Little Gem: The Cat's Meow.

Here's another new semi-regular segment for y'all! Little Gem is when I find somewhere great and want to share the info with you guys. This time around (because, once again, I'm not going to promise a weekly or even monthly thing here) it's the Cat's Meow on Francis St, a vintage store and all around Aladdin's cave of wonder.

Where? - 74 Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland

More info? - Their facebook page.

What? - Vintage clothing and accessories, thrifting opportunities, repurposed homewares, bespoke hats from Laura of Crimson and Clover (loving the name), trinkets, jewellery and vintage makeovers via Maureen Smith and Maite Lopez of Locks and Lashes.

UNICORN!!!

With a large range of items and interesting stock, most are bound to find something that catches their eye. It's apparent that every product has been thoughtfully bought and picked out by hand and the staff are both friendly and excited about what they do. This atmosphere of interest and friendliness compliments the awesome vintage tunes being cranked and the enjoyable browsing opportunities. While there's not much for the guys they are still somewhat accounted for. Prices are pretty reasonable and I spotted quite a few higher end steals. 

If you go in ready to rummage and with some fun in your heart, you'll have a ball. WEaB recommended for sure!

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Sea Salt Hair Spray.

So, I've been a major sea salt spray (or S³) for a while now. Around three years, I think. It's hard to remember but I've had my bottle of Lee Stafford sea salt spray for a while. It's the only product I ever really use in my hair and even then, I do so sparingly. It has all sorts of alcohol and not-so-good-for-your-hair stuff in it. But it is my favourite look so I wanted to find a way to replicate the texture cheaply, easily and less harmfully so I could use it on the reg.

Research online showed lots of different recipes so I went through a whole bunch and recomposed my own recipe to my own tastes. Here's how to make your own.

You'll need:
Sea Salt
An empty spray bottle
Aloe Vera Gel
Conditioner
250ml of warm water

Optional Extras:
Essential oils for different problems you may have with your hair/for scent

1. Boil around 250ml of water. Set aside in a cup and allow to cool until warm rather than hot.

2. Pour into spray bottle.

3. Add a teaspoon of salt. Shake and allow to dissolve and settle.

4. Add a half teaspoon of conditioner and mix. I used an Argan Oil infused conditioner to be extra kind to my hair but you can equal substitute coconut oil here.

5. Add a half teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel - this can be replaced by hair gel as we're using it for hold. Aloe Vera has the benefit, however, of being natural and adding a nice scent.

6. Essential oils can be added at this point. I didn't bother as the aloe and Argan oil made it smell lovely as it was.

And there you have it! It gives a slightly more authentic beachy look to the hair but be aware that your hair will need to dry for a while after application. Unlike the store-bought stuff, this is made up of a lot more water and spray bottles like the one I used tend to disperse more of the mixture than the spray of a Lee Stafford bottle.

Let me know if anyone tries this out and what they think of it! I think this will work as a great lazy-but-lovely look for the S/S season. x

What crazy stuff is in my bag? - The more the merrier.

My new weekly segment continues. This week sees less toys and more being a boy scout/finding bargains.

So, aside from my dayplanner, pencil case, passport, notebook (and reading for a seminar), sunglasses and Smarties - which are standard bag affair and were seen in the previous post - there was:

Irish Film Institute programme for February.

Bad weather preparedness:

Umbrella

Hat

Windbreaker

A wetwipe 

Two Euro Shop Shenanigans:

Hello Kitty Pen-keyring

Maxell Earphones

Hair Chalk (such good value - go buy!)

Travel Mug

Argan Oil Conditioner

Frog Water Pouch

Tiger:

Stretchy Metallic String

Earring Fastenings

Organic Aloe Vera Gel

Oriflame Compact Power

Dr Bronner Organic Lip Balm

Lush:

Dirty Toothy Tabs

Tea Tree Toner

Topshop:

Glitter Nail Polish x 2 (More colours available in person)

Glitter Sticks x 2

Glitter Tub 

What will I find in my bag next? The Holy Grail? A UFO? All the socks you've ever lost? Who knows! Tune in next week to find out.

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Miu Miu S/S 2014 Campaign Side-ponytail.

How cute, right?

And how easy to accomplish. As in, if I can do it ANYONE can. I'm gonna break it down into some steps with photos to help - YAYYY!

PS I'm not wearing makeup - soz - but not really.

1. Create a dramatic side-part or exaggerate existing side-part, like so.

Before

After

2. Make a ponytail on the side of your head and keep drawing it to the side and upwards until high on the head. I find this is easier than just trying to make a high side-pony right away and keeps the hair neat. 

3. Wrap a strand of hair around to hide the elastic of your hair-tie. Secure this and the desired position with pins.

4. Curl the ponytail in large sections to create big, bouncy curls. 

5. You can add hairspray for hold but I didn't and it lasted just fine! Yay to less chemicals!

So there you have it. And really, if I can do it, it HAS to be super-easy.

Viktor & Rolf S/S 2014 - Why didn't I do ballet?

Sometimes, the styling, execution and concept of a show come together so beautifully that it is a hairs breadth away from art. Such was the Viktor & Rolf 2014 showing.

I often think my life would be better and more complete if I'd been a ballerina. I'd be fit and have the gracefulness that has eluded and tantalised me my whole life. Completely unfounded is my certainty that I would have been good. I could not tell you why I think this, I just feel it.

Shows like the Viktor & Rolf make me ache for that life that never was. Members of the Dutch National Ballet served as the models and danced down the runway. The hair was a little Grudge-like and the light somewhat eerie but it was creepy in that beautiful, fragile way that makes me fall in love with a Poe, Munch or Burton. The idea of blurring the boundaries between skin and cloth, making the two work together symbiotically, is again, somewhat creepy, almost like the garments were alive. But what mysterious, wonderful creatures.

Can I live in that world that looks like animated little birds have flown in to dress me?

(Images from vogue.co.uk)