Self-taught

Music plays a large large part in my life but despite tin whistle lessons in school (compulsory) I never really played an instrument as a child. I have an older brother who plays the guitar and drums and has one of those cool track mixers that so must of my early dalliances involved creeping into his room when he was out. I was given a keyboard when I was twelve and I mostly played 'demo' on it. Aged fifteen I asked my brother to teach me to play a few chords on his guitar and well...he wasn't very patient with me and finally excused himself from any further ventures by telling me my were 'too small to play guitar'. So never one to ask for a man's help twice I went and bought myself a harmonica and I've been dabbling with it ever since. Now it's time to nurture my love of the xylophone and thankfully the age of blogs and videos make lessons so much easier



Neopolitan dreams xylophone by tchitcha25


Blau x

Hostess Hero: Alison Mosshart

Oh Miss Mosshart how do you do it? Firece, crazed and talented this rock'n'rock devilwoman is near to being the perfect woman, in my eyes anyway. From her work with Jamie Hince in The Kills to her musical antics with Jack White in The Dead Weather she always delivers.

Previous Hostess Heroes include; Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and MIA.

Blau x



Image via We Heart It

She Bangs

Given the amount of time I've spent lusting over the hair of  Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry the past twelve months it seemed only right I should brave the bang and bring back my full fringe (pictured above, and starighten for the Perry effect). So far no regrets; it even nicely keeps my forehead warm and think of the money I'll save on foundation...joking, kinda.

Thoughts?

Blau x

Images via We Heart It

Lover. A Dance for One.

Australian brand Lover is known for it's gorgeous quality. Started by creative couple Susien Chong and Nic Briand in 2001, they somehow know the secret to creating mind blowing styles that are still simple, timeless and wearable. The label has risen to prominence in Australia and internationally, developing a cult and celebrity following. Lover's look embodies "romance, drama and a touch of rock'n'roll swagger"

When asked to explain who or what is Lover, the couple reply; "We started the label based on what we loved and admired, in turn we've created our own world with a mix and match of our favourite heroes, muses, films and songs. We've found Lover ladies all over the world who share a similar vision who have re-interpreted the garments in their way, and for us that's perfect." Available from Bona Drag.

Clean and simple.

That dress on the bottom right, that's going to be my wedding dress.

Blau x

Images via Bona Drag

Ten Things

I do love blogger to blogger awards. A chance to build on your existing relationships and an opportunity to forge new blogging friendships. I also like to take the occasional chance to share a bit more of  personal life you you kind people.

The lovely Laura of Glamours Glue was kind enough to tag me in the Kreativ Blogger award so here I am carrying it on. First I tag ten of my favourite bloggers (and I'm trying avoid those who have already been tagged) and then I share with you ten facts about myself..so here I go!

Ten bloggers...

Sarah of  My Third Cousin
Rhona of Rose Tinted Uncertainty
Kitty Cat of Red Lemonade
Sarah of The Licentiate
Dawn of Skinni Peach
Sinead of Fashion House and Her Style Diaries
Janey of Noisy Shoes
Lavelle of Kisses and Cross Stitches
Cathy of The Style Strutter
Lorna of Things I Fell In Love With Today


Ten facts...

I really really wish I could be in London today to help Ezzie celebrate her birthday.
I spent yesterday morning working at a Teddy Bear Hospital (as shown on TV3 news, you can see the back of me twice!).
I'm already wondering what I'll be for Halloween.
I wont leave the house without pencilling my eyebrows. Its all about the power brow.
My favourite Disney is The Jungle Book.
I do a face mask and hair mask every Sunday.
If I were to become a collector of anything it would be all the early issues of  The Face involving Kate Moss.
I've never listened to an Oasis album in full.
I cant be in the same room as a Meg Ryan movie.
I'm fascinated by puppets.




Blau x

(Malin + Goetz)

(MALIN+GOETZ) family-owned and operated apothecary in New York's Chelsea neighborhood launched March 2004.  The Chelsea store, while modern in every way, is similar to traditional neighborhood apothecaries of years past: full of activity, wonderful treatments, and great customer service. Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz waited on each customer themselves for the first three years and still live in Chelsea around the corner from the store, similar to chemists 100 years ago. Their wholesale operation, shipping and packing, all happened from behind this store-until they outgrew this space in 2007.  And, of course, their bulldogs, Bob and Junior, became superstars as passers-by stopped to photograph the "dogs in the window".

Why I always smell like rum....

Blau x

Cocktails at the Clarion

So the weekend wind blew Ezzie into Cork. I love when that happens and well I do what I always do when this lady is around; indulge and bask in extravagance. A hostess adventure to The Clarion Hotel it was with cocktails in the Kudos bar right off the boardwalk for that speakeasy style of the Boardwalk Empire. Getting right into that prohibition feel we were ladies who experimented with turbans and modern flapper attitude. The only room for brief disappointment was the lack of White Russian on the cocktail menu but Senor Mojito always saves the night.

How many sleeps til London fun?

Ezzie has promised to give me the a 'Shoreditch makeover'.

Blau x 

I'm Dreaming of a White....Russian

My favourite cocktail long before the popularisation by the Dude in The Big Lebowski, a fact nobody ever believes. With its cramy texture and sweet taste, it really is a must know recipe for all. If you think you can handle it why not try a Blind Russian, made with Bailey's Irish Cream instead of cream.

Ingredients for a White Russian

• Vodka
• Coffee Liqueur
• Light Cream
• Chocolate flakes

Quantities for one drink:

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur
• Light Cream

Blending Instructions:

• Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass
• Fill with light cream
• Garnish with chocolate flakes and serve.

Blau x

Study Survival

What Bear Grllys never told you....

Out here on the academic terrain one may find themselves occasionally trapped and isolated from the larger population. The key is not to panic and to have many of the essentials stored away at various locations such as your college locker or your bedroom desk.

My insider tips; drink tea from a mother-f#$%ing soup cup, dress cosy and check out Cupcakes by Katie.

Blau x

She'll Marry A Music Man

I do a good gig or a dirty sweaty muddy music festival. That's right I ain't happy my feet are dirty, my knees are cut and I'm completely lost in a jumping crowd. I'll be kicking off my summer with three festivals in three weeks; Stag and Dagger London, Slane Castle, Co.Meath and Forbidden Fruit Festival Dublin....all the better if I get to sleep in a dicso tipi and wear band tees as dresses.

Blau x

Image via Doreese Tumblr

The Essential Shoe Capsule

Every girl knows the wardrobe essentials such as the LBD and the classic white shirt but what about the shoes 'must haves'. I've working hard on my shoe rack staples the past few months and this is what I've come to think a girl needs, or at least what I need...

100 pairs Primark pumps (one in every colour)
1 pair black open toe heel
1 pair black plain kitten heel
1 pair black riding boot
1 pair black brogue
1 pair black ankle boot
1 pair neutral ankle boot
1 pair tan loafers
1 pair silver diamante strappy sandal
1 pair nude Mary Janes
1 pair red heels
1 pair navy heels

I'm currently as far down the list as the nude Mary Janes with a recent purchase from Kurt Geiger....

What do think makes for essential shoe wear?
Blau x

Cup Cakes Lingerie

I have rekindled my complete and utter lingerie lust so naturally I can't wait to visit the new lingerie shop open now in Ranelagh Village. Cup Cakes Lingerie’s promise is to offer clients a comprehensive range of Lingerie and nightwear to suit all tastes, sizes and situations! Cup Cakes Lingerie have searched the globe to find you a selection of the finest quality, feminine range of brands that will make you feel like a goddess in any situation.

Find them at;
44-46 Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 10.30am - 6.00pm, Thur-Fri 10.30am - 7.00pm, Sat 10.30am - 6.00pm


Blau x

Black Forest Cupcake

I do so love a deliciously rich dessert...

 

Ingredients.

15 oz  can pitted cherries (sweet) in syrup 

4 oz  bittersweet (dark) eating chocolate - coarsely chopped

5½ oz  butter - coarsely chopped

11 oz superfine(castor) sugar

2¼ fl oz cherry brandy

5 oz all-purpose (plain) flour

2 tblsp self-raising flour

2 tbls cocoa powder

1 egg

Decoration.

6 fl oz thickened cream, whipped

2 tsp cherry brandy

4 oz (100g) block of bittersweet (dark) eating choclate

Method.

1. Pre-heat the oven to 335oF (170oC).

2. Line a 12 cupcake pan, with cupcake papers.

3. Drain the cherries and reserve the syrup.

4. Take ½ cup of cherries and ½ of syrup and process in a food processor, until smooth.

5. Cut the remaining cherries in half and reserve. Discard the remaining syrup.

6. Place the chocolate, butter, sugar, brandy and cherry puree into a saucepan. Over a low heat, stir until chocolate has melted.

7. Pour into a large bowl and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

8. Whisk in sifted flours and cocoa.

9. Then wisk in the egg. It will be runny - but that is correct.

10. Divide the mixture evenly between the cake cases. You will probably find that you fill the cases close to the top (don't worry, they don't rise a lot).

11. Bake for 40-45 minutes until firm to touch.

12. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.

Decorate.

1. Allow cakes to cool completely.

2. Mix the brandy into the whipped cream.

3. Top each cake with some of the remaining cherry halves.

4. And top this with some of the cream.

5. Using a vegetable peeler, scrap along the side of the block of chocolate to create curls. (You made need to clean the peeler from time to time.) And decorate the top of each cake.

Previous recipes include; French toast, red velvet cupcakes, and sinful Oreo cheescake.

Blau x

The Birthday Suit

 

The lovely Abigail of Russell Styling introduced me the the following label..and I blame her for the emptying of my purse. The Birthday Suit serves as a treasure trove for the matryoshka doll fanatic!

"The first Birthday Suit collection was based around the classic Matryoshka doll. “Our initial idea was to take an iconic figure, such as the Russian nesting doll, and make it our own by adding a modern twist” - Katarina Potencova. The Suit Collection was used to build up the brand and will always be considered the collection that launched and shaped The Birthday Suit. The contrast and controversy of tradition versus new age creates a powerful image. This powerful image is something that will definitely remain the girls’ iconic, predominant subject even through their various journeys and exploration of other forms of expression through other collections."

Blau von's Tee

Also I think I've found my perfect tattoo design!

Blau x

Dead School

My attempt at gig photography; Dead School

 Click here to see what I wore to the gig,

Blau x

French Toast

 

You will never understand just how much I adore french toast.

Ingredients:

4 eggs
1 teaspoon sugar, optional
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
10 to 12 slices white bread
butter
maple syrup or other syrup

 

 

Preparation:

Break eggs into a wide, shallow bowl or pie plate; beat lightly with a fork. Stir in sugar, salt, and milk. Over medium-low heat, heat griddle or skillet coated with a thin layer of butter or margarine.
Place the bread slices, one at a time, into the bowl or plate, letting slices soak up egg mixture for a few seconds, then carefully turn to coat the other side. Soak/coat only as many slices as you will be cooking at one time.
Transfer bread slices to griddle or skillet, heating slowly until bottom is golden brown. Turn and brown the other side. Serve French toast hot with butter and syrup.
Recipe for French toast serves 4.

If you prefer to follow video instructions then please click here,
Blau x

Pillow Talk

Whispers from my side of the pillow to yours...

I love tracing the spine of  your back.

I love how you rub sleep from your eyes.

I love how your utterly terrified of tickles.

I love pretend shocked horror has you clamber into bed still wet from your shower.

Blau x

Image via We Heart It

Bedroom Picnic

One bedroom.

Two  lovers.

One bottle of champagne.

One ice bucket.

Chocolate coated raspberries.

Playing cards.

Silk lingerie.

Soft music.

Blau x

Image via We Heart It

Playful Promises

Created in 2004 by Emma Parker 'Playful Promises' is a London designed lingerie brand which mixes playful flirty ideas with quirky and directional design. Offering everything from garters to shoes this is a one stop love-in. Founded by Ms Parker a self proclaimed 'excitable eccentric' you can be sure to find plenty of pinup inspired and lust inducing garments of mass seduction and with a motto like this no wonder us Hostesses love them so....

"Playful Promises is for sassy fashionable girls, who like to say ‘I did it my way’ (preferably loudly firstly to the Frank Sinatra version followed by the Sex Pistols), but who are confident enough to not take themselves too seriously and know that life is there to be lived."

I think I'm just gonna have to purchase these briefs, I can never resist a Russian doll,

Blau x

Images via Playful Promises

I Got Moves

There's only two types of people in the world

The ones that entertain and the ones that observe

Well baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kind of girl....

The dance floor may be the stage for Britney Spears but for Blau von T there is no greater stage then the bedroom; a place to let your hair down and let true sensuality take over. So when faced with the anticipating eye of your watchful lover a girl likes to be able to move her body with the confidence and prowess that she knows lies within. So here's a little sample of clips that can serve as seductive samples. For a beginners guide to tantalising performance look to the moment in Gossip Girl when Blair Waldorf shows her moves at Victor Victrola. For those of intermediate level try to Keira Knightley's lap dance in Domino and the advanced there's the lap dance scene in Death Proof,  a routine that's serve to make tour lover's blood boil. If you think you can handle the up tempo electricity that is Carolina Cerisola than with caution attempt this number for serious moves...and yeah...



I'm like a firecraker, I make it hot,

Blau x

Image via We Heart It

Lyrics; 'Circus' by Britney Spears