Long Time
There are friends I haven’t seen in a long time.
There are places I haven’t been in a long time.
There are activities I haven’t done in a long time.
And there are ways I haven’t felt in a long time.
I think it’s easy to get distracted in life and let yourself get swept up in a wheel of work and existence only to look up and realise… it’s May. Of course a busy lifestyle can be fun and rewarding but it will always come to a time when someone asks you ‘how’s (enter long-time close friend’s name that you haven’t seen in forever)?’ or ‘when were you last in (enter place that you promise to visit often to catch up with family but haven’t actually managed it in almost half a year)?’ or ‘how are you getting on with your (enter activity that you get so much joy and satisfaction from but have left its half-finished fruits gathering dust for as long as you can remember)?’. All of these questions lead to a little flinch from me followed by feelings of remorse, frustration and a little bit of anxiety. Not the feelings that haven’t been around for a while …. not those feelings that I was looking forward to experiencing again!
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Stork’s Arrival & Dublin Vintage Fair: the countdown!
What a week… t’was a Vintage one for sure!
Lots of goings on in the lead up to the fourth Spring Dublin Vintage & Decor Fair which takes place Sunday coming. And just when I thought the week couldn’t get any better it culminated in hearing that my wonderful friend, our very own Marilyn Monroe, gave birth to a wonderful baby boy this morning… much to the excitement of the lucky little fella’s two big sisters who I know are going to excel in their new roles. We usually have the pleasure of all three of the girls company at the Vintage Fairs but I’ve a feeling this Sunday may be less about Vintage dresses and more about Vintage memories as they all hang out with the now two men in their lives and enjoy life as a five-piece. Massive love to all of them… x
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Love Letter to Jenny
Of all the Vintage stores around the country, it is surely Jenny Vander that evokes most affection in the hearts of nostalgic fashion lovers. This is certainly true of myself and became more apparent when I finished this post only to find it was less blog, more novel. So here you have it … an unashamed rambling ode to Dublin’s loveliest Vintage dame.
Originally opened 30 years ago, you can’t but admire the incredible vision of first owner Carey Fagan on bringing such a concept to the capital, long before Vintage was ‘in vogue’. But of course Jenny Vander has attracted a succession of strong independent women to her bosom. After working as an assistant in the store, an incredibly young Eve Linders bravely took over the business herself when Carey decided to move on. Eve then ran it until about 19 years ago at which time she left Dublin. Enter Gail Kinsella.
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Vintage Musings: Hems & Gems, Wexford
My most vivid childhood memories are set in Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. I remember the journey down where everyone in the car competed to be the first to spot the Church (I never won but I’m pretty sure my siblings were cheating); the distinct bouquet from my Nana’s back garden (front door was reserved for important people), the much-referred to ‘Plantation’ (a sort of ‘no-man’s land’ we crossed to get from the back of the houses to the far road, the purpose of which I’m still at a loss); the handball court (no one every seemed to play handball there – I think it was more for courting), the Great Southern playground (we weren’t guests but we were always on the swings – as far as I know we were trespassers); the 100 steps to the beach (fun on the way down, traumatic on the way back) and our favourite experience, the weekly trip into Wexford town on a Saturday morning with both grandparents. Shopping in Quinnsworth for Nana whilst the rest of us took a much anticipated visit to the second hand book with Grandad (I can still smell the books … they were possibly my first ‘Vintage’ love). We always came home with a book or comic under our arms… delighted with ourselves.
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Dandelions, Surfboards and Pop-up Shops
Upon entering Dandelion Daydreamer Vintage pop-up store I came across two ladies completely absorbed in their prospective Vintage clothing tasks; one tending to the aged threads on her knee, examining for worn areas that may need attention, the other on her laptop, filling orders and replying to queries. A lovely fusion of tradition and modernity … a perfect snapshot of the life of the Vintage online trader I think. Only perhaps not everyone in this role is as lucky to have their mum on hand to help with the sorting duties – but of course the workload has increased greatly over the last couple of weeks with the opening of the month long venture pop-up store in Swords Plaza so all family help is welcomed… even that of sisters that may like to wear the clothing more than sell it. I think most girls can relate!
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