Dec
15
Homemade Christmas Wreath…well almost!
Filed Under Christmas, My Home, Wall decor, Weddings | 8 Comments
I just thought I’d quickly share a few photos from my handy work last night. I finally got round to making the Christmas wreath for our front door, well, I actually bought the wreath but then I decorated it by hand…still counts though doesn’t it? I’ll try making it all from scratch next year if I have a bit more time on my hands.
So anyway, in the immortal words of the lovely Mary Fitzgerald…here’s one I made earlier (I’ll bet Mary didn’t actually make hers either)! I bought this one in my local florist at the Dublin 4 price of €12.00. Then all you need are:
2 large oranges
6 cinnamon sticks
6 small baubles
1 large bauble
Needle & thread
Twine & scissors
To decorate it I sliced up some large oranges and baked the slices in the oven at 180 degrees C for approx. 30 – 40 minutes turning them over halfway through. When the oranges were cool I added a whole clove to every second segment. Then I attached/sewed them to the wreath using a needle and thread. Using twine, I then attached the cinnamon sticks to the wreath and wrapped small Christmas baubles around them. I used these Silvered Glass Baubles. Lastly, I added the co-ordinating large bauble to the bottom of the wreath…at voila!
These wreaths are also a great way to add a festive touch to an autumn/winter wedding, perfect for hanging around the reception venue, decorating the church windows or even used as table centrepieces. Just pop a large pillar candle in the centre and hey presto!
Sep
4
Wedding Thank You Cards
Filed Under Photography, Weddings | 19 Comments
I need some help, I can’t decide which image to use for our wedding Thank You cards. They’re really late but I don’t think the people who know me best would expect any less! I’m only partially to blame though obviously – there are two of us in it now. Any thoughts?
These images were taken by James & Shawna.
Jul
31
Vintage Dreamy Wedding Photographs
Filed Under Inspiration, Photography, Weddings | 5 Comments
I love photography that evokes a feeling of nostalgia and combines a dream like quality with a sort of vintage charm but I never really knew how this type of imagery was achieved. And then I came across a post on flickr called Dreamy Vintage Photoshop Action by old underthewaves. So, I followed the instructions and started to experiment with some of our wedding photos and here are the results…
Jul
30
Best Wedding Entrance Ever
Filed Under Weddings | 2 Comments
I came across this on Youtube today via Facebook (thanks for the link Shirley) and I just think that it’s the best Wedding Entrance I have ever seen. It’s just so original and entertaining…
Jul
13
Wedding Meltdown
Filed Under Banter, Weddings | 2 Comments
Still recuperating here after attending two weddings back to back – one on Thursday and one on Friday last week. Obviously that meant that I was away from work for two days, which is not cool when you’re self employed but I was so glad to have the weekend to do the majority of my recovering, otherwise I would not be capable of all that much today.
My delicate state can be blamed almost entirely on two things: 1. whiskey (ideally Clontarf or Knappogue – shameless plug on behalf of himself, miniature versions of the latter formed our wedding favours for the boys and obviously went down a treat) mixed with white lemonade, which has quickly become my new favourite drink. I reluctantly moved on from G&T because it proved to be the common denominator in any late night disagreements, so yes in my case gin does make me sin, just a little. The ball and chain is keen to prove the other age old theory that whiskey makes one frisky but so far it has only proven to provide endless energy reserved purely for the dancefloor, which brings me to number 2. AC/DC at full pelt giving rise to some serious leg guitar from moi while the men sported their ties on their heads and rolled their trousers up to the knee for some obligatory air guitar knee sliding – oh how an Irish wedding wouldn’t be the same without a bit of AC/DC! Photos to follow pending permission from offending parties…
Jun
26
Oh-So-Pretty Picnic Baskets
Filed Under Gifts, Shop Stuff, Tea Party, Weddings | Leave a Comment
Floral 4 Person Picnic Basket from Mabel & Violet
Extra, extra, read all about it! With all this fine weather we’re having at the moment (I know, I know, touch wood and all that) I am delighted to announce the joyous arrival of our brand spanking new Picnic Baskets here at Mabel & Violet! I just love them and anyone, ok any girl, who has clapped eyes on these beauties has gasped and practically jigged on the spot with sheer joy at the very gorgeousness of them. And when I tell them that they only cost €49.95 the same joy becomes utter disbelief at the super duper recession friendly value for money on offer before their very eyes!! Are you sold yet? If that’s not enough to convince you, here is a list of what’s inside:
- 4 x Ceramic Plates
- 4 x Acrylic Wine Glasses
- 4 x Knives
- 4 x Forks
- 4 x Spoons
- 4 x Cotton Napkins
- 1 x Bottle Opener
- Salt & Pepper Shakers
And if you don’t want to snap one of these up for yourself, they make a stunning wedding present…for the bride and groom that have everything! The beauty is that you can actually personalize them with lots of goodies, like wine and gourmet delights for the foodies, beer and munchies for a laid back couple or my personal favourite – how about some Lyons/Barrys (delete as appropriate!) tea and a few ham sandwiches for a truly Irish picnic affair! The beauties are available for delivery by courier to Ireland and the UK at a cost of just €8.00.
Jun
18
Lisbeth Dahl & Garden Trading Products Coming Back in Stock Very Soon
Filed Under Gifts, Shop Stuff, Weddings | 5 Comments
Things have been a bit mental around here lately with both Mabel & Violet and the renovations, so we headed off for a few days last week to try to unwind and clear the aul heads. I was fortunate enough to have someone to look after the business side of things while I was away and sure we just left the builders to their own devices – not a good idea some might say but we didn’t have any problems anyway.
It was back to work with a bang though on Tuesday and things did not let up during our brief hiatus. The new Lisbeth Dahl and Garden Trading stock is literally flying off the shelves at the moment and I can’t seem to keep it in stock. I will be getting more of the Ivory Pagoda Umbrellas, Green & Cream Birdhouses, Apple Green Miners Lanterns, Silver Plated Brass Cakestands and the very popular Warley Blue Teapot and Mugs back in stock in the next few weeks. Watch out also for some more new and exciting products coming soon…
Jun
5
New Products for Summer
Filed Under Gifts, Shop Stuff, Weddings | Leave a Comment
I’ve had a great week here because I had the perfect excuse to go outside and enjoy the sunshine in the shape of a much needed photo shoot! I popped up onto the roof and took some lovely shots of some new products that have just arrived in stock, so here are just a couple of images for your viewing pleasure….
I just love the delicate floral patterns in the water pitcher and plant pots and at these prices they are such a bargain too! China Blue Pitcher €6.95 & Floral Planter Set €7.95
May
1
I am commonly asked about accessories and decorations for weddings for both the church and reception venue so I thought that it was time to dedicate a section to “Wedding Accessories” on our website. Last year I helped some friends to source tealight holders, flower pots and cake stands for their amazing and slightly alternative marquee wedding and they were delighted with the results of their DIY wedding. Being foodies and great dinner hosts, the emphasis for their wedding was about both the food and the party and they came up trumps with their wedding being hailed as one of the best weddings ever! This daring couple baked their own cupcakes in the days before their wedding, not many brides can admit to taking on such a feat, but it really paid off and the cupcakes were absolutely delicious. They also used these tealight holders and flower pots to add the finishing touches to their guest tables, which proved to be really atmospheric in the dimly lit marquee.
Mar
25
And another vintage inspired birdcage veil…
Filed Under Fashion, Vintage, Weddings | Leave a Comment
I was just browsing on Etsy…yet again…when I came across this gorgeous birdcage veil. I just wrote a post about the birdcage veil that I wore for my wedding but I just had to add this one too because it is beeeautiful. In fact, if I had seen this one sooner I might just have bought it myself. It’s from Satanica’s shop and her other veils and headpieces are stunning too.
