Be inspired! From perusing jewels at auction to sipping a mood boosting cocktail, here are some exciting suggestions for the weekend ahead.
Featured Image; Christmas at Arnotts
Browsing: The Christmas Market at Arnotts
Located on the second level, Arnott’s Christmas Market has just opened championing Irish brands with a range of gifts from craft to design, including beauty and fitness items, as well as the winners of this year’s Pitch ’22 brands. This initiative called on start-up companies and new brands to pitch for the chance to sell their products and the chance of winning €10,000 to grow their business. The five finalists range from jewellery to organic skincare and include Brushdoc is a great tool that cleans makeup brushes and sponges in seconds. Niamh Mooney and Ciara Stewart’s brand, Don’t Kill My Vibe, comprises statement silver- or gold-plated jewellery made from recycled brass. Kildare-based Tanya Ryan of Fiadh & Finn paints beautiful keepsake watercolours depicting Irish animals and plants. Galway-based, Mervue Organic create skincare products containing plant botanicals and super fruit extracts, grown, harvested and processed organically, sustainably and ethically – all great ideas for presents and stocking fillers; www.arnotts.ie
Booking: The Park Café, Number One Ballsbridge
After many successful years in London, Irish chef and restaurateur Richard Corrigan has brought a piece of Mayfair to Ballsbridge, with his newly opened restaurant The Park Café. Celebrate the season with a glass of bubbles on its gorgeous terrace, or indoors in the chic Champagne & Oyster Bar before dinner. Small plates, seafood specialties and surprising main courses such spatchcocked partridge, Le Jammet Kebabs and Oxford Kebabs and Oxford “Sandy and Brown piglet (for two) all comply with chef Corrigan’s food philosophy to “source local and keep it simple.” There’s also a stunning private dining room for a night out with friends and family; www.parkcafe.ie
Enjoying: Some ballet
Ballet Ireland’s festive Christmas classic Nutcracker Sweeties has opened this week (at The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin until Saturday, November 19) and will be touring 14 venues around Ireland until December 23. Set in a department store in Dublin, the main characters are Ciara and her brother Fionn, who wander off from their parents. The pair are rescued by the Nutcracker Doll who comes to life transporting them to the magical Kingdom of The Sweets where the two meet the majestic Sugar Plum Fairy. With choreography by Morgann Runacre-Temple, this ballet appeals to all ages with its fairytale setting, exquisite costumes, and a re-imagined Tchaikovsky score. For information on tour dates visit www.balletireland.ie
Sipping at: The Virgin Mary Bar
Drinking alcohol-free just got interesting. The Virgin Mary Bar, Capel Street, Dublin 1, has launched a new “mood boosting” cocktail menu created by beverage director Alex Morrell, designed to take visitors on a flavour journey filled with natural highs to stimulate the mind, body and palate. These “functional cocktails” are created using a range of adaptogens or uplifting botanicals which provide natural benefits to our bodies and minds. For example, the “PBJ” features flavours of raspberry, peanut and pineapple with an added mood booster of CBD oil to lower inhibitions, while the “Good Hope” focuses on notes of coconut and chamomile to relax and unwind. The Virgin Mary Bar has also partnered with local Malaysian cuisine specialists Kopitiam on a tasty Malaysian street food menu that complements its cocktail and drinks menu; www.thevirginmarybar.com
Investing in: This spa membership offer
The Marker Hotel’s spa & wellness centre has a tempting “Bubbles & Bathrobes” membership this month for friends or couples and is perfect for those looking to upgrade their gym and wellness regime pre-Christmas. Those who sign up together for a twelve-month membership will receive a complimentary spa treatment, a luxury bathrobe to wear while sipping on a snipe of prosecco and 20 per cent off spa treatments (Monday-Thursday) throughout the year. Four guest passes to use throughout the year are also included. The spa has an extensive menu of body treatments and massages complemented by facials from SkinCeuticals and Elemental Herbology. This is a limited time only promotion for November; to find out more visit www.anantara.com
Perusing: Jewels at this auction
Christie’s “Jewels Online: The London Edit” is open for bidding until November 25, and offers plenty of day dreaming as well as a great selection of antique and contemporary jewellery, including an impressive private collection Art Deco brooches. What caught my eye was a gorgeous Cartier Art Deco nephrite and diamond vanity case timepiece (pictured), formerly in the collection of Irish aristocrat Gloria Guinness having been gifted by her husband Loel Guinness (estimate: £15,000-20,000). Gloria Guinness is considered one of the most elegant women of the 20th century, and was dressed by fashion designers such as Cristóbal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent. She appeared on the International Best Dressed List from 1959 through 1963, before being instated to its Hall of Fame in 1964; www.christies.com
Shopping: At this pop-up
Irish brands (and sisters) Sinead Keary the Label and BYSK (the make-up range founded by Sarah Keary) are opening a joint pop-up experience on 32 Wicklow Street from this Saturday, November 19 at 10.30am.The Keary sisters will also welcome jewellery brand Crystals and Co. and Louise Cooney’s popular leisurewear brand Cloo Active. On opening day, Sinead Keary, the Label and BYSK will be launching their Black Friday promo in store and will have up to 30 per cent off many items in addition to a fab gift with purchase to the first 50 customers who spend over €50 as well as other surprises over the weekend; www.sineadkeary.com
Ordering
An oven ready meal from the chefs at Fallon & Byrne in time for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24. The Thanksgiving feast features all the traditional favourites without the hard work: roast turkey, sage and onion stuffing, green vegetables, sweet potatoes and all the trimmings along with two individual pumpkin pies for dessert. Available to order online now with delivery options from Wednesday, November 23 to Saturday 26. The meal for two costs €40 and is available for delivery or collection; www.fallonandbyrne.com
Visiting
The Guinness Storehouse, which is launching its “Welcome Home” Christmas experience on Wednesday, November 23, featuring multimedia immersive installations created by Dublin-born award-winning artist GRIF (aka Shane Griffin). Visitors can expect a huge Christmas tree installation in the Guinness Storehouseatrium measuring 16-metres tall, a cinematic film inspired by a Guinness pint, and large bespoke prints created exclusively by GRIF for the Home of Guinness. Afterwards take in the views of Dublin’s winter skyline and toast the holidays in the Gravity Bar and enjoy entertainment and festive fayre across all seven floors of the recently awarded World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience. “Welcome Home” at the Guinness Storehouse and the GRIF installation is included in each experience ticket. To book visit www.guinness-storehouse.com.
Buying
This new Cassia phone bag by LANDA bags available in ecru, pink and tan. Designed with functionality in mind, it’s ideal for quick outings and errands, €98; www.landabags.com
Meeting
Jeweller Natasha Sherling at Hayfield Manor, Co Cork, on Saturday, November 26, where she will be showcasing her extended new ready-to-wear and bridal collections from 2pm-5pm. During this intimate drop-in style session, guests will enjoy bubbles and sweet treats and be able to shop beautiful designs, each influenced by the gemstones Natasha has when travelling at home and aboard.
Bookings can be made at www.natashasherling.ie with a ticket price from €25 per person (each guest will receive a luxe goodie bag). A special discount will be in place for the event. Private appointments can be made from 9am – 1pm.
Going To
The Winter Weekender taking place at various venues across Louth from Thursday, November 24-27. Events include open studios in Bridge Street Studios in Dundalk, Millmount Craft Quarter in Drogheda, and the Garrett Mallon Design House in Carlingford. There are meet the Maker events in The Makers in Blackrock, Co Louth, and lots of online special offers and discounts available. Workshops and live demonstrations scheduled with craftspeople include Soilse Candles, and White Rock Glass Studios. A number of exhibitions are also taking place over the course of the weekend. Full list of all the events available visit www.louthcraftmark.com
Going to
“Stronger together – Irish Fashion Experience” at Studio 10, Wicklow Street, Dublin on Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm. This slow fashion experience includes brands such as Aoife Lifestyle, Tidings, Conor O’Brien Design, Kindred of Ireland and Vanessa Ree. Aoife Rooney of Aoife Lifestyle explains, “With a collective multi-skilled background and over a generation of hands-on experience, inspired by each other’s work ethic, we strive for a contemporary fashion group with a strong focus on slow, circular sustainable practices-for conscious consumers. Now, we are growing stronger together. “;www.aoifelifestyle.com
