XXX

Xtravaganza: 1. Andrew Hanlon & Lisa Cannon; 2. Sinead Wixten & Aisling Brennan; 3. Karen Koster & Jamie Archer. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Xpose Xmas Xperience drew thousands of people to the RDS recently for a pre-festive show with a difference. Fashion shows, beauty master classes and musical entertainment from X Factor finalists FYD and Jamie Archer were some of the highlights at the weekend event. West Coast Cooler hosted a VIP reception to kickoff the show with Louise Jordan of FM104, Liz Dwyer of Beauty Bootcamp and stylist Darren Kennedy in attendance.

Hairspray

Hair Raising: 1. Mairead & Dave Egan; 2. Ellen Bernett, Breda Cashe & Liz Bernett; 3. Brian Ormonde & Pippa O’Connor with Chloe. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Hairspray the musical touched down at Dublin's Grand Canal Theatre on Wednesday night when the musical featuring Michael Ball rolled into town. The colourful show was attended by a host of well known faces including Gerald Kean and Lisa Murphy, Brian Ormond and Pippa O Connor, Mary Kennedy and Jenny Buckley. Linda Martin was also in attendance on the night and recalled how she sung against Michael Ball in the Eurovison Song Contest in 1992. He sang "One step out of Time" while Linda won with "Why Me".

Toners Snug

More Power to you: 1. Lauren Duggan & Aine Kilkenny; 2. Aoife Connaughton & Diarmuid Marrinan; 3. Leah Shanley & Suzanne Lawlor. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Powers Whiskey announced that Toners of Baggot Street, Dublin 2, is the winner of the ‘Ireland’s Best Pub Snug’ accolade. Toners topped the poll in votes cast by the public, winning the title which crowns its snug the nation’s favourite. When the weather outside is frightful a few cosy hours here is just what's needed.

A total of 110 pubs around Ireland were shortlisted for the Powers Whiskey competition, launched in early October to celebrate the Irish Pub Snug, regarded as a lucky find on a great night out and a traditional enclave of great chat. The Palace Bar, Fleet Street came in a close second place, while third placed is Griffins Pub, Trim, Co. Meath, known locally as Lenihans.

Toners is one of Dublin’s oldest and most famous traditional pubs, steeped in history and charm thanks to original features that take visitors back in time. Frequented by many of Ireland’s literary greats, including Patrick Kavanagh, the pub was also a favourite spot of WB Yeats and its snug is rumoured to be the only place he would drink when he took an occasional tipple.

CARI Ball 2010

Glam Slam: 1. Karl Broderick & Alan Hughes; 2. Sebastian O'Shea-Farren with his parents Linda & Brian; 3. Cecelia Ahern & Lisa Duffy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Miriam Ahern knows how to draw a crowd and her annual CARI ball, hosted at the Shelbourne Hotel, certainly had pulling power. Miriam has been a supporter and fundraiser for CARI for over 11 years and this annual gala is the organisations main fundraising event.

The evening, presented by Alan Hughes, commenced with a champagne reception kindly sponsored by M&S, after which guests enjoyed a four-course meal accompanied by M&S wines after which an auction took place where Pat O’Hagan from HOK put a number of lots under the hammer (a rare occurrence these days).

A host of well known people enjoyed the evening including Boyzone babes Lisa Duffy, Yvonne Keating and Karen Graham, Derek Mooney and Debbie O’Donnell who all helped to raise over €70k for CARI.

Dax 2

Dax Pax: 1. Andrea Hussey & Stephen McAllsiter; 2. Karleen Smyth; 3. John Maguire & Karen Koster. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The latest addition to Dublin's restaurant scene opened last week on Pembroke Street. Dax Café Bar is jointly owned by restaurateur Olivier Meisonnave and his business partner John McGuire, who is best known for his various property enterprises and TV show I’m An Adult, Get Me Out Of Here.

Dax Café Bar is located on the ground floor above Dax Restaurant and offers the same great service and award winning food that its big brother is renowned for but in a more relaxed atmosphere and casual setting.

It opens early in the morning with an extensive breakfast menu, all through the day and late into the night and caters for two distinct markets, the daytime customer who will enjoy excellent value quality food and service, privacy and little extras such as free wifi. The secondary market is the evening crowd who are looking for somewhere special to unwind with a quality wine and specialty beer list to go with the tapas menu.

A number of familiar faces attended the opening evening including those from the neighborhood like publisher Michael O'Doherty, solicitor Gerald Keane and his partner Lisa Murphy and publicist Joanne Byrne. Xpose presenter Karen Koster (John Maguire’s other half) was also there along with restaurateurs Kevin Thornton and Sebastian Massi.

Shopping & Rocking

Shock: 1. Grace Miltan and Karen O'Callaghan; 2. Katie Grannell and Angela Scanlon; 3. Ceri Phillips and Zoe Clarke. (Pix. Leon Farrell)

Dundrum Town Centre was a beacon for rock chicks, boho babes and everything in between at the recent ‘Shop & Rock Late Night In’ event. Guests were treated to discounts in their favourite stores, fashion shows, Lindt chocolate and a West Coast Cooler bar on arrival. Live music on the night came from The Shoos, The Camembert Quartet & new band The Overtones.

Get your Skates on

Up on the Roof: 1. Lisa Murphy; 2. James Whitehead and Trish Fallon; 3. Avril Bannerton. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Arnotts department store has done it again and scored another coup – it’s opened Ireland’s first rooftop ice rink! This rink is the newest one for 7Up Christmas on Ice and the only one in Dublin city centre.

Hundreds of guests turned out to skate on the new rink and to see ice skating and ice hockey demonstrations. It was a festive feeling with mulled wine, mince pies and marshmallows drenched in chocolate, while the younger guests enjoyed visits to Santa, face painting and balloon modelling.

Among those in attendance were Sonya Lennon and family, mum-to-be Pamela Flood and her beau Ronan Ryan, Rachel Kavanagh, Lisa Murphy, Arnotts CEO Nigel Blow, Avril and Sharon Bannerton, Lord Mayor Gerry Breen, Karen Koster, Rhona Blake, Justin Green of MCD and Jessie Collins of Irish Tatler.

The ice rink at Arnotts is open daily from 9.30am – 9.30pm until 9th January and tickets are available from http://www.arnotts.ie/ and the iceline on 0818 717 200.

Self Advice

My advice: 1. Brian Keenan & Rebecca Nolan; 2. Senator David Norris & Damien Dempsey; 3. Miriam O'Callaghan & Bill Cullen. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

I think it was David Beckham who said that hindsight is a wonderful thing. Well if you could turn back time to when you were sweet 16 what advice would you give yourself? With Love from Me to Me is a collection of letters written by some of Ireland’s best know people to their 16 year-old selves.

The letters are by turns poignant, hilarious, confessional, confrontational and surprising but never less than thought-provoking. Contributors include Joe O'Connor, Roisin Ingle, Ray D'Arcy, Sonia O'Sullivan, Maeve Binchy, Cathy Kelly, Andrea Roche, Jason Sherlock, Nell McCafferty, Senator David Norris, Ross O'Carroll Kelly, Ardal O'Hanlon and Victoria Smurfit.

The book, which is in aid of the Irish Youth Foundation, was launched at Easons who also announced a partnership with the foundation designed to raise funds to provide opportunities for young people facing adverse and extreme conditions in their lives.

Some of the contributors were there for the launch including Miriam O’Callaghan, Damien Dempsey and Bill Cullen, who looked much less dapper than his boardroom persona in what looked like a shiny tracksuit top...

Style Secrets

Style Queens: 1. Ian Galvin & Sandra Byrne; 2. Lisa Fitzpatrick & Gary Kavanagh; 3. Michelle McGrath & Brian Dowling. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The name ‘Lisa Fitzpatrick’ has long been synonymous with style and fashion in Ireland (she won the VIP Most Stylish award in 2007). As an authority on style it was about time that she put her thoughts, hints and tips into book form for those in need of a fix.

Showing their support for the popular author was her friend and Ireland AM colleague Alan Hughes, Aoife Cogan and Brian Dowling, who this week began his new role as Katherine Lynch’s sidekick in her new RTE show Wagon’s Den. Other familiar faces from the fashion world included Andrea Roche, Pippa O’Connor, Virginia Macari and Ian Galvin.

No slave to fashion, Lisa has thoughtfully entitled the book "Enjoying Style and Fashion" (in all good bookshops now!) and she hosted an exclusive party at The Morgan hotel, Dublin for the launch. The event was the culmination of a very busy year for the wife and mum of two as she balanced her work commitments with running a home AND writing the book. Maybe her next one should be on time management.

Paul Stafford 2010

Havin’ a Ball: 1. Kathryn Thomas & Joanne Rochford; 2. Sarah Gray & Paul Caden; 3. Nadine Wai-O’Flynn & Sarah Lynch. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Paul Stafford Ball has become a firm fixture on the social calender and is now in its 4th year. It always draws a glam crowd to the Mansion House and this year was no exception. Kathryn Thomas did an excellent job as emcee for the evening, as she always does, and 20th Century Gold kept the dance floor hopping with a medley of every song you’ve ever loved.

The Paul Stafford Foundation was established in 2007 to raise awareness and address the serious issue of suicide in Ireland. It was founded by a group of people who were directly affected themselves by suicide and had lost someone they loved to this ever increasing problem. The whole thing was in aid of Turn The Tide on Suicide and its 1Life campaign, which has launched Ireland's first dedicated 24-hour suicide helpline.

Check out www.paulstaffordfoundation.com for more info.

Rasher art

Casher: 1. Eoin Higgins & Lauren Hisada; 2. Lottie Ryan; 3. Rasher with Bernard Dunne & his wife Pamela. (Pix. Sharpix)

Artist Rasher, aka Mark Kavanagh, hosted the opening of his latest exhibition, Womb to the Tomb, recently and a host of well known faces came out to lend their support despite the cold, wintery weather. His art isn’t for everyone and the main piece is certainly an acquired taste, if not slightly offensive (though that didn’t stop Bill Cullen from buying a few of the prints).

Chic Geeks

Festive: 1. Ciara Egan ; 2. Elaine Butler-Doolin & Karen Higgins; 3. Tara Doyle (Pix. Anthony Woods)

Geek Chic: 1. Aisling O'Sullivan & Enda Brogan; 2. Aoibhinn O’Suilleabhain; 3. Caroline Chauvire & Andrew Boland. (Pix. Anthony Woods)

To Ely Place where Carphone Warehouse hosted the first Christmas party of the season. It was a case of gadgets galore (and more) on the evening with the latest tech on show, including phones, netbooks and tablets (the Samsung Galaxy was a particular favourite).

I think it’s cute that the Carphone Warehouse never rebranded over the years. Of course we’ve moved on from the car phone, and they don’t exactly sell out of a warehouse. In fact the next chapter in the brands history is the launch of the first Carphone Warehouse Connected World Store in Dundrum Town Centre. The ambition behind the new venture is to translate the benefits of technology and how it can transform people’s lives.

It will also feature three Geek Squad Agents who will use their passion for technology to help customers to get the most from theirs. With the arrival of The Geek Squad people can put their chosen device’s manual to one side and let the geeks show them how to use it, from optimising computers and backing up data, to support with MP3 players.

They’ll also explain what they’re doing (if people want to know for next time), and whilst they’re serious about technology they don’t take themselves too seriously.

Check In

eLookers: 1. Marie McGrath & Aoife Smith ; 2. Noel Lonergan & Sinead Coll; 3. Lauren & Athena Kelly (Pix. Marc O’Sullivan)

Online travel agent ebookers.ie announced the winner of its Hotel Inspector competition at an industry event in Dublin’s Dylan hotel last week. Athena Kelly beat off tough competition to win the accolade and was judged by industry professionals including Stephen Rice of ebookers and Joan Scales of the Irish Times. Dubbed the “best job in Ireland”, Athena will get to travel around the country and stay in various destinations, all chosen by the public, reviewing hotels as she goes.

Along with this paid vacation Athena also received a state of the art laptop and a digital camera to help her record the exciting adventure. Athena sets off on her tour of Ireland today for two weeks and the public can follow her travels around the country via http://www.ebookers.ie/, which will be updated regularly with hotel reviews and pictures.

On the subject of hotels and awards, congratulations are due to The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt which was the only hotel to win two awards at the recent Condé Nast Johansens 2011 Annual Awards for Excellence. The hotel received the Best Venue and Hotel that accommodate groups of over 100 and the Most Excellent MICE Award for 2011 (meetings, incentives, conference, events).

The glamorous event at The Mayfair Hotel in London was attended by some of the most luxurious and reputable hotels in the world with general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Max Zanardi on hand to collect his two accolades.

INGENUE

Genius: 1. Mena Ryan & Maura Derrane; 2. Maria Fusco; 3. Nadine Wai - O ' Flynn & Tina Choy. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

INGENUE Boutique opened for the first time on Wednesday night in the Westbury Mall to an excited group of stylish ladies who came out en force to support and welcome this new addition to the Dublin fashion scene.

Mena, Josette and Mary-Kate Ryan (of Chica Boutique) welcomed guests as the DJ’s got the revellers into a party mood. Ladies sipped West Coast Cooler and browsed the rails of the gorgeous new collections that arrived especially for the launch night.

Those who were spotted were RTE’s Maura Derrane, Nadine Wai O’Flynn, Norman Pratt, Joan Palmer and her pal Roz Flanagan, Helen and Sophie Appleby as well as Nicky Harris and Maria Fusco who looked fierce in vintage Escada glasses.

INGENUE, in spite of being a relative newcomer, has already a celebrity following including Helen Mirren, Geri Halliwell, GMTV’s Kate Garraway and Karen Koster. Fashion fact: Amy Huberman chose INGENUE’s Gulu dress for her wedding rehearsal this summer.

Due Date

Date night:: 1. Sonja Mohlich & Romy Carroll; 2. Sean Munsanje; 3. Karen & Emma McEvoy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Just when we thought we’d had enough of the slap stick comedy of the American Pie type movies along came The Hangover, which was a box office hit all over the world last year. Well director Todd Philips has hit another home run with Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jnr and Zach Galifianakis (and a few other good cameos). The Irish premiere of the movie took place at Cineworld recently and judging from the audience reaction it’ll be big.

Thomas Sabo at HoF

Romantics: 1. Caroline Hochstrat & Vogue Williams; 2. Sandra Bothwell & Declan Leavy; 3. Sarah Ruxton & Emma Ruxton. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

THOMAS SABO hosted a “Romance” themed party to celebrate its new counter and the presentation of the first ever Thomas Sabo fragrance, Charm Rose, at House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre.

Invited guests were privy to an evening of entertainment, music, and magic with a splash of Romance. Special features on the night included three live models styled as icons Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot, a expansive black carpet, a 4ft high Eiffel Tower ice-sculpture, and a beautiful gazebo adorned in the signature THOMAS SABO black and white stripes.

The fabulous jazz and blues singer Sharon Crosbie charmed the crowd, creating an atmosphere of glamour and romance with her rendition of all time classics, “La vie en Rose” and “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. Some of the well known faces were Holly White, Andrea Roche, Nadia Forde and Vogue Williams.