prohibition party

Tags

1920s, chandeliers, Charleston, dancing, fancy dress, Film Fatal, IMMA, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Lindy Hop, music, photography, prohibition party

Oh what a night – gin punch, chandeliers, blackjack tables, Charleston tunes and everyone dressed up in their flappers finest. Boater hats, dicky bows, fringe dresses, pearls and turbans as far as the eye could see – it really was like stepping back in time.

Film Fatal had booked a stunning location for the event, the IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) opened up it’s doors to all those who wanted to Lindy Hop creating a unique atmosphere.

My friend A. and I got dressed up, put our dancing shoes on, hailed a cap and entered the 1920s in style. Not a minute was boring as we wandered from room to room, chandeliers and candles guiding our way, and a rag time band supplying an incredible soundtrack.

On arrival all soiree guests received some play-money and somehow A. managed to double hers, while I seemed to always win as much as I lost, leaving me with a stack of chips and a smile.

We sat out enjoying a un-era-like hamburger in the courtyard square, A. smoking a cheeky cigarette and I enthralled by the view – dancing couples through cloudy window panes, soft-light and gentle music creating a magical vibe, otherworldly and vibrant.

The bathtub gin punch was good, the whiskey one was better -oddly as I am not a whiskey drinker- the burlesque dancers were okay, and it all just added to the atmosphere of pure pleasure and fun – over the top extravagance in the perfect setting.

In the end, as the bathtubs ran low and the lights were dimmed, my friend and I bet all our chips on the last game of the night, and as Glenn the croupier dealt the last cards emotions ran high and we lost it all and had a swell time doing so.

saturday salsa

Tags

beuno vista social club, cocktails, dancing, friends, girls night out, latin music, music, salsa

I spent Saturday afternoon gallivanting with the girls at the RDS show “the ultimate girls day out“, and while we did have fun watching a fashion show most of the exhibition was a little bland.

As I ambled around the stalls filled with beauty products, teeth whiting and gaudily glittering jewels I couldn’t help but feel how colourless most of the women there were, despite all the fake tan. They all seemed to adhere to some cookie-cutter form of beauty and lacked the sparkle of true allure.

So a little bored I made my way into town to meet other girls for dinner as my friend from New Zealand was celebrating her 30-faux birthday. After a delicious meal and delightful chatter  10 gay gals made their way to a cocktail-bar, skirts swinging, lipstick lips smiling and giggling all the way. After a few sips of May Tais, Cosmopolitans and Margaritas a lot more laughter a few flowers started to fade and decided to call it a night. But four pairs of dancing shoes decided is was time to brave the dance floor.

So with a few twists and turns, a couple of steps, a shimmy and a shake Saturday ended with Latin rhythms, salsa and a smile.

 

 

 

witching hour

Tags

80's hits, dancing, gouls and ghosts, halloween, miscellaneous, photography, random, witches, witches hat

Yesterday I bumped into Snow-white while strolling down O’Connel Street and when I hurried to the post office this morning the Wolf and little Red Riding Hood playing hootch-scotch on the pavement.  Halloween is upon us with its purple and orange decorations and grinning pumpkin faces.

So when a friend asked me if I wanted to join her on her favorite holiday and get all dressed up to go out I agreed, but this was last week. So when she doubled checked with me yesterday afternoon I was shocked into action trying to figure out how to create a last-minute costume. My friend has been preparing for weeks, making a cardboard baby-grand and buying a sequined jacket, she even has a wig to perfect her Liberace outfit. So I knew, no matter what I pulled together I would look a little pale in comparison. But I didn’t want to let her down and remembering I own a witches hat, a gift don’t ask, I rummaged around in my wardrobe for a black dress with wide sleeves.

I sat down to wait for the the text with our meeting details, clicking my buckled black shoes happy with my outfit, maybe not Liberace but a recognizable with none the less. However when the text finally came our outing was canceled due to a headache and other reasons and I felt a little bit silly sitting in my living room with long stripy socks, pig tails and a black and yellow velvet witches hat. But because I didn’t what to waste the dress-up I put on some music and danced to my 80’s hits and poured myself a glass of red.

And as the hands on my clock moved towards the witching hour I changed into my pyjamas and sat down in front of the fire, leaving the witching up to all those real witches and ghosts, who spook  around at night.

waiting for a the little gouls and ghosts

lying in the bed I made

Tags

bed, blame, dancing, hug, humour, love, ramblings, random, single, thoughts

As I poured the milk into my tea this morning I really got annoyed, the milk had gone off over night and now my morning beverage was filled with unsightly chunks. But what upset me the most was that I was the only one to blame.

As a single living by myself (not by choice or design) I have to take all the blame for any unpaid bills, forgotten groceries, mess in the kitchen and even if that chocolate I was saving for times of need (we all have them) disappears before its time. Sadly, there is no one else to point the finger at and at times this can get a little bit tiring. Even worse, since no one is around to then make you that much needed cup of tea, pour a relaxing glass of wine or give you a well deserved hug, your tired-self has to even do that on its own.

But of course there are many benefits to living on your own as well. You don’t need to ask if you can have the last slice of cake, so even if you baked it you can eat it too! You can twirl to your hearts content if a twirl-worthy song jingles from the radio and dancing to ABBA, singing along at the top of your voice while cooking is not judged either. Well, unless a neighbour walks by and sees your silly single behaviour through the window.

As I folded the laundry and put clean sheets on my bed, I suddenly realised, that although I would love to snuggle up to that special someone, at least I can lie diagonally in bed if I like and I get to keep the entire double bedspread to myself.  What luxury, so I think I’ll make my own bed and lie in for now.