PHILOSOPHY really invite, if not demand, that we place our gaze closer to home, and even on our own selves. Were not comfortable with the idea of lavishing love and attention on ourselves, but Im not talking about a selfish kind of love, Im talking about a better, nurturing kind of self-love. Because maybe the very thing missing from the world today is that not enough of us know how to love ourselves well enough. Aristotles wisdom invites us to look at our self-care in a new way, as an end in itself for how it benefits us to feel more grounded in love. The truth is, we cannot actually love anyone else until we can truly love ourselves first. And in loving ourselves better, we can love others better too. If Christmas is all about Love, then how about of protecting children. Children should not experience things that only adults have the capacity to handle. This exception to Mills ideas is known as paternalism, and shows his excellent deference to the respect of civility. BARUCH SPINOZA ON EMOTIONS Spinoza grew up a Jewish child in Amsterdam. He knew the Torah back to front and contemplated becoming a rabbi at one point. But in his teenage years, he ended up divorcing his dogmas, and becoming inclined to a more rationalist way of thinking. Big decision, right? It cant have been taken lightly, given his obsession with emotion, and how emotion plays into our choices and actions. He utterly rejected that reason could defeat emotion. On the contrary, he contended, an emotion can only be displaced or overcome by a stronger emotion. For him, the crucial distinction was between active and passive emotions, the former being those that are rationally understood and the latter those that are not. Spinoza was infatuated with feelings. He was no softie he had it hard, as a Jewish philosopher in a very Orange Netherlands but he ultimately disagreed that reason could defeat emotion. We have been conditioned to accept over time that the more emotional we are, the less capable we are to reason. Weve learned that if we make decisions in the heat of the moment, we often regret them. Weve learned that when the circumstances of a situation dont aggravate us, we are clearer in our rationale. Be this as it may, Spinoza felt that our feelings do not lead us astray in our decisions. In fact, the presence of feelings and emotional biases in making decisions leads to better outcomes, as opposed to those made based on entirely rational conditions. It is reassuring to consider that maybe your best decisions have been your most emotional ones. PLATO AND RENE DESCARTES ON TRUTH These two are the head honchos of beginners philosophy both Plato and Descartes searched for truth in the same fashion. They both said, dont trust your eyes, because your eyes can lie. What we mistake for memory can occasionally only have happened in our dreams and not what we witnessed in real life, at all. But they had very different ways of demonstrating this. Plato, like all the best pub regulars, decided a long-winded fairytale story would be the best way to get his point across. Descartes, on the other hand, basically Marie Kondod his thoughts until he was only left with 18 December 2020 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE seeing this slowdown as a gift? How about using the time to nurture ourselves with a better class of selflove such as a mindful walk in the woods, some me time to meditate. How about this Christmas we make a manger of our hearts and welcome love to live and to grow in us so that when we do jump back to postpostmodern living (if we still want to) we do so from a whole new place of love. As you string pretty fairy lights across your mantelpiece, pop some Aristotelean wisdom into your Christmas stocking. Aedamar is a writer and philosopher. Her new book Light on Fire: Waking up to Divine Love (Hay House), is available for pre-order on Amazon or with a free gift at www.aedamarkirrane.com/book. thoughts that were true. Im sure youve heard of Netflixs Kondo, who in her instructive cleaning series, evaluates her belongings, and disposes her those items that dont spark joy. Descartes would wrench open his mind, extract every thought hed ever thought, and ask himself, is this true? If he couldnt say for sure it was true, hed throw it into the FALSE pile. He was eventually left with the thought that, if he was thinking, then surely he must exist, because he wouldnt exist if he were not thinking. Thus, his famous phrase I think therefore I am. This process is known as Cartesian. Go tell Marie Kondo shes been rumbled, Descartes did it first. This healthy scepticism is a great tactic to use nowadays. We have got to start Descartes-ing our thoughts. Someone tells us what they make in a year. Is this true? Well it has to be true, X said it. NOPE. Onto the pile of stuff we dont know. Relationship goals? My hoop. FALSE. She ran 5k? Um, I hear you can pause that runners app, dont lie to me. FALSE. A CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS AT BUTLERS Velvet Gift Boxes These stunning presentation boxes are a spectacular yuletide gift. HUME ON TASTE Oh Hume, the jolliest philosopher there ever was! Bon David, as he was kindly known by French admirers in his time. Typically, philosophers come across as rather stern or serious, but Hume was jovial in nature, with a penchant for pranks. This Scottish empiricist had many great ideas, but the one I like the best is his exploration of the concept of taste. Diana Vreeland once said to have bad taste was better than to have no taste at all. I think what she meant was, it is better to maintain your free spirit and be true to your inclinations, than to have no discerning eye at all. Hume actually attempts to clear up what it is to have taste for good. In his 1757 essay, Of the Standard of Taste, Hume suggests that there are no rules when it comes to what is a tasteful object. He says: Beauty is no quality in things themselves; It exists merely in the mind that contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty ... Hume argues that we are all such walking bags of biases that it is simply really hard for us to observe art fairly, or develop any notion of a standard of beauty. But he does say that the characteristics of a proper judge of beauty or art include a delicacy of the imagination, in other words, the capacity to perceive small, subtle differences between an artworks features, breadth and depth of experience, and the ability to place oneself in the position of the works intended audience. This seems like something that can be learned with life experience and understanding of art. So, it seems theres hope for the tasteless, and taste for the hopeless! DAISY HICKEY Christmas Drinks Red cups are back to bring some Christmas cheer. The Platinum Collection An enchanting chocolate experience: a dazzling array of 29 incredible chocolates. Explore the full range at www.butlerschocolates.com. FESTIVE FASHION FIXES / DRESS FOR AN OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS / TWINKLY TERRACES DESIGNED BY ARCHITECTS / LIQUID LUXURIES MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 with THE IRISH TIMES ë TINSEL TYPES www.t hegloss.ie Gloriously glossy gifts for everyone Dressing to please yourself MY HOUSE MY RULES ë BROWN THOMAS, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN 2 CONTENTS ANNA MASON IN THIS ISSUE THE GLOSS MONTHLY REMINDER SIGN UP to receive a monthly reminder by email when THE GLOSS is out so that you never miss an issue. Simply register your details on WWW.THEGLOSS.IE. PU B LI S H E R JA N E M C D O N N E LL E D I TO R SA RA H M C D O N N E LL D E PU R E B M E DEC ~ A CHRISTMAS OUTFIT selfie ... Do your WELLINGTON BOOTS embarrass your dog? Irish MYTHOLOGY for a modern audience ... and VISIONARY ABBESSES A s we morph from WFH to SFH CHRISTMAS GOALS Irish Queen Medb rocks a feisty sort of glamour SOCIALISING FROM HOME the Ù Ù Ù Designers PROMOTION The Art of Giving A fashion feast, Brown Thomas edit of elegant accessories and luxury gifts is your go-to source when it comes to spoiling someone special this Christmas F rom trophy bags and bejeweled pumps to finishing touches of gold and sparkle, youll find something extraordinary SHOPPING 2 SPOT THE TREND MONCLER 1 3 4 5 6 8 DINNER OUTDOORS How to survive a chilly winter dinner on a restaurant terrace or your own patio? Dressing warmly and well is an art form and now is the time to master it. Youll need the following and trust us, this is not a pick-and-choose situ Photo Michel Gibert, photograph used for reference only. This collection is a tribute to the explorer that we all dreamt to be. Travelling is an experience that change someone and I wanted each piece to evoke this feeling of bringing back a treasure from a distant land. Montgolfière, sofa. La Pari MOODBOARD 3 2 1 YOU AINT A BEAUTY, BUT HEY YOURE ALRIGHT. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 4 MY MOTHER WAS NOT RAISED, SHE WAS FORGED. TALLULAH WILLIS ON DEMI MOORE EILISH MCCORMICK 7 IM FRAMING a Helen Cody illustration of Lynn Yaeger. IM CRUSHING on Michelangelos Davids weak ankles. 6 5 T H I S M ON WWW.AVOCA.COM Wishing you a Wonderfilled Christmas Elegance is an attitude Kate Winslet Longines DolceVita TREND Arizona Muse at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. I LEFT Print silk dress, 1,098; matching mask, 45; both www. thevampireswife. com. Red earrings, Baublebar, 32, at Brown Thomas. RIGHT The Vampires Wife X Dover Street Market installation. Matching your face mask to your outfit is officially a Auction Tuesday 8th December 2020 FINE JEWELLERY & WATCHES Catalogue Now Online at www.adams.ie On View 4th - 8th December A Rare Sapphire Cuff, by Mario Buccellati, circa 1950 Estimate €15,000 - 25,000 PRSA REGISTRATION NO. #001959 Enquires to Claire Mestrallet Claire@adams.ie 26 St Stephens G PHILOSOPHY FIVE PHILOSOPHERS WHOSE TEACHINGS STILL RING TRUE PUT ARISTOTLE IN YOUR STOCKING Adrift on a sea of uncertainty, we need to turn to the philosopher for guidance, specifically the late and the great ... AEDAMAR KIRRANE likes Aristotles way of thinking M uch of our Christmas joy is tied ADVERTORIAL TREASURE FOREVER CELESTIAL MAGIC Reach for the moon and stars with this intricate, sparkling double charm. Blue Night Sky Crescent Moon & Stars Dangle Charm, 59. Sparkling Snowflake Collier Necklace, 79. SPACE ODYSSEY Soar to new heights with this Pandora Rose Galaxy inspired Charm, PHILOSOPHY really invite, if not demand, that we place our gaze closer to home, and even on our own selves. Were not comfortable with the idea of lavishing love and attention on ourselves, but Im not talking about a selfish kind of love, Im talking about a better, nurturing kind of self-love. Becaus More ToExplore NEW STORES Kids concept store Barn: unique childrenswear, toys and gifts and Folkster, the fashion and homewares pop-up boutique Home to a host of luxury fashion and retail brands, including brand new Barn and Folkster, Dundrum Town Centre has all our favourite stores including Lo GLOSS GIFTS ë GLOSS GIFTS SPECIAL GIFTS FOR THE DISCERNING WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE From eye-catching vintage print silky masks (with unique reusable ribbon fixings so you will never lose them!) to a subscription to THE GLOSS, our hand-picked presents are gifts the women in your life will get excited LIFESTYLE DESIGNER SHOES the Spend ë W hen coronavirus struck in March, Melanie Scott was on her way back to her home in London after almost five weeks travelling for work. Global travel was always part of her role but this had been a particularly punishing trip, and with a pernicious virus on th LIFESTYLE DIAMOND RING Another friend, who has dabbled in watercolours for years while raising her family, bought an easel and set herself up in the (slightly modified) guest bedroom. Even with two grown-up children working from home, she was determined to create the space to paint. A monthly wine Fine Jewellery 2 Chatham Street, Dublin www.esljewellery.ie LIFESTYLE I plan a dress purchase for weeks before I pull the trigger. your purchase, and plan which pairs you really want to buy. In New York, Freya Drohan, from Malahide, is fashion editor at The Daily Front Row and a freelance writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and fashionista.com. SNEAKERS Drohan h FASHION MY HOUSE my rules One upside to a downsized festive season is the opportunity to wear exactly what you fancy ... Have fun, says AISLINN COFFEY THE GLOSS MAGAZINE December 2020 25 FASHION MY HOUSE, MY RULES THE FESTIVE FROCK Not-so-basic Christmas Day dresses Top of our Christmas list this year is the colourful, softly tailored midi dress, easily the most sophisticated but easy-to-wear dress trend for years. This length really is the happy medium, suiting most beautifully. FASHION Gold Rose leather house mules, 335; www. oliviamorrisathome.com. MY HOUSE, MY RULES PARTY FLATS Twinkle toes: pretty and comfortable When it comes to Christmas Day, everything you wear should have an oven-to-table vibe, meaning, you can cook, serve and clean up without hobbling and look c FASHION MY HOUSE, MY RULES Cream Tonio mohair cardigan, 110; www.sezane.com. Marine blue turtle-neck knit dress, 100; www.hush-uk. com. Doublestrand pearl necklace; www.chanel. com. SWEATER DRESSING Heaven to wear, cosy and cool Over the past few months, our attachment to comfort has grown expo FASHION MY HOUSE, MY RULES CHRISTMAS DAY PJS Ways to wear pyjamas all day Chic yet relaxed, attention-grabbing yet informal, the pros of pyjamas as daywear extend well beyond the bedroom. Not only is this simulated jacketand-trousers duo chic for wearing at home with some fancy slipper-style shoes Connect with 6TH SENSE Intelligent Cooking The New W Collection of Ovens & Microwaves from Whirlpool 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON PARTS & LABOUR Just pick your recipe and the Whirlpool 6th SENSE technology will make it great everytime. Choose the New W Collection of Ovens & Microwaves from Whirlpool for STRAP WWW.LANSDOWNEPLACE.IE ESSAY THE REMEMBERING ROPE POLLY DEVLINs remembrance of people and times past is triggered by her collection of treasured antiques and the backstories of their acquisition For new readers and seasoned ones ... This is the sixth episode in the loose concoction called The Remembering Rope a series ESSAY With all my limitations, with my laziness, my lack of money, my lack of time I do WHAT I WANT exactly. A set of big wash jugs in primary colours from a convent boarding school I should think dormitory pieces and those lovely tin caddies for tea and flour and sugar that had once stood in eve BOOKS PRESENTS OF MIND PENNY McCORMICK selects the seasons best books to give or get FOR HOME LOVERS What side of the fence do you sit on the bold or the beautiful? Plan your next home decor project with these differing approaches. Twenty creatives, including furniture designers Bethan Gray and #MINDOURSELVES was bordering on obsessive. I would start every day by looking at her profile first thing in the morning. Now I look back, and realise, of course, that I was basically setting myself up for failure and bad energy before Id even got out of bed! Everything I did I compared to her. I fel DESIGN INTERIORS Head Office/ Ballycoolin Showroom Units 12/13, Block 8 Blanchardstown Corporate Park Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 01 820 8480 +353 1 820 8480 BESPOKE FURNITURE Deansgrange Showroom Unit F, Deansgrange Business Park Kill Lane Blackrock, Co. Dublin 01 207 0702 www.ventura.ie London S HEALTH THE CRITICAL COUNT The number of ICU beds occupied by Covid-ð cases now trips off our tongues, such is our obsession with coronavirus stats. But, the story of the ICU is over-simplified. LYNN ENRIGHT speaks to Professor Gerard Curley about the story behind the figures B efore this year, HEALTH Despatches from the ICU Dr Catherine Motherway, Consultant Intensivist at Limerick University Hospital Edel Nolan, ICU Nurse and Acting Clinical Facilitator, St Vincents University Hospital Every day in the ICU is very different. Some says are quiet, some days are busy, some days are hell, INTERIORS INTERIORS @MODAOPERANDI Tastemaker Lauren Santo Domingo at her writing desk. Ten correspondence cards with lined envelopes, 30; www.smythson.com. ABOVE: Natural collection personalised stationery, 131 (includes 25 correspondence cards, letterheads, continuation sheets and envelopes); w VENEZUELA MULLINGAR, SKERRIES AND ARDEE Stockists of Annette Gortz Transit Tandem Clemente Eva Kayan Ania Schierholt Marco Moreo Andia Fora Patrizia Bonfanti Browse collections on Instagram and Facebook @venezeula_boutique Call any of our boutiques with your queries, or for styling advice Purchase J E W ELLERY . GIFTWARE . DINING . C HRI ST MAS Shop in-store or online now at www.newbridgesilverware.com ENTERTAINING A Merry OUTDOOR ë SANDRA ANDREA OCONNELL discovers how three architects are creating outdoor dining spaces for festive celebrations and beyond GRACE KEELEYS TIPS CREATE A SPACE E ntertaining family, friends and neighbours during the Christmas period is what we love. And decorating ENTERTAINING WRAP UP AND EMBRACE THE OUTDOORS GARETH BRENNANS TIPS TRANSFORM AN UNDER-USED COURTYARD Creating beautiful patio spaces for their clients has been a strong feature in the work of Brennan Furlong Architects. Now architect GARETH BRENNAN is planning to tackle his own under-used courtyar INTERIORS COOL & COLLECTED My World at HOME the details NAME: Rosa de la Cruz ADDRESS: Knightsbridge, London HOME: Four-bedroomed apartment in an old Victorian mansion which she shares with her four sons and partner Mark Reynier THE VIBE Being in a contemporary art gallery PHOTOGRAPHS BY KATE MA BEAUTY GLOSSARY ë Brighten up with LOccitanes bright citrus Verbena Mandarin eau de toilette (52, limited edition). Winter BEAUTY Some (but not all) beauty gifts promise joy, says Sarah Halliwell Dont be pale and wan this winter: Westman Atelier Butter Powder Bronzer, 80, at Brown Thomas. Perf ANDREW RYAN H A N D C R A F T E D S I N C E WWW. ANDREWRYAN.IE 1 9 7 3 SCENT FOR LIVING The Nature of Things have a range of boxes, including Dont Stress, with trios of essential oils (44). Add a few drops to the Mael diffuser far more cost-effective than a shortlived scented candle. But my pick would be a bottle of Jasmine Absolute (21) to wear as a perfume its hard PROMOTION AFTER I am delighted with the results, particularly because it was all natural treatments with no needles, no pain and no downtime. Linda AGEING BEAUTIFULLY WITH NEELU THE ONLY AESTHETICIAN USING IREVIVE, TO LIFT AND REJUVENATE SKINTONE Exclusive to Neelus in Ireland Neelu provides res I NTE RI ORS + D ES IGN 25 Rockhill, Main St, Blackrock, Co Dublin 01 9631383 info@rockhillinteriors.com www.rockhillinteriors.com to order Explore the best of our Christmas fare, from plump Irish turkeys to sumptuous handmade Christmas puddings and mince pies. Order Christmas Food by 15th December at 3pm. Collection or Home-Delivery SHOP ONLINE AT DONNYBROOKFAIR.IE Donnybrook Malahide Stillorgan Greystones Baggot St. 5 D ISH DES EI HAVE YOUR CAKE & EAT IT ë TR E FOO Y N B FOOD ë TRISH DESEINE makes the final Christmas countdown a joyous, all-Irish affair T his year, more than ever, is one to treat yourself and your loved ones. Youve earned it! So once the turkey, goose, ham, spiced beef, sprouts, cho FOOD Yukon Gold and Mayan Rose, and add a bunch of their Frivole kalettes, a mix between purple sprouting broccoli and kale. Breakfast in the Burren from Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna is a wonderful selection of smoked fish, butter, wheaten bread and granola, all produced in the Burren and deliv PROMOTION Yoga & Mocktails with Wellness Guru Daniella Moyles Social Insecurities The daily anxieties of modern life EXPERIENCE THE EXTRAORDINARY WITH ÉALÚ EXPERIENCES Éalú Experiences is a curated collection of gift experiences including exclusive video masterclasses from the very best of Irish WINE WI ON-TREND ITALIAN N E BY M A R A white wine made with flair, to suit most tastes and enjoy with a wide range of dishes ... Every Christmas household needs one. My top pick is organic DOMAINE BÉGUDE ÉTOILE CHARDONNAY, LIMOUX 2019. Combining appley freshness with a creamy texture thanks to THIS GLOSSY LIFE ë TINSEL TYPES Author and podcaster Pandora Sykes. ë As we contemplate whos in our Christmas social bubble, here are six characters you may recognise and gifts they will love THE PATIO PRINCESS 60 December 2020 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE Gorgeous Gifts AL FRESCO FAVOURITES All th Red scalloped napkin, 15 for two; www.zarahome.com. Designer Victoria Beckham has admitted, I want to micro-manage absolutely everything. @AERIN @SOHOHOME THIS GLOSSY LIFE THE MICRO MANAGER HEIRLOOM LUSTRE PHILOSOPHY Quality over quantity Burgundy Dragon cashmere scarf, Simone Bruns, 395, a @CASSAPERRIN @BABBINGTONHOUSE JOHN LEWIS THIS GLOSSY LIFE Interior designer and perfectionist queen of cream Kelly Hoppen. THE BEROCCA BARBARA FOR THE HOSTESS Perfect for Zooming Balance + Stability oil, £35stg; www.anatome.co.uk. Red swirl mask, Susannagh Grogan, 35. Kenneth Jay Lane baroque THIS GLOSSY LIFE ë Actress Jennifer Aniston is used to her own company. ë @WORMLONDON A book full of Christmas design inspo: The Season, Created by Scandinavian Artists, 54; www. nordicelements.com. LUXE APPEAL Perfect for self-gifting 18ct gold moonstone round cabochon ring, 1,750, at ESL jew THIS GLOSSY LIFE Lunch in the forest, designed by Lens & Larder. DOREEN KILFEATHER Danish supermodel Helena Christensen THE TINDERELLA @LENSANDLARDER Grounded adventurer ANNA MIRABILIS TEXT BY PENNY MC CORMICK A Blue sky thinker nnas friends have started to call her Anna Mirabilis such is h IRELANDS BLUE BOOK GIFT VOUCHER Gift Vouchers can be used in over 50 of Irelands most luxurious country houses, historic hotels, castles and restaurants. TO ORDER www.irelandsbluebook.com / T +353 1 676 9914 CHANEL.COM