Cinderella Goes to the Ball on a Post Christmas Budget

I'm more Bridget Jones than Cinderella, more likely to get soaked in a puddle than dance the night away in delicate glass shoes.  

I'm more Bridget Jones than Cinderella

However, this not-so-posh Miss did her best to get ready for the ball this weekend on a small budget and without mishap. I (mostly) succeeded. We wont count sticking my finger through the first pair of 'ladder-resistant' stockings and a disastrous attempt at instant tanning. 

Generally, I prefer one-of-a-kind items made by small designers over recognisable big labels. I find you get value for money without going cheap. More importantly, there's no fear of someone else having the same piece. When it comes to accessories, it's Etsy all the way and of course, my own handmade jewellery. I do beauty on a budget, choosing carefully what to splurge on and so spend my hard earned cash supporting fellow Irish Etsians and small local businesses where possible.

honey, a reviving face mask

Looking a bit wilted, I first needed a reviving face pack to perk up my wintry skin. Having tried and tested all sorts of promising products and natural recipes over the years, I swear by sweet and simple honey. Just spread a little bit of it on your make-up free face, avoiding the eye area, and tip of the nose (for drips). Leave it to work for 10 to 20 mins before you jump in the shower. It's like an instant refresher facial that plumps out the skin and puts the life back into it. Brilliant if you've skimped on beauty sleep. As well as delivering minerals and moisture, it is mildly antiseptic; good for spot-prone and oily skin as well as dry or tired complexions.

The previous day I had exfoliated and polished the rest of my skin with a mixture of sea salt and honey from the kitchen cupboard. Granted, despite all that, I still had the fore-mentioned mishap with instant tan,  and had to make do with a tint of bronzing make-up. 

Supporting local and/or small businesses as ever, I had my hair and nails done nearby at New Look Hair And Beauty Bar, on Clanbrassil Street. This is a small but growing business that is much more than your average local hair and beauty salon. Away from the city centre bustle, tucked on a corner in Dublin 8, it is run by Trish, an astute business woman who really understands customer service. I'm a little dance-dishevelled by the time of the photos, but loving this modern, messy bun, creatively done by stylist, Raissa.

Like many crafts, jewellery making and especially wire wrapping, spells disaster for a girl's nails. Trish did a massive job getting my short talons to look decent in just 15 mins with a file and shape and Shellac polish for €20. As I was going almost head to toe in black, I chose a colourful magenta to match my eyeshadow and scarf.

 

The super soft kid-mohair and silk scarf was delicately knit by my Etsy pal, Brigitte, owner of Purls of Colour. It is soft and wispy like a silk cobweb. You can't see them well in the photos, but there are tiny silver seed beads woven into the ends of the scarf. People often mistakenly think a handmade item is or should be cheap. But a lot of time and effort goes into creating quality handmade goodies. If well made like this, it should last longer than the mass produced alternatives. A scarf of such quality and softness was a steal at €54. 

In these 'recessionary' times I wasn't about to blow my fun money on a new, floor length dress that I will probably never wear again. I had this Ben De Lisi number in my wardrobe since last year. It matched my main criteria, i.e., after Christmas, it still fits and the lines skim over the bumps! Saved me from resorting to Bridget Jone's style knickers! (BTW Photo apologetically borrowed from Debenhams where I bought the dress.)

 

These are two dresses I really would have loved to have and wear: the flattering panelled dress by Belinda Sullivan is on my wishlist or, if I had the figure for it, the Gatsby-style lacy number by Alice Halliday. Both designers are local and found on Etsy.

 

My jewellery was, naturally, made by myself. The onyx earrings are almost identical to 'Midnight in Dublin' available in my shop, except my own pair are a tiny tad shorter. The necklace started out life as a bracelet but I converted it to a choker with a length of double link chain. 

My bag is a vintage little gem that I picked up a couple of years ago from Jelly Tottlers. When it comes to bags, I simply adore vintage, especially one in a quintessentially 50s or 60s shape. 80s can be fun too but I can't believe I am old enough to have lived through an era that is now considered vintage.

All girls know there's an art to squishing all you need into a small bag. This one fits a few mini touch up products, lipstick, perfume, keys and phone but I also had to squash in my camera. The inner pockets are zipless pouches and my wallet simply wouldn't fit.

slimline petal purse by HuggleKnits.

Then I remembered a small crochet purse that another Etsy friend had given me. This petal purse by Mo of HuggleKnits is super slimline and flexible enough to squidge into an evening bag.

So that was me done. And despite the rain, I didn't get soaked in a puddle. Nor did I meet Colin Firth, but that would have been an entirely different kind of blog post...

***

Related links:

Downton Abbey inspired Earrings (blog post)

Black onyx bracelet (Etsy listing)

Bright & Cheerful 80s (Murder Mystery Costume Ideas)

This coming month I shall be attending another Murder Mystery Game, this time set in the 80s! What fun - giant shoulder pads, Lycra, leg warmers, big hair and bright accessories jump to mind! Oh let's not forget the midnight blue mascara! I can't wait to make some jewelry for the party!

from Pretty in Pink (ref You Tube)

Do I go all rebellious a la  Madonna, or ooooh, remember Molly Ringwald's original style in Pretty in Pink? Or why don't I play it cool in black like The Cure...I guess I will know when I'm given my 'character' this week....

So 80s cerise button pendant

Still, I can't help thinking about 80s jewellery. Growing up in the pre-grunge decade, too much was never enough when it came to  bright and colourful accessories. If it wasn't Miami Vice pastels it was blinding neons and let's not forget CERISE PINK....that wholesome fuscia phase fell somewhere between my retro rocker stint and a short (but sulky) dalliance with post-punk; when all-black was the new black, safety pins were jewelry and you couldn't see my chalky face under heavily kholled eyes and the long spiky-top version of the mullet. (Pah EMO kids listen up...we did it aaaaall before yiz....oh dear, I'm turning into my Mum., aren't I?)

Long pearl earrings, Handmade by Amo'r

At some point, I followed the trend for long strings of fake pearls, knotted in the middle. I had them in pastel shades of yellow, pink, blue, cream....and thought I was the business! These were teamed with long, faux pearl earrings and in true 80s excess, an armful of bangles and bracelets. The earrings shown above were inspired by recently remade Great Gatsby movie set in the 20s, but would not have been at all out of place in 1986.

It just so happens I recently made myself this bright, summer pendant for fun. (Big button purchased from my Etsy colleague, Hazel of The Irish Knitting Room.) The flower pendant may do nicely for the 80s party.

But yesterday one of my friends said something that hadn't occurred to me at all. What if my character is a man??!! (oh no, please let him be styled like Boy George or Phil Oakey so I can be creative...anything at all as long as it's not Don Johnson from the original Miami Vice! Sorry Don, but I'm not wearing a baby pink suit.)

I will be back with photos of my eventual costume later on in the month. In the meantime if you are looking for costume ideas here are my blog posts about previous Murder Mystery parties I've been to:

1960S COSTUMES
1940S COSTUMES
or 1900s for Bloomsday:
BLOOMSDAY COSTUME

Easy To Fasten Jewelry

I'm a big fan of throw-on jewelry. I have oodles of patience and dexterity to wire wrap stones and seaglass or bead a long eyeglass chain. Oddly enough though, I can't stand messing about with finicky little clasps when it comes to blinging up.  And I'm not alone in that.

larger losbster clasp

handmade hook and eye clasp

In my case it's because I tend to fling on a necklace just before grabbing my coat. But my Mum has arthritic fingers, something I must bear in mind when making a piece for her. She prefers a larger lobster clasp or (my favourite,) a big hook and eye. Some of my customers have the same requirements and if the clasp is too dainty for them I will customise when possible.

rounder lobster clasp with extender chain

 

                  Connemara marble pendant with extender chain

An extender chain tends to have broad appeal, even with a standard sized trigger or lobster clasp. Not only does it allow for adjustable sizing, but it can be easier to latch onto at first go than a tag as the links tend to be wider.

Seaglass pendant on crochet chain 

 Recently, I began searching for something fresh and edgy to use for my seaglass pendants. I don't crochet - another thing I don't seem to have the fingers for, but maybe one day I'll come to grips with it....'scuse the pun. As an experiment, I commissioned some cotton crochet chains from the very talented Mo of Huggle Knits,  I've been using one of these chains myself now for a couple of months on my own personal seaglass and button pendants to see how it wears. I absolutely love it! Not only has it kept its shape and not gone all fluffy or dirty looking, but it has to be the easiest chain I've ever put on. And it's so light and comfortable, I forget I'm wearing it.

The crochet chain closes with a button. The hypoallergenic cotton is elastic enough to stretch the loop over it, without even looking in mirror. Just what you need as you rush out the door. Yet, the chain does not sag or stretch under the weight of my seaglass pendants. And if it does get make up or perfume on it, a quick wash with soapy water is all it requires.

First Communion bracelet

gemstone bracelet with sterling silver toggle clasp

When it comes to bracelets, an extender chain is always useful. Many find it much easier to latch the clasp onto it with one hand than onto a tag. However, Toggle clasps are generally easier again, once you get the hang of them, that is.

Asymmetrical, gemstone necklace, silver plate

Ease of use also comes into play in my necklace designs. Oftentimes, I will use a toggle clasp placed at the front or side instead of the back. This allows for a modern, asymmetrical style

asymmetrical necklace, sterling silver

Just as importantly, you can throw on the necklace without any help or a mirror.  Handy if you are on the run or up-styling your work outfit as you head off to the office night out.

                                        Adjustable slip knots                   Pendant on adjustable chord                                 

For a more casual look, an adjustable chord necklace can be really handy and easy to use, especially if you prefer to wear your necklaces long. Like any long necklace, just slip it over your head. Then if you want to wear it short, you just slide the knots away from each other. The soft suedette in the turquoise necklace above slides easily with just the right amount of traction. 

You can make this type of adjustable, chord necklace yourself. To learn how, click HERE