Thursday, 1st July 2010

AUDREY HEPBURN

Audrey Hepburn has been voted the most beautiful woman of the 20th century, and I couldn’t agree more.

I loved My Fair Lady as a child and the scenes of her at the ball in her stunning white dress thrilled me. She is most famed for her classic pose in the black Givenchy dress, pearls and gloves in the 1961 film Breakfast At Tiffany’s, an image which captivates me every time I see it, truly stunning.

Her striking features and sense of style are simply iconic, so who better to look to for some style inspiration…

… beautiful!

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Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty

Tuesday, 8th June 2010

ELLIE BALFE MAKEUP ARTIST

I met Ellie Balfe at The D4 Berkeley Wedding Fair a few weeks ago. She is a very talented make up artist and was making up the models for the show. I was chatting to her about makeup, the show and how amazing the weather was, the beautiful weather we were missing out on! She mentioned that she had a blog so the week after the show out of curiosity and a love of blogs I had a little read through her posts, it has quickly become a weekley must read for me.

Ellie gives amazing make up tips on her blog, tries out new products for her readers and of course posts about all of her favourite things including her beautiful little girl Lulu. I have to say I have loved reading her makeup tips and have picked her brain over makeup for my wedding next year. As you know I’m getting married in Rome next summer so I have been looking for a nice makeup that has no SPF (for photography reasons), that looks natural, isn’t drying on my skin and will last all day, demanding you say? Well yes I am.

She recommended MAC Face & Body, so I went into Mac and asked for a sample, which I tried out at my friends hen party last weekend. And… I am a total convert, I love love love it. I have quite dry sensitive skin so allot of makeups dry out my skin and look patchy but my skin is very clear so I only need a light to medium coverage. This foundation was perfect. You can layer it to your liking, it looks so natural and it really did last all night.

“It is a professional product so is only sold in their pro stores as opposed to smaller counters or airports, but do try to get your hand on it at some stage on your makeup odyssey!”

Ellie did recommend setting it with a MAC Select Sheer Powder in warmer weather which I will try out in Barcelona this July when we are at a friends wedding. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Among her other recommenations are Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow, which I use daily.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara, this is on my shopping list, I tried it out and it’s great, no eye irritation and it wears well with no smudging.

Lancome Effercernes Long Lasting Concealer, I have bought this already, it’s brilliant for dark circles!

And who knew I have been wearing MAC’s best selling eye shadow shade Satin Taupe for the past few years, as recommended by Ellie.

Ellie specialises in Bridal Make Up and also runs makeup classes at Boylan Balfe.

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Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty, Wedding, Wedding Suppliers

Tuesday, 8th June 2010

I HAVE MY WEDDING DRESS!!!

I am very excited to tell you all that I have chosen and have in my house my wedding dress! I know it’s just over a year to our wedding but it was the one and I couldn’t not buy it.

I bought my dress from a supplier I met at The D4 Berkeley Wedding Fair. It is a stunning dress that I had been looking at on the designers website, my mother called it, when she saw it she instantly knew it would be the one. It isn’t exactly what I had in my head, it’s so much nicer, but it does have the vintage hollywood glamour feel to it that I have been so drawn to.

It was the first dress I tried on, such a cliche. I tried on a few more to make sure, the silk gowns I loved so much on the bridal websites were terrible on me, I’m far to curvy for them. I also tried on a mermaid shape dress which made my figure look amazing, but I couldn’t walk or sit down in it, I know wedding dresses shouldn’t be practical but this was a whole other level. I also tried on a beautiful flowing chiffon gown which I did really like but it was very similar to a dress I already have. Compared to any other dress I tried on, the first, the one, was just wow. I got that feeling that I never thought I would get, butterflies in my tummy, I really didn’t want to take it off! It is perfect on me too, no alterations needed.

I did try it on a couple of times with my mother when I got it home but it’s packed away now, but it might have to come out again for one last look and to show my bridesmaids.

I’ll let you all in on a little secret, it is a Jenny Packham gown, but I will reveal no more. Alan has said he wants it to be a total surprise when I’m walking up the isle.

I can’t wait to wear it. Roll on July 15th 2011!

Author: pamela | 3 Comments »

Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty, Our Wedding, Wedding

Thursday, 29th April 2010

UNTAMED PETALS

I came across Untamed Petals on The Bridal Lounge Blog and instantly fell in love. The designs are so romantic and have a lovely relaxed vintage feel which I love. They are designed and handcrafted by Amanda Gilbert, a very talented designer who also designs corsages and belts.

I had been considering wearing a headpiece for my wedding, I love Jenny Packham’s designs and Jennifer Behr’s beautiful pieces also but having tried some on I just don’t think they suit my very straight hair. Combs and slides simply fall out and headbands are too visible. After seeing these images I am kind of wishing I had wavy hair!

I might ask my bridesmaids if they would like to have one of these hair pieces, they are blond and have wavy hair, I think they’d look beautiful very whimsical!

You can see the full collection on the Untamed Petals online shop, or contact The Bridal Lounge for a Bridal Styling Session where you can try on the different styles.

Author: pamela | 1 Comment »

Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty, Wedding, Wedding Style + Trends, Wedding Suppliers

Wednesday, 28th April 2010

BRIDAL GOWNS SPRING 2011 COLLECTIONS

So now that we have finally set a date for our wedding, July 15th 2011, I have really started thinking about my wedding dress. As most of my regular readers will know I love the vintage Hollywood glamour look. My favourite designer has been Jenny Packham and I was sure I would no doubt choose one of her gowns, I have one specific dress in mind, but I have decided I should look at all possibilities and keep my options open. Now that the bridal Spring 2011 collections have been unveiled I thought I would post a selection of some of the beautiful designs featured on the catwalks.

Jenny Packham,  I couldn’t resist featuring theses, what can I say, I’m in love.

Caroline Herrera, very glamorous dresses…

J. Crew, simply beautiful dresses at great prices and I believe that they will soon be shipping to Europe. They also stock a lovely  selection of bridesmaids dresses.

Pronovias, these gowns are like works of art, really stunning…

Vera Wang, really elegant, classic dresses with a twist…

.. and so my dress hunt is on.

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Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty, Wedding, Wedding Style + Trends, Wedding Suppliers

Saturday, 3rd April 2010

RETRO BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Whether you’re going for an all out retro themed wedding or just love a bit of the style, these vibrant coloured dresses by  The Dessy Group would make a wonderful choice for your bridesmaids…

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Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty, Wedding, Wedding Style + Trends, Wedding Suppliers

Tuesday, 9th March 2010

OSCAR DRESSES 2010

I’m sure like many of you I was watching the Oscar highlights last night and of course I was more interested in the fashion than anything else. My favourite dresses of the night were… Sandra Bullock wearing Marchesa, my absolute favourite (controversial it seems) is Miley Cyrus wearing Jenny Packham, Nicole Richie looking very stylish in a Reem Arca gown, Meryl Streep in Chris March and Cameron Diaz looking stunning in Oscar de la Renta!

And of course I cannot mention the awards without congratulating Dubliner Richard Baneham who along with his colleagues won the Best Visual Affects Oscar for their work on ‘Avatar’, congratulations!

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Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty

Tuesday, 9th March 2010

CLAIRE PETTIBONE 2010 GOWN COLLECTION

I came across Claire Pettibone’s website wile looking for some wedding gown inspiration…

Myself and Alan have set a date for our wedding, so I though I’d start looking for some inspiration. I am finding myself more and more drawn to vintage style dresses. Claire’s Cherry Blossom 2010 Gown Collection has such and elegant and romantic feel. Claire is based in Los Angeles and says “A wedding gown has to be the most beautiful dress in a woman’s life, make her look and feel amazing, and capture her essence,”. Her gowns have a vintage quality, but the references are combined in a way that is truly modern.  “So many brides want an intimate and individual feeling for their wedding, and the dress really sets the tone,” says Pettibone, a statement I completely agree with!

View her full collection at www.clairepettibone.com

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Labels: Farrell & Chase Loves..., Fashion + Beauty, Wedding, Wedding Style + Trends

Friday, 12th February 2010

RANGOLI BRIDAL COMPETITION WINNER!

And the lucky winner is…

Yvonne Nolan from Dublin. Congratulations Yvonne for winning our Rangoli Bridal competition! A big thank you to everyone who entered. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s weekend.

For anyone who missed the closing date - have a look at Aisling’s beautiful hair accessories.

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Labels: Fashion + Beauty, Giveaways, Wedding

Wednesday, 13th January 2010

RANGOLI BRIDAL COMPETITION!

I am delighted to be launching this very exciting blog competition. One lucky reader will win a set of seven stunning Rangoli beaded hairpins valued at €105.

I have made some great connections with fellow designers since starting the Farrell & Chase blog and I was delighted to get in contact with Aisling from RANGOLI, designer of bridal jewellery and hair accessories. Rangoli accessories are made to order and can be customised to suit any bridal colours or themes. Aisling will work with you on a one-to-one basis to create the perfect accessories for your wedding.

Aisling has been extremely generous and is sponsoring this prize. These elegant hairpins are beautiful in hair that’s half or fully up. The pins are available in silver or pale gold with a choice of clear Swarovski crystal, rhinestone or pearl centres. Truly stunning they are the perfect finishing touch for any bride’s hair…

Aisling also designs accessories for other members of the bridal party and specialises in Mother of the Bride pieces. See her designs at www.rangoli.ie or follow her blog or Facebook page for inspiration and recent bridal commissions.

COMPETITION QUESTION
On the Rangoli website, what are the four types of hair accessories listed under ‘Hair Accessories’?

To enter the competition simply email me your answer to pamela@farrellandchase.com

Please include your address and a contact number. The closing date for this competition is Friday 12th February at 2.oopm. A lovely Valentines prize for our lucky winner!

Author: pamela | 3 Comments »

Labels: Fashion + Beauty, Giveaways, Wedding, Wedding Suppliers