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 subscription prompted a couple to annexe the under-stairs cupboard as a baby cellar with temperature-controlled storage. These were not DIY projects. They about a decision to spend time and money on the expression of a new interest, or the reignition of an old one, which they hadnt had time for until 2020. These are increasingly common tales. Lockdown was an opportunity for us to reassess how we liked to spend our time, and money, on pursuits, pleasures or passions. As our lives slowed down and gaps in the day or week or month usually filled with rushing about opened up, our passions found somewhere to lodge. Its not just about the acquisition of things or the renovation of rooms, its also about interest and engagement, the research, the reading, experimentation and conversation an interest unlocks, whether that be music, gardening, art, wine, jewellery. With few things left to discuss in limited social situations, its good to have something interesting to the dinner table for discussion. And all the better if you bring something literally, to the table. Lockdown made better cooks and bakers of many but some have taken it to another level, installing a new range, building a pizza oven by hand or mastering sourdough, loving the particularity, and cheffy singularity of the passion. A deep dive into a subject is more satisfying than tinkering around the edges (Baking banana bread does not qualify). When garden designer Martin Brady was writing his weekly column for thegloss.ie in March and April, he was fielding several calls a day from clients desperate to line him up to transform their terraces or re-wild their gardens. At first he assumed this was about 22 December 2020 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE clients having more time to assess their gardens, with the exceptional weather of early lockdown an added incentive. Until this year, clients have typically been absent when their gardens are looking their best or too busy to really notice, he says. Designers are out the door redesigning, adding on and improving; its a mini-boom for those in the garden design, garden centre and horticultural sector.Butitsverydifferent to the spend of the days of the Celtic Tiger, says Brady. Clients are spending money on their gardens in a very personal and interested way, for themselves and their family. This is not about spending money to show off. Passion spending on your garden can run from very little to thousands of euro, from the creation of a wildlife-friendly wildf lower meadow to constructing a natural swimming pool, (no chemicals and no heating, sustainability a priority) which will cost between 60,000 and 120, 000, or a mini-forest, if you happen to have some acreage lying idle. For others, the slowed pace of 2020 provided the opportunity to cue a complete rethink. Some clients, when they built or renovated their house, were content to allow the architect or designer do the garden without much involvement from themselves, says Brady. Having now engaged with the garden, they realise that everyone has box hedges, hydrangea Annabelle and a couple of spiral yews, and they want more. By more, Brady says, he means f lowers. Cutting gardens and bold displays of colour were the grand gestures of 2020. Locked-downhoteliersalsohadmoretimetoprioritise gardens, grounds and ecology. William OCallaghan of Corks Longueville House reseeded his wildflower meadow. The meadow has changed the ecology of the grounds at Longueville. New birds are nesting; we recently had three different hearings of the woodpecker, very rare in Ireland. OCallaghan also planted 300 new variety apple trees for Longuevilles cider business: Bramleys, Discovery, Herefordshire Russet and Red Falstaff. At Marlfield House in Gorey, Laura Bowe planted oak trees and cherry blossoms to encourage wildlife. Blue Book CEO Michelle Maguire went crazy, planting WINE CELLAR hundreds of tulip bulbs, to the bewilderment of her husband. How to fund the passion spend? Budgeting is key, sitting down with your bank statements and actually working through the amounts your newly reduced lifestyle could contribute to your passion fund. How much, over the course of the last six months, and projecting forward into the next six, will be at your disposal to fund your passion? As Christmas approaches, the no-presents policy adopted by some families will free up cash. You might also consider boosting someone elses passion fund, instead of buying a present. For many, its less about a hobby Claire-Laurence or pursuit and more about an object, Mestrallet or collectible, a case of something to have and to hold, forsaking all others ... The money they saved in 2020, has been funnelled into purchases they have been circling for years. With more time to research, stalk and spend, they chased down vintage fashion, antiques and jewellery. Clare-Laurence Mestrellet, Associate Director at Adams auction house on St Stephens Green (now preparing for her popular pre-Christmas sale on December 8), observed no let-up on spending. Singularly focused clients wanted pieces with provenance, quality and a little bit of age. In four and a half years at Adams, she says, my September 2020 sale was the highest-performing, with many lots going well over the high estimate, and to Irish clients. She puts this down to two kinds of clients one who sees the value in investing in good jewellery over putting their money on deposit, and the other, who is clear-headed about making a sound quality purchase which will hold, or appreciate in value, but who is also driven by aesthetics. Like all forms of passion spending, My September "" sale was the highestperforming ever, many lots going well over the high estimate. 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