The biggest and best vintage fashion fair is this Sunday at the Royal Marine Hotel Dun Laoghaire. Doors open at 12pm, be there early to avoid the crowds and to find the best pieces first. Here’s a recap of the event.

I may be pushing it, but I’m bringing the little man with me decked out in vintage…including these rad kicks.

I am in desperate need of new make up, but as a new mom on unpaid maternity leave, I’m dead broke so it was great to get the expert thumbs up on Rimmel products by Boylan. I love the look he created for the stunning model and may even try the green shadow on my eyes. Here’s some pics from the party (via the Rimmel Ireland Facebook page)

Fellow new momma and me. I love her lip colour!

Boylan making magic

The gorgeous result. Who knew budget beauty could looks so good?

Rimmel is available pretty much everywhere and now in A|Wear Henry Street too! While you’re there stocking up on lippy, check out the pretty frocks in the Closet. My friend and I were making a mental shopping list for our next night out without the babes.

Here’s my quick review of last year’s event and here’s what I wore.

You can find out more at VintageIreland.eu and here’s what the folks at Vintage Ireland have to say about the event.

The fashion renaissance continues into 2011 with the return of the Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair to the Royal Marine Hotel on Sunday 17th April.

The enthusiasm for vintage shows no sign of abating, and fashion on sale at the Vintage Fair ticks all the important boxes for today’s savvy shopper: ethical, eco-friendly, good value fashion, and with Ireland’s best vintage sellers all conveniently gathered under one roof.

A veritable one-stop vintage supermarket, the Dublin Vintage Fair covers all areas of 20th century fashion, from clothing to jewellery, hats, handbags, shoes and accessories, even including vintage powder compacts, scent bottles, sewing patterns and fashion prints, along with unique 20th century decorator items and homewares. The event runs from 11am till 6pm.

The little man was born a few weeks ago in a very easy and fast delivery (and I’m proud to say without any pain medication…if anyone wants info on active and natural birth, email me and I’ll pass on all I know). I can’t thank the wonderful Community Midwives at Holles Street that visited me for 10 days at home after the delivery to help us get the little devil feeding. It has been a very difficult task so far…I really didn’t expect babies to be this exhausting. Luckily he’s pretty cute, so it is all worth it!

However, there is nothing stylish about being a new mom. I’m not sure when you graduate from sleep deprived pajama girl to yummy mummy, but when I get there I’ll be back. In the meantime, here are some pics of Nate…he always looks good!

Last Saturdays – Airfield Bazaar (Dundrum)

Last Sundays — Dublin Flea (Newmarket)

(Thanks to Retrorumage for the tip on Airfield. Check out the blog & shop for some amazing furniture)

Remember when I got that amazingly generous gift box from Accessorize? Well, I decided to hold off on some of the items to give away at just the right time–like now. Here’s what you could win. Crazily Paisley Neon Tassel Scoop Bag, Kimono Doll Pendant, Flower Fairy Crystal Webbed Ring, Mauritiaus Cluster Ring

Here’s the deal. I was supposed to go on some amazing sun holiday this wear. Feel the sand beneath my toes, swim in warm ocean water, drink cocktails with little umbrellas…you get the idea. Instead, I’m having a baby. I’m fine with the trade off, but it doesn’t mean I can’t pine away for some beach time while I have my own unique ’summer of love’

The S/S10 collection at Accessorize is fab. I plan on stocking up on a few cute things and having my own stay-cation in my back yard. But I want to know how you plan to spend your summer vacation.

To enter the contest, tell me: What’s the perfect accessory for the perfect summer holiday?

In the comments leave:

• Your name
• Email address (will be erased after you enter)
• Website/twitter handle (if you have one)
• Your favourite Accessorize item and where you’d wear it

Contest closes on Wednesday, May 12. Open to anyone, anywhere!

Thanks to Kirstie for the great write up on frugal Irish fashion bloggers in the May/June issue of Prudence. I’m more than delighted to be included! Be sure to pick up your copy on newsstands now! Read more on the Irish bloggers on the Pru blog

The photo is of one of my favourite outfits-a DIYed top, vintage skirt and vintage handbag.

SoGo Festival ♥ All around South Great Georges St ♥ April 30-May2

But wait, there’s more! There’s a special edition Dublin Flea SoGo car boot sale on Sunday! I’ll be there (husband in toe with promises of snacks, possibly burritos). Make sure you check it out too!  Sunday, May 2 – Eircom Carpark (off Andrews Lane and Exchequer St) from 12 – 5:30

AND the Crafty Market is on at Shebeen Chic (Georges St) on Sunday as well!

Yesterday I headed to lovely Dun Laoghaire for the Vintage Ireland Fashion and Decor Fair. It was amazing. Choc full o’  vintage dealers and collectors from Ireland and Europe. The folks at Vintage Ireland organised a great event with competitions, fashion shows, lindy hop demos, makeovers and a ball to top it all off. I only wish I could have stayed longer to soak up the atmosphere even more.

It was almost overwhelmingly lovely. Luckily for my wallet, I’m now getting to the rapid growth stage of my pregnancy so I couldn’t take advantage of all the wonderful dresses that filled the hotel ballroom. It was like visiting a museum of pretty things, with something to interest anyone–from 60’s cocktail dresses to cat-eye glasses. I actually liked all the odds and ends like old suitcases, porcelain pandas and record collections (I scored a few great pieces for my vinyl collection–a gift for the little-guy-to-be).

The next Vintage Ireland Fashion & Decor Fair is in Galway on July 18. Don’t miss it!

Follow the frocks and fashion on @VintageIreland

More info here