Lust after item of the week - Chica Halle Dress in Blush

Love this gorgeous one shoulder mini dress from Chica. The embellishment along the neckline is really lovely. It's available from their website for €229.99.

chicaboutiqueonline.com

Dublin Cookery School - Cup Cake Class

The Cooks Academy located off Carysfort Avenue in Blackrock offer a wide variety of cookery classes for all skills levels. They offer everything from evening, day, week and month long courses. I recently attended the cup cake making/decorating evening class. We had a super time learning everything from how to make different flavours of sponge to the various types of icing and then the extra fun part of decorating the cup cakes. We also brushed a little on sugar craft which was really interesting. As you'll see from above it's not always as easy as it looks to perfect the butter cream icing swirls but we certainly had a great time trying!

They have a new class schedule out at the moment and are offering lots of evening classes including Elegant Edible Gifts, Canapes and Tapas for Christmas and Cooking for Friends. They also have a Pop Up Restaurant Night where you can bring a gang of friends (or just the other half) and have a four course meal with a glass of champagne. Classes start around € 45.

If you're interested in signing up you can book through their website http://www.dublincookeryschool.ie/

Carton House - Bringing The Taste Home recipe book

Especially in time for Christmas Carton House have published, Carton House, Bringing the Taste Home, a beautiful 145 page book of luxurious recipes based on a year in the life of one of Ireland's busiest kitchens. Each mouth-watering seasonal recipe is accompanied by photography of both the food and one of Ireland's most beautiful venues and all carefully selected by Executive Head Chef Cathal Kavanagh. I'm really looking forward to trying out the fig, goat's cheese and proscuitto skewers and the roast vegetable bake. You can buy this perfect stocking filler from their website shop.cartonhouse.com

Penneys limited edition collection arrives!

 

The limited edition collection has started to arrive! It will be available in selected stores throughout the county. This seasons limited edition collection is sexy, sophisticated and girly. It's also suitably glittery for the Christmas season! The first of these pieces have landed in stores and are available for a limited time only. The best part, prices range between only €13 to €25.



Vaseline 'bottle amnesty'

Super idea from the makers of Vaseline!

This Saturday in the Dundrum Town Centre they are running a moisturiser bottle amnesty to promote their new range of Essential Moisture body lotions. The Unilever owned brand is inviting people to bring an old bottle of moisturiser along to the centre tomorrow between 12pm and 3pm and to swap it for a free 200ml sized bottle of Vaseline Essential Moisture.

“The bottle amnesty demonstrates our confidence in this great new range,” said Lauren Brooking, from Vaseline Ireland. “The amnesty is a fun and new way to encourage women to streamline their hoards of products and be rewarded with the only body lotion they need, Vaseline Essential Moisture. 

I'll definitely be there!

Hair free for Summer 2012?

I know it seems like a really really long time away but now is the optimal time to start with Laser Hair Removal if you’re thinking about doing it in time for next Summer. Here’s the down low on my experience of the process:

The place: Laserway Dundrum (located in the Dundrum shopping centre)

The therapists: All of them are fab!


The process: Over the space of about a year I went every month to get a treatment done. The treatment lasted about one hour each time (I was getting quite a few areas done so this can be a lot less). They have a fantastic new laser machine here that is virtually pain free. It’s a little bit like the whole waxing thing where you will find that some areas are more sensitive then others but overall it’s not too bad at all. You’ll have shaved the area in advance of coming in, they then apply a cooling aloe vera gel and the laser is rubbed over your skin for short periods of time.

The results: Were incredible. I can’t speak highly enough of this treatment. If you have strong dark hair it’s a must. I’m still waiting to hear from someone who’s had lighter hair try it out but from my experience and a few of my friends so far I’ve heard nothing but good things.

Things to note: You cannot go out in the sun during or before the process for a few months – hence now is a good time to get it done while you’re wrapped up in your winter woolies.

You also can’t use fake tan during the process – again good time to be wrapped up in tights etc!

It is so important to go somewhere reputable. This is not a treatment where I would recommend going for the cheapest deal. It’s too risky when lasers are involved. Do your research before you sign up!


www.laserway.ie

Bobbi Brown Christmas & Party 2011 collection

I really love the new Bobbi Brown's Christmas collection - they've really pulled out all the stops this year to make sure there's something for everyone in this palette-centered line.

Their signature plain black packaging has had a glamorous makeover, adding a chrome border to the cases for the party season. Their collection includes a fragrance, brush sets, a travel kits, eye shadow, eye liners and their lip palette celebrating their 20th birthday.

One of the highlights of this collection has to be their dual ended eyeliners. I really like this silver and black one. It has good staying powder and the silver ads some glam to the look!

The collection is available from all Bobby Brown concessions.

No bake white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake

This is a take on the Gordon Ramsay no bake cheesecake recipe. It's a really easy dessert to make in advance of friends coming over. It's lovely served in little shot glasses as you only really need a taster it's so rich and delicious!

Ingredients

Topping

• 8 Digestive biscuits
• 6 tablespoons caster sugar
• 100 g unsalted butter

White chocolate and raspberry cream cheese

• 400 g cream cheese
• 6 tablespoons icing sugar
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1 Vanilla pod split
• 600 ml Double cream
• white chocolate bar
• 200g raspberries

To finish

• Grated white chocolate to dust

Method

Make the base first. Coarsely grind the biscuits in a food processor. Melt the sugar in a heavy-based non-stick pan until it begins to caramelise, then carefully add the butter, shaking the pan to mix the caramel with the butter as it melts. Add the ground biscuits and toss to coat in the caramel. Put a small amount of the biscuit mixture into each glass. 

For the vanilla cream cheese, put the cream cheese, icing sugar and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the seeds from the vanilla pod and beat until smooth. In another bowl, lightly whip the cream to soft peaks, then fold into the cream cheese mixture. Add the raspberries into the mixture and grate the bar of chocolate in too. Then stir.

Fill with the shot glasses with the cream cheese mixture and level the tops with the back of a knife. Chill until ready to serve.

If you've any raspberries left over add to the top for decoration before serving and grate some more white chocolate over them. Voila! Amazing easy cheesecake!

Top pick of boots for Winter

Reiss Moon boots - £156 (were £195)

These are part of the 40th Collection. The Moon is a soft suede ankle boot with inside zip, and glamorous textured gold platform and heel.

http://www.reissonline.com/

River Island light brown boots - £110

Knee high boots with gold r.i logo detail, heel height 9cm.

http://www.riverisland.com/

Aldo Catto boots - £130

A tone-on-tone fringe detail down the side accentuates the modern Boho vibe of these tall boots. Other great features include wedge heel and almond-shaped toe.

http://www.aldoshoes.com/uk/women/boots/wedge-boots/86647170-catto/91



Rock and Shop update - the discounts!

The Dazzling Discounts available tonight:

a|wear – 25% | Accessorize – 20% | Aldo - 10% | BCool – 10%| Bertoni – 10% | Brambles – 10% | Bose  – 10% | BT2 – 10% | Carraig Donn – 20% | Cath Kidston – 15% | Champion Sports – 15% | Clarks – 20% | Coast – 20% | Dune – 20% | Du Pareil au Meme – 30% | Early Learning Centre – 20% | East – 20% | Esprit – 20% | Fat Face – 15% | Fast Fix – up to 20% | Fields – 20% off diamonds & jewellery, 10% off watches and branded jewellery | Fitzpatricks Shoes – 20% off ladies & mens, 10% off Hunters and Uggs, 30% off Bags | Fran & Jane – 20% | French Connection – 15% | Game – 10% | Gant  – 10% | Gap – 30%| Gerry Weber – 20% | Giddy Studios – 20% off family portraits | G-Star – 10% | H&M – 20% | Hamleys – 10% excl concessions | House of Fraser – up to 30% | Hughes & Hughes – 20% off books | Hugo Boss – 10% | Inglot – 20% | Karen Millen – 20% | La Senza – 20% | Laundry Room – 25% | LK Bennett – 20% | Lifestyle Sports – 20% | Lipsy – 20% | L’Occitane en Provence – 20% | Marks and Spencer – 25% on ladies footwear & selected evening wear, 50% off champagne and more discounts in-store | Mamas & Papas – 10% | Mc Cabes Pharmacy – 10% off beauty and fragrance | Mexx – 20% | Molton Brown – 20% | Monsoon – 20% | Name It – 25% | Neola – 20% | O2 – 10% | Oasis – 20% | Office – 20% | Pamela Scott – 10% | Pink – 20% off beauty products | Pixsavers – up to 25% off selected cameras | River Island – 20% | Sisley – 20% | Sony  – 10% | Starbucks – 10% off all hot drinks | Sunglass Hut – 20% off selected brands | The Body Shop – 20% | Timberland – 20% | Tommy Hilfiger – 20% | Urban Outfitters – 20% | Watchmaster – 20%

Lust after item of the week - Zara party ballerina pumps

These are a fab little pair of pumps! Great for adding a bit of glam to a work outfit or with jeans. They cost €39.95 and can be bought in store or online at Zara.com

Dundrum’s Shop & Rock this Thursday 17th November

Back by very popular demand, Dundrum’s Shop & Rock takes place this Thursday November 17th, from 9pm until Midnight. 

For one night only, stores will offer amazing discounts.  An exciting line-up of entertainment will include live music acts and the return of the popular West Coast Cooler bar to keep shoppers refreshed. 

  

Discounts will be revealed to the Shop & Rock mailing list 24 hours before the event!  Stores discounting on the night include:

Accessorize | Aldo | awear | Bose | Brambles |  Bertoni | BCool | Best Menswear | Carraig Donn | Cath Kidston | Champion Sports | Coast | Du Pareil au Meme | Dune | Early Learning Centre | East | Esprit | Fat Face | Fast-Fix | Fitzpatrick’s Shoes | Fields Jewellers | Fran & Jane | French Connection | Gap | Gant | Gerry Weber | G-Star | H&M | Harvey Nichols | Hobbs | Hughes & Hughes | Hugo Boss | Inglot | Karen Millen | LK Bennett | La Senza | L’Occitane en Provence | Laundry Room | Lifestyle Sports | Lipsy | Mc Cabes Pharmacy | Mexx | Monsoon | Name It | Neola | O2| Oasis | Office | Pamela Scott | Pink | River Island | Schuh | Sisley | Sony | The Body Shop | Timberland | Tommy Hilfiger | Urban Outfitters | Vodafone

Get your shop on ladies!

Sansana Spa - two treatments for €60

For the month of November Sansana Spa in the Dun Laoghaire Marine Hotel have a special offer of €60 for two treatments. You can choose between a back massage, mini facials, pedicure and manicure. You will also get use of the swimming pool, sauna, float waterbeds and relaxation room.

It really is a gorgeous spa. Perfect for a bit of rest and relaxation either on your own, with your friends or nice also with a partner. There are so many lovely little restaurants in Dun Laoghaire too it's the perfect chance to make a day out of it with lunch and some treatments to cheer up a wintery month.

House of Harlow 1960 jewellery collection

I really like the new jewellery collection from House of Harlow 1960 by Nicole Richie. Very boho chic. The big statement rings are particularly fab. You can buy the collection from one of my favourite fashion and accessories websites http://www.singer22.com/

Hairy toed Louboutins?

Not so sure about the latest offering from shoe designer Christian Louboutin. These sparkly lions paw heels have been seen on Blake Lively in New York this morning. Also Sarah Jessica Parker wore the Louboutin heels to the Moscow premiere of We Don't Know How She Does It in August.

Hard as nails

With winter and the cold weather here I'm finding my nails are really splitting and breaking easily. The heat on at home, in work and in the car are doing them no favours! I went in to Boots the other day to find something to give them a boost and came across this product. It's a bit of an oldie but definitely good enough to get a mention. Since using this (even after one day) I've noticed a big change in my nails. They are stronger, more flexible and have stopped breaking. A brilliant product to get you through this chilly season.

Christmas menu at Mao + home delivery

I was grabbing a quick bite to eat in Dundrum last night in Mao and noticed there new special menu for Christmas. They have a fantastic offer of 3 courses for €20. Mix this with their very reasonable wine and cocktail menu and you've got yourself a great deal! Delicious CosMAOpolitans for only €4.95.... you can't go wrong!

Also I had a quick look at the website there and spotted that they now have a delivery service. Mmmmm. It's currently available from only Baggot Street but they're also opening up a Donnybrook location soon.

http://www.cafemao.com/athome/

Fab Chica Boutique bangles

Check out these gorgeous new bangles arriving in Chica Boutique soon. Price TBC. No doubt they'll sell out fast.... super stocking fillers for those stylish ladies in your life!

Versace collection for H&M stores

Check out the Versace for H&M designs. This very vivid collection is rich in tropical prints and bright tones. It very much lived up to the Italian designer's reputation for high-octane glamour, bearing all the hallmarks of the flamboyant design house. Personally a little out there for me! Would love to know what you think?!!

 Here's the TV ad showing off the full collection too: Versace for H&M 2011

Ranelagh Uncorked Wine Festival - Sun 13th - Fri 18th Nov

This is the second year of the wine festival in Ranelagh. There are numerous events happening the whole week in the village. If you're in to wine then this is the place to be! The event will kick off this Sunday 13th November with Flamenco Night at La Bodega. The entrance is free to book Tel:  (01) 497 5577. Followed by:

Monday 14th November, 2011

Charity Food & Wine Quiz. Price €50.00 per person. An evening of entertainment based around food and wine. 

To book, contact the Wild Goose Grill Tel:  (01) 491 2377

 

Wednesday 16th November, 2011

McSorley's Pub, Wine Tasting Evening, hosted by Febvre & Co. Admission Free

To Book: Tel McSorley's at (01) 497 9775

 

Wednesday 16th November, 2011

Uncorked Tuscany at Pinocchio Wine Bar & Restaurant  Price €30.00 per person

To book Tel: (01) 497 0111

 

Thursday 17th November, 2011

The Wine Buff,  Ranelagh Triange.  Ranelagh's newest wine shop will be opening its doors for a tasting of French Wines. Admission is free. 

To book  Tel: (01) 498 3552

 

Friday 18th November, 2011

Redmonds Off Licence, tasting of the Gold Star Award Wines 2011

These award winning wines were judged by a panel of trade experts to be the best on offer.  Some stunning wines available to taste. Admission Free. To Book Tel: (01) 497 1739