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.

During the amazingly warm weather of last week, we took the baby on a little trip to Dun Laoghaire to walk along the pier. Of course, he slept through the entire thing. I loved the sunshine, blue sky, listening to the sea. Call off the wind and it would be perfect weather. It’s days like this that take a little bit of the sting out of my Texashomesickness.

I got this cardigan and bag at Dunnes on sale last week. It had crochet and bead patches on the shoulders, but my husband said I looked like a matador and the beads were falling off (not baby safe!). So I took the crochet pieces off and added them to the red bag (also from Dunnes) to remake two new pieces to suit me better. I plan on adding a bit more to the bag, maybe some embroidered flowers, if I get the time.

Of course the bag is just for show (and to carry my camera) I really roll with the ultimate mommy accessories, my buggy and nappy bag, and baby too of course.

Also, on the nails Rimmel Lasting Finish in Double Decker Red. It’s a great red — kinda coral, kinda orange depending on what it’s near. I’m not so sold on the Lasting big, but I’m really hard on my nails.

On Saturday, my wonderful husband surprised me (read: forced me) to leave Nate with his auntie so that we could have a romantic night out as a special treat for Mother’s Day. I am so bad at leaving Nate with family to babysit because he has had trouble sleeping, but now that he is sleeping through the night I suppose it is time to let go of my vice-like grip on him. Playing dress up in my new Vero Moda rockabilly inspired dress did help coax me out the door, as did the promise of a meal eaten while still warm without simultaneously feeding a tiny beast.

I love this dress. It is very floaty and girlie (and has a button down placket for nursing). The flowers are much brighter red and electric blue, which add a nice punch of colour on these dreary days. I thought the retro vibe of the dress looked perfect with my new Ralph Lauren glasses–my first truly indulgent specs. I love them, but I wish they said ‘Lauren’ on the arm instead of ‘Ralph’. Fact: I was named after Ralph Lauren. Just as we were about to leave, I remembered this great handbag I found among a file of lovely treasures an old woman was selling in Howth. I love discovering truley vintage pieces in unexpected places. And of course I wore my ‘N’ necklace in honour of Nate.

Chris took me to Lock’s Brasserie and it was amazing. I don’t think I can describe how good the food was or how nice it was to do something grown up and romantic with my hubby.

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.

After Nate was born, Chris got my a lovely necklace from E. Ria Designs on Etsy with a N for Nate on it. I absolutely love my necklace (so that he can always be close to my heart, gah). I picked out this necklace because the initial was quite small and offset, making it a little different. I debated gold or silver for a while and opted for silver with a gold pearl. Any future kids can be gold (then silver, then gold, then silver…now Chris is really sweating!) Husbands, dads, sons, take note: this is a lovely gift for a mom.

Orange Polka Dot Dress $42.50

Yesterday I had my first proper facial and I now realise the error of my ways. Facials are vitally important and should be as essential as going to the dentist and optomitrist. My skin was desperate. After 7 months of general neglect as a busy mom and with the baby taking all my nutrients from pregnancy and breastfeeding, I’d lost the glow. But thanks to the sublime Dermalogica facial and the deft hands of Niahm, I now have the face of a 25 year old me.

I seriously cannot stop touching my face. It is so soft and smooth and, this is embarrassing, I thought I had freckles. But no! They were blackheads. Yuck! Now all gone. I’m hooked and am now going to add regular facials to my life, along with the Dermalogica products. Thanks to the gals at Beaut.ie, I learned you can get the products cheap and delivered to your door on Adonis Grooming.

60s-70s Chambray Dress w/ Rainbow Stitching $24

Day at the Beach Dress $25