Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these gorgeous vintage inspired peep-toe pumps

✯ Day 74 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Just because St. Patty's Day is one of those holidays - much like Valentine's Day and Halloween - that we don't get off from work (seriously, why not? We're so starved for statutory holidays over here in North America!), doesn't mean it isn't every bit as worthy of celebrating as say those we do.

Whether you're veins course with Irish blood or you merely embrace the Irish spirit for a day on March 17th, St. Pat's is one of those good times, have a blast, cheer with the best of them holidays that is definitely further enhanced by the wearing of verdant hues that instantly call to mind the pastoral landscape of Ireland (trust me, I lived in Ireland for two years, they really are that green!), meadows blossoming with clover (shamrocks), and the emerald band that appears in the Irish flag.

If however, you're not too keen on kitschy shamrock shaped glasses, comically oversized stovepipe hats, and novelty t-shirts soliciting smooches because you're Irish, fear not, it's still entirely possible to go green on St. Patrick's Day in a way that would make any Irishman's heart swell with pride.

Personally, I stick with my usual vintage style, however I make sure to reach for pieces in hues of green and gold. The thought hit me the other day however, that I don't currently own any green vintage shoes!

Given that we’re just two days away at this point, it may be too late to remedy that issue for this St. Patty's Day. However, I found a pair online that would look ravishing on absolutely any March 17th!

Cut in a sleek, sophisticated style that instantly calls to mind similar shoes from the 1940s and 50s, these classy Nina Culver peep-toe pumps - in a shade called Apple Green - are so gorgeous you'll want to sport them on St. Pat’s Day and all 364 other days of the year, too!

Made of satin, featuring a lovely crossed band section over the toe area, and a 2.25 inch heel, these feminine green pumps cost $79.95 and are available from Zappos in ladies full and half sizes in 5-11.

They would look ravishing paired with shades of brown, ivory, cream, white, rust, teal, navy, denim, black, and peach (to name but a few), and would definitely show your of Irish spirit if you wore them on St. Patrick's Day (and if you ask, me they're worthy of a kiss from a fine Irish gent far more than any t-shirt! ).

Wonderful Wednesday Recipe: Pan Cooked Irish Soda Bread

Every cook should have a bevy of fail-safe recipes in their repertoire that can easily be whipped up in the blink of an eye. This spin on a true Irish classic is one such dish in my arsenal of “on the table in minutes” recipes that can be enjoyed long after the green beer of St. Paddy’s has stopped flowing.

Utilizing just four ingredients, this recipe naturally lends itself to variation. You can easily enhance it with a handful of your favourite fresh herbs (chives are wonderful here), dried fruit (cranberries or blueberries, for example), spices, cooked and crumbled bacon, or a couple of tablespoons of jam or fruit preserves swirled through the uncooked batter.

This wonderfully simple and deeply delicious recipe resonates with the spirit of Irish cooking and pairs just as beautifully with other Celtic flavours (think cabbage, gammon, leeks) as it does with dishes from other ethnic backgrounds. I love this hearty soda bread alongside barbequed foods, corn on the cob or simply paired with a flavourful salad for lunch or a light supper (it’s also rather spectacular spread, while still piping warm, with homemade peach jam).

I’ll be firing up the stovetop and cooking a pan of this classic soda bread with a slight twist, tonight as an accompaniment to soup made with the first tender spring vegetables that are starting to appear at the market, baked potatoes, and blackberry sorbet for our celebratory March 17th dinner.

Wishing everyone a delightfully festive St. Patrick’s Day that’s as bright and enjoyable as a spectacular Irish rainbow!





Pan Cooked Irish Soda Bread


Ingredients

•1 cup buttermilk

•½ tsp fine sea or kosher salt

•1 tsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

•1 cup self-rising flour


Directions

Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl then turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough with your hands for about 4 minutes, then shape into an 8-inch (wide) ball. Dust the blade of a sharp knife with flour and slice the ball in four equal sized quarters.

Heat a non-stick griddle or frying pan over medium high heat (if your stovetop veers on the really hot side, “medium” heat may be sufficient) and place the 4 dough portions in the pan (note, if you don’t have a non-stick pan, use a cast iron griddle or heavy bottomed frying pan in which you melt a tbsp of butter before placing the dough into the pan).

Cook the soda bread for about 5 minutes on each side, ensuring that it’s cooked through evenly. You will want to watch it carefully and check often to make sure that the bread in not getting too dark for your taste (if it’s browning before you feel it’s cooked through, reduce the heat).

As soon as this rustically lovely soda bread is finished cooking, transfer it from the pan to a serving plate and bring to the table, complete with plenty of creamy butter (if you can find actual Irish butter, all the better!), and commence eating at once.

Wrap any leftovers in brown paper and then plastic wrap, store in a cool spot for up to two days.

Makes 4 side dish sized portions of soda bread.

Erin Go Bragh!

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with vintage photos of famous Irish people

In honour of St. Patrick’s Day this coming Wednesday, I thought it would be oodles of fun to depart for a change from the usual weekend edition of “Saturday Snapshots” (which is geared towards featuring vintage photos of everyday people), and instead bring you a selection (ten to be exact, the same number of images I always include with Saturday Snapshots) of photos of famous Irish faces.

Some of these people were born on Irish soil, others carried Irish blood in their veins, but all are widely known to have (genealogical) ties to Éire.

To accompany each vintage photograph, I’ve paired an engaging quote said by the respective person in the picture, which I hope helps to provide a window into the minds of these well-known, and much loved, illustrious sons and daughters of Ireland.




{“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.”
~ William Butler Yeats}




{“Above all else, deep in my soul, I'm a tough Irishwoman.”
~ Maureen O’Hara}




{“If the American family has seemed in danger of disintegration, I believe and hope it will survive, and I think America will return to old values.” ~ James Cagney}




{“Other women looked on me as a rival. And it pained me a great deal.” ~ Grace Kelly.}




{“I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.” ~ James Joyce}





{“It's nice to be immortal. Film has given us immortality. Now my children are going to appreciate Tarzan.” ~ Maureen O’Sullivan}




{“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw}




{“I feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe}




{“I got started dancing because I knew it was one way to meet girls.”
~ Gene Kelly.}




{“After all, tomorrow is another day.” ~ Margaret Mitchell}



{The images above are from are from Wikipedia and IMDB, please click on a specific photograph to be it to be taken to its respective page (and to learn more about each of these fascinating Irish figures).}




Though I am a complete and utter Heinz 57 of European nationalities, to date I have not yet found a drop Irish ancestry in my past. Nevertheless, I like to think I’ve made up for this in part by the two years (between 2004 and 2006) that my husband and I lived in the Emerald Aisle.

While there it was fascinating to see what famous names are held in the highest regard (and/or which garner the most notoriety). Though modern day celebs like Colin Farrell, Liam Nesson, Pierce Brosnan, Sinéad O'Connor, Bono, Enya, and Michael Flatley are certainly popular, I found that Ireland did a very good job of keeping past figures of note (such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Bram Stoker) squarely in the present day limelight, too.

The selection of photographs above includes a selection of my favourite Irish stars of stage, writers, and artists, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the world. As St. Paddy’s Day approaches, I would love to hear who some of your most beloved Irish celebrities (past or present) are – who knows, they may appear in a future post centered around celebrating March 17th! :)

Vintage Fashionist Friday (special St. Patrick’s Day edition!): March 12, 2010

Last week’s debut of the new post Vintage Fashionista Friday, received a very warm welcome and a slew of wonderful comments that led me to know I’d selected a great theme for Chronically Vintage’s end of the work week article.

I’m delighted to know that so many of you like the idea of assigning a lovely girl’s name to each outfit I put together, and sincerely hope that you’ll enjoy today’s festively verdant and shamrock filled homage to the Emerald Isles and (next Wednesday’s) St. Patrick’s Day, which I like to imagine being worn by a fair skinned, redheaded Irish lass named...


{Whether you live in Dublin, Dresden, or Delaware, keep spring’s bounty of rain from ruining your stylish vintage hairdo with this terrifically fun green and white polka dot umbrella (which comes with a cute matching rain hat) from Samsonite. Available for $23.67 (Cnd) from Overstock.com, this 100% polyester umbrella is travel size and can easily fit into a purse or even large coat pocket, ensuring you’re never caught off guard when a spring shower hits!}



{Adorable, dimensional leaves wind their way up the front of this pretty Kelly green, ¾ length sleeve, cotton and cashmere cardigan. Perfect for nippy March days – or an under-heated pub! – this whimsical sweater, which features a snap front and beautiful lattice work around the collar, is available in sizes XS – XL, for $98.00 (Cnd) from Anthropologie.com.}



{Help impart the luck of the Irish into your wardrobe with this timelessly charming necklace featuring a 1” sterling silver horseshoe and an itty-bitty brass shamrock strung on an 18” sterling silver chain. This dainty, elegantly fun piece of jewelry is available for $29.00 (US) from etsy seller Luxe Deluxe.}



{There is something so understatedly lovely about this classic, modest vintage frock with its moss green and white gingham pattern. Trimmed with white eyelet and sporting a row of wee little buttons down the front, this sweet dress fits up to a 36 inch bust/28 inch waist, and can be had for $74.00 (US) from etsy seller Thirteen Eighty-Five’s shop.}



{A lady can never have too many pairs of gloves in her arsenal of accessories, and this sophisticated hand crocheted cotton pair would make a welcome addition to any gal’s closet (or glove box!). This “new old stock” pair of gloves was sourced in Ireland and is described as having a bit of stretch to it, thus allowing it to fit most hand sizes. Gorgeous for any event from a wedding to a night out at your favourite Irish restaurant, these wonderful gloves are available for $29.00 (US) from etsy seller White O'Morn Cottage Shop.}



{Carry around a burst of jolly green clover in your pocket or purse everyday with this lovely little embroidered linen handkerchief. Measuring 9”, this hemmed vintage hankie comes packaged in its own clear top box, and is available for a mere $2.88 (US) from etsy seller Vintage Sew and Sew.}



{Let your feet imagine they’re wandering through a grassy Irish meadow in these immensely lovely green suede pumps from the 1950s. A classic cut and hue, paired with a subtle bow detail, ensure these shoes will forever hold court amongst your footwear. This marvellous pair of heels, which fit a (modern) US size 6.5 to 7, is available for $45.00 (US) from etsy seller Carnival Moon.}

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Wishing you each a weekend that glistens as enchantingly as the colours of a rainbow, and which is filled with the merry spirit of St. Paddy’s Day!