlanaid

Via Ikea

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This wasn’t supposed to be an outfit post, just a test shot by Offaly photographer Jeff Harvey on location at Kinnity Castle. We braved the black ice to do our recce on the castle, which we are now shooting in January. Excuse the hair! I’d left my hat in the car.

Skirt - €5.00 second hand maxi dress cut at the waist.

Sweatshirt - Dave’s, bought in vintage store in L.A.

Belt - River Island

Leather jacket - €29.00 Penneys

Fur Coat - €8.00 second hand shop.

Leather gloves - €5.00 second hand.

Pom-pom scarf - €7.90 H&M

Hope you’re all surviving out there in the snow & ice. It’s so beautiful, but oof, driving is scary.

xBlanaid

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Some images in my current interiors folder. Love > (1) A laden mantlepiece and a dark wall. (2) White floorboards and big cushions. (3) our light in the studio - going in to production? (4) baby blue table with tolix chairs. (5) wall decor in Mad Men.

xBlanaid

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…just to touch the ground that you are on. I never thought of it that way before, but now I realise how lucky we are in the smallest of things. From the ground up, I share the world with you.

xBlanaid

Category: Fancy Friday  3 Comments

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I chose five products available in stores or online, which are inspired by Anne Barber’s home. Have you any links to anything that you think would go well in her home? Share!

CHAIR

Bentwood chair in green. €119.00 (sale price) The Conran Shop at Arnotts.

T: +353 1 805 0400 W: www.buy4now.ie/arnotts

CUP

‘Blossom’ teacup and saucer €10.00 House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre.

T: +353 1 299 1400 W: www.houseoffraser.co.uk/

TABLE

Natural Oak Extendable Dining Table £535.00 plus delivery. From Irish and London web store – Sweetpea and Willow.

T: 0044 845 257 2627 W: www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

CUSHION

Flower cushion €7.00 Heatons – stores nationwide.

T: 01 4630100 W: http://www.heatonsstores.com/

GLASSES

Plastic wine goblets from €2.99 TK Maxx, Stores nationwide.

W: www.tkmaxx.com/

xBlanaid

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Distressed table base purchased in Eclectic Interiors, Castecomer Estate Yard, Co. Kilkenny €120.0, ceramic table top commissioned from Andrew Ludick, Castecomer Estate Yard. Price on request. White chairs purchased on ebay €70.00 each.Patterned purple cushion from Miranda Groen, Kilkenny apx. €40.00. Poster bought in Chamonix for €10.00 and framed in the Framemakers, St. Mary’s Lane, Kilkenny. Blossom bowls €6.95 from Anne’s store - Butterslip. Little blue bird €5.00 bought on a trip to Turkey.

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Picture - €100.00 Eclectic Interiors, Castlecomer Estate Yard, Kilkenny. Vintage cups – gift. Jug – Brid Lyons, Clay Creations,  Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. (0)56 7724977 Bowl Andrew Ludick Ceramics, Castlecomer Estate Yard, Kilkenny. apx. €250.00. Flowers – Dried by Anne.

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The bathrobes are available to purchase from Butterslip from €20.00.

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Selection of bowls from : (1) Rosemary Durr pottery, Castlecomer Estate Yard, Kilkenny, from apx. €8.00 (2)Oxfam. from apx. €8.00 (3) Bowls purchased on trips to Morocco from €6.00 (4) Bowls from the Real Olive Company in Co. Cork. from €10.00

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The Bicycle art piece is by Rachel Burke apx. €450.00. Hat by Rebekah Patterson Millinery, Kilkenny,apx.€170.00. The key bowl was a gift from Anne’s sister. The sofa was found in a skip and Ann upholstered in Designers’ Guild fabric, try Garenndenny Lane Interiors for similar.

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‘Tomorrow is a lovely day’ print €14.99 TK Maxx homewares.

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The glass vintage jug on left is a family heirloom. The red vase was bought from a potter in Westport for apx. €15.00. The green plastic jug is from Dunnes Stores (€10.00) The clear speckled water jug from Butterslip is €24.95, and the blue jug is from Rosemary Durr in Castlecomer Estate Yard.

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The ‘Cow’ wallpaper in Anne’s spare room is from Louise Body Wallprints and is €85.00 per roll, available to order from Butterslip.

Please note : all images are copyright of Dylan Vaughan. Please do not re-post or use without his permission!

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AT HOME WITH ANNE BARBER

For the second ‘at-home’ feature in the Irish Independent Weekend magazine, photographer Dylan Vaughan and I visited the beautiful Anne Barber at home.  Anne owns one of my favourite shops - Butterslip in Kilkenny ( where I procured the necklace and brooches for the Sunday Times feature!) This feature was a great excuse to satisfy my curiosity - I’ve often wondered what her home looks like, considering how imaginative her shop is…I wasn’t disappointed.

Here’s the interview below, more after the jump!

xBlanaid

A VINTAGE WONDERLAND

Anne Barber has become incredibly adept at creating stylish places from tired old properties. She transformed an old angling store in Kilkenny in to ‘Butterslip’, a shop that has become somewhat of a destination for those seeking beautiful trinkets and objects for the home and wardrobe, a ‘treasure trove’ of a store in the true meaning of the term.

Her home, pictured here, is also the result of this ability. Once a simple council terraced house from the 60s, as Anne describes it - “perfectly proportioned mini house,” is now a vintage haven of incredible style. The colourful mish-mash of furniture and accessories creates an overwhelming feeling of comfort, antiquity and delicate sophistication.

more…

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It’s easy to shine by putting other people in the shade. Anyone can do that. Try shining just as you are, with all that you have, without feeling the need to stand on others to reach the top. Just be all you can be. That’s all there is to it. Everything else is just short-term glory felt only by you for a little minute before the anxiety sets in again. You’re the only person in this competition to be the best you. You’ve already won.

xBlanaid

Images by the amazing Irene Suchocki - available to buy on her etsy shop >here<

Category: Fancy Friday  9 Comments

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Cafe Mode’s street style blog is quite an inspirational spot…

xBlanaid

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Imagine if this was the rule of life that, apart from illness and death, you had a choice in every other situation in your life. You got to choose whether you stayed, or reacted, or behaved, or changed, or enjoyed, or learned, or left. Imagine if it was that simple.

What would you blame your unhappiness on then?

xBlanaid

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Love the light, and the outfit, and the shot.

via lefashionimage

xBlanaid

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When I opened the email from journalist Kirstie McDermott, I stopped breathing. The Sunday Times Style magazine. The. Sunday. Times. Style. Magazine. This magazine inspired a lot of my work, and now, I was going to be in it….it may seem like such an odd thing to be thrilled by to many, many people, but those who know me know how much I love this publication. Yes. I love it. I’m not sure if I’m making that clear enough - did you know that I loved it? I love it. Okay great. You know that I love it. Because I do. *takes breath*

…and not only was I going to be in it, but I was being included in a feature on people who work a lot and multitask, alongside people who seem quite amazing, including Angela Scanlon, whom I admire immensely.  It was at this point, dear reader, that my head exploded. Then I was photographed by the Sunday Times photographer, Fergal Phillips, who was fantastic to work with - and he also very generously sent me the images to use here on my blog. So!…a huge, huge thank you to Kirstie McDermott. That’s all I can say really, just - thank you! *breathe in, breathe out…aaand relaaax*

xBlanaid

P.S I’m wearing a t-shirt from H&M over a vintage silk jersey dress from Dirty Fabulous in Dublin. The headband is made from the end of one of Dave’s old t-shirts, covered in brooches from the beautiful Butterslip on Rose Inn St. in Kilkeny. The necklace is also from Butterslip, I haven’t taken it off since…genuinely.

P.P.S  I know how often I’m thrilled and delighted with things, and perhaps I may sound like I adore adjectives - but life can be so stressful and difficult, I just want to enjoy this interesting and exciting time in my life. In twenty years time I want to read back on this post and remember the feeling of intense excitement I had about this day - and feel it, just a bit.

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I can’t explain how I felt when I saw the first photo - it was emotional. Yes. I am that sad.

Photographed by Hugh Lippe for Naag. Model - Kasia Struss

xBlanaid

via fashion gone rogue

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designer’s own words:
‘horsey’ is an attachable bicycle ornament/accessory which makes one’s bicycle look horsey!
the ‘horsey’ package includes wooden ornaments (horsey shape body), metal parts, and screws.
the manual is very simple so that anyone can easily arrange it according to one’s needs.
through this ‘horsey’ project. I wanted to give a special look to bicycles so that people would care
about cycling not only as transportation but also as a lovely pet.

blanaid’s own words:

I’ll be needing one of these bad boys.

xBlanaid

Via Designboom

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Fade Street starts tomorrow evening on RTE TWO at 9pm! Why yes, since you asked… I AM very excited about this, and not just because I know the people who worked very hard behind the scenes, but because the stars of the show seem verrrry interesting and I have no shame in admitting my love for MTV’s ‘The Hills’ and ‘The City.’ All in all, good ingredients for me to not only support this Irish production, but actually sit down, watch it, and give it a good chance of becoming a weekly television fixture in my little life.

Will you be watching?

xBlanaid

Shoot above features the four stars (l-r) Vogue, Louise, Dani & CiCi- styled by Angela Scanlon, shot by Kip Carroll.

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2nd November 2010 :

If this day was a person I would kiss it square in the face then take it home to meet my parents, feed it Chinese food, let it watch Star Trek if it wanted to, rub it’s feet, get it some beer and then marry it and have lots of today babies

8th November 2010:

Hello there today! I proposed to a cousin of yours last week. Would you mind telling him that it’s all off with him and YOU’RE the day I really love? Oh yes, I’m DEFINITELY going to love you forever…. or until a different day comes along and courts me in all it’s awesomeness. But ’til that day, let’s love each other today, today.

xBlanaid

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I wish I had the courage to wear this - or you know…the wardrobe.

xBlanaid

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Love the simplicity of the headboard, the clothes rail, the lights and the tiles.

xBlanaid

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We attended a family black tie wedding recently - and what a day and night! It was fantastic - congratulations Cathal & Aisling Hennessy!

I’m wearing my ‘Every Single Wedding…’ gold coat from Shantanu & Nikhil, and my green Tempted dress, along with gold shoes from Gil Carvelho. My sister Roisin is wearing an amazing dress that our mam bought in TK Maxx, and a Malene Birger jacket that we bought in a second hand shop for a fiver. Dave is wearing all black and looking sharp so he is.

I wish my sister had a blog because (a) she’s dresses beautifully and (b) I know people really respond to how she shows off that BAM body in a classy/glamorous way… but unfortunately she’s shy about that kind of stuff. And she’s going to KILL me for writing that. However I have a plan to try and sneakily feature her more on this blog - she’ll NEVER find out - ha ha haaaa! (<evil laugh.)

xBlanaid

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All they can do is tell you they’re not going anywhere. No ring, or marriage certificate, or game playing, or oath, allegiances, declarations… even the telling is redundant, because they can only talk about right now. So stop worrying about the end, how, when, why - whether it will be you, or them. Just wake up, have a good day, have a lovely night, relax and breathe.

xBlanaid

Category: Fancy Friday  2 Comments
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Love this poster by Tihana Petrovic for October’s Flea Market AND I finally get to go this Sunday! Hurrah!

xBlanaid

tom-products-blanaidHere are the five products I chose, inspired by Tom Watts’ home below!

1. DRAWERS

Hemnes 6 drawer chest €159.00. IKEA, St. Margaret’s road, Ballymun, Dublin 11

T: 1890 987 938 W: www.ikea.com/ie

2. CHAIR

Vintage French 1950’s school chair €325.00Industry. 5 Smock Alley, Essex St. West, Cow’s Lane,Temple Bar, Dublin 8

T: +353 1 6139111 W: www.industrydesign.ie

3. SOFA

Velvet Chesterfield Sofa £995.00 plus delivery. The French Bedroom Company online store.

T: 0044 8456 448022 W: www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

4. CUSHION

Lovebirds Cushion by designers ‘Timorous Beasties’ £120.00. Available from ‘Rume’.

W: www.rume.co.uk T: 0044 1273 777 810

5. SIDE TABLE

Pop lacquer stool £125.00 Marks & Spencers, stores nationwide.

W: www.marksandspencers.com

xBlanaid

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This is my first interiors feature for the Irish Independent Weekend magazine, which was published two weeks ago. I think the second one is out this Saturday… The idea is that I visit a home which is truely eclectic and unique, and then find five products on the internet or in stores that are inspired by this home. (These are coming up in the next post..)

This home was photographed by the fantastic Dylan Vaughan - a huge thank you to him for the use of the images for this post. We both had great fun visiting the Watts’ home -  the owner Tom has just started a new cucumber pickle company, so we were fed very well on our trip. You REALLY have to try these pickles, even if you think you don’t like them - you’ll love these. Does that make sense? Anyway - visit his ‘Secret Recipe Company’ facebook page >here< and his blog >here< You can also visit his ‘Imagine Wallpaper’ company page >here<!

Now to the article at hand… All the info for the photos is after the jump! >

xBlanaid

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“Tom Watts and his family have created a home that is an idyllic fusion of comfortable family living and incredible design features. As with the best kind of fusion type situations, neither style overwhelms the other – the incredible pieces sourced from flea markets and auction rooms across the world sit back quietly in each room and watch family life mosey along without getting in the way.

The successful renovation of this farmhouse in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny is unsurprising - Watts is renowned for his innovation in bespoke digitally printed interior products. Through his company, Imagine Wallpaper, he prints designs on to almost every surface, be it wallpaper, tiles or even glass kitchen doors.

The family inherited the home four and a half years ago, moving in even though it was in a somewhat disheveled state. In 2008, Tom, along with just one labourer, Arek Kowalek, began the refurbishment – a period that proved both fraught, rewarding and at times even peculiar. At one stage they decided to make the back of the house become the front of the house - effectively turning the house around. When they went to knock a new entrance into the old rear wall of the house, they found an ancient front door already in situ. They had unknowingly followed the design footprint of an ancestral tenant……

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AND SEE MORE PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP!

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It’s photos like this that make me itch with yearning. Insane and amazing, all at the same time.

Ooh and by the way, tomorrow will see one of the longest posts on the blog EVER! It’s the post version of my new column in the Irish Independent Weekender, featuring 16 images of Tom Watt’s eclectic home, courtesy of photographer Dylan Vaughan. Hope you’ll like it!

xBlanaid

image via knightcat

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“The only thing keeping you from being happy is the belief that you are alone.”

Currently addicted to Mad Men. This was a quote in an episode from Season 2, and I just don’t think I can say it any better.

xBlanaid

Category: Fancy Friday  4 Comments

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I’ll be needing this t-shirt. Not sure why, maybe just to blow everyone’s mind at the next Shrek 3D movie or something.

Just $28.00 on Etsy >here<! (As you can see, I have revived my etsy addiction…)

WAIT! Elin Kling below, Lion King here!??! I just blew my own mind. ; )

xBlanaid