Not So Wicked After All

We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz... (Or is he?)

I've always loved the Wizard of Oz; Dorothy being the main character, she pulls at your heart strings with her youth, beauty and innocence. The film is based around her and we follow her on her adventure.

There were two witches, Glinda the Good Witch of the South and Elphaba who we know as the Wicked Witch of the West. We never questioned anything about these two characters other than they represented good and bad.

Last night I went to see the Irish premiere of Wicked: The Musical with my other half and Nan. I was quite excited as it was the first showing of the two month production in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the first! (I know, I’m a big kid).

My excitement proved me right and I was not let down by my expectations as this show is absolutely amazing! From the set, sound, colours popping, beautifully and creatively designed costumes, just fabulous!

And then there were the characters, the two main ones, Glinda and Elphaba. This was the untold story of the Witches of Oz...

Glinda and Elphaba have history and it goes a long way back to when they were students. Elphaba was born, well... green! Her sister Nessarose wasn’t green but was in a wheelchair and Elphaba felt very protective of her as if it was her fault.

Elphaba was a gentle soul who loved animals and just wanted to be like everyone else, to fit in and be popular...

Madame Morrible, the headmistress, wanted to teach Elphaba one on one, much to Elphaba’s delight. Madame Morrible knew there was something magical and special in Elphaba... Elphaba decided that she wished for Glinda to join her also.  The pair became roommates and so their friendship began...

As with all fairytales, there’s a handsome young man and in this story, it was Figero. Glinda wanted him as her Prince Charming and of course they looked like the perfect couple. Figero however wasn’t as superficial as he made out to be and seen the softness in Elphaba. Her hard exterior to protect her vulnerability was broken down as she fell for Figero as did he for her...

Elphaba was “chosen” by Madame Morrible to meet the Wizard of Oz and this was all she ever wanted. She knew she was always different and she felt that her dream of meeting the Wizard would justify why... She asked Glinda to accompany her on her journey to the Emerald City.

Upon reaching their destination, Elphaba immediately felt as if she fitted in; for the Emerald City was indeed emerald and Elphaba’s green appearance blended in only too well...

Elphaba’s encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was not at all what she expected. She was disappointed as he never really was magic and it was all pretence. He and Madame Morrible had planned to set up Elphaba because of the powers she beheld and as she refused to be tricked, they proclaimed to the people of Oz that she was wicked...

She loved her sister Nessarose, Glinda and Figero but took on the wicked persona as she felt she had no choice. Glinda was upset that her dream man loved someone else and she set out to get revenge on Elphaba...

Figero believed in the real Elphaba and when Glinda eventually realised that they were meant to be together, that her own love for Figero was unrequited and she was not that girl, she decided to help Elphaba but it was all too late...

The Land of Oz had turned against Elphaba and the only way to kill her was to throw water over her. Trying to rescue Elphaba from the witch hunters; Figero was caught.

Elphaba wanted Glinda to carry on with the ‘wicked lie’ and learn to take over the magic in order to continue from where she left off...

Before the departure of Elphaba, she has a lovely scene with her best friend Glinda as they share a special bond that can never be broken.

Assuming Figero is dead and Elphaba must die, Glinda reluctantly bids farewell to her best friend...

The magic of this untold story is that we’re led to believe the Wicked Witch is dead... But to our surprise and disbelief she had to cast a spell with her powers to be with Figero forever...

Figero was now the Scarecrow, the cub (from the beginning of the show) was now the Lion and Boq (the munchkin whose heart was broken by Glinda) was now the Tinman!

All will become clear when you see this spectacular show... I know you’re intrigued but it all makes sense in the end... And as for the Wizard... he was Elphaba’s father all along! I know, mad!!

This show was definitely magical and spellbinding to watch... It was definitely wicked but the witch was not... Never judge a book by its cover, especially if it’s green!

Elphaba had a kind soul and loved animals...

Elphaba and Glinda

Glinda with her desired Prince Charming Figero

Off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz...

The Emerald City really was emerald!

The Wizard was not who Elphaba had hoped for

Elphaba was upset that Glinda had set her up

Elphaba loved her sister Nessarose

She also loved Figero

Her lovely last moment with her best friend Glinda

Not a Wicked Witch at all...

The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, a truly magical show

#wicked #notsowickedafterall #tashcorcoran #fortheloverof #blogspot #blogger #witchesofoz

Autumn Lovelies

I never thought I'd say it but I love autumn... I'm normally a summer person, I love the sun (I could live in it all year round). The sun makes everyone happy, everyone's in good form, big smiley heads on us all going around and of course we look fresh and healthy with our glowing skins!

I get a bit down in dumps when it goes... I can't stand the cold, rain, darker evenings and mornings... Cold hands, feet and a big red nose, it just doesn't sit well with me! I have to make the most of the brightness while it exists...

On a walk in the Phoenix Park the other day I couldn't believe the amount of beauty to be seen with this autumn season... Reds, yellows, greens, oranges, browns... The colours were amazing and beautiful to see. I began to take photos (I took a lot!) and close up; the leaves looked so pretty and light with a depth of strength... We never realise the trees growing through the year, the leaves forming, developing, changing, falling... They are all around us in the autumn, free to admire and consider their delicacy... They are there to be appreciated and that I did and always will... Autumn really is lovely...

(image source http://justmargaret.tumblr.com)

#autumn #autumnlovelies #phoenixpark #tashcorcoran #fortheloverof #blogspot #blogger 

Pour Some Sugar On Me

Yes I have a sweet tooth, I think most people do. Who doesn't like cakes?! Oh even now I'm thinking of them... custard cream, lemon slice, chocolate fudge... And a nice cuppa tea to wash it all down!

We all love a bit of shopping, am I right? I'm more into online shopping lately but when I'm in town, I love going to Temple Bar. I've always had a thing for Temple Bar, the vibe, atmosphere, gigs, music, art, clothes and we can't forget the food and perhaps an aul pint of Guinness!

Now getting back to cakes! Right in the heart of Temple Bar, sits a lovely little tea/coffee shop called quite simply The Bakery. Yummy cakes, bread, pastries, sandwiches, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and much more are all made fresh on the day and taste delicious! The aroma just entices you anyway so you've no hope trying to pass by without popping in.

In the summer, it's just lovely to sit across from The Bakery in their outside seating area, taking in the hustle and bustle of Temple Bar while soaking up the sun and eating heavenly food... Sweet, sweet food...

And of course you can't forget the staff; the glue that holds The Bakery together... Friendly and lovely with a bit of banter thrown into the mix (see what I did there?); you wouldn't be in Dublin without it!

The Bakery really is a yummy hideaway so sweeten up and taste it for yourself. What is it Def Leppard say? Pour some sugar on me!

http://dublincity.wix.com/thebakerytemplebar
https://www.facebook.com/thebakerydublin
https://twitter.com/thebakerydublin

The Bakery, Temple Bar, Dublin

(image source http://dublincity.wix.com/thebakerytemplebar)

A yummy welcome from The Bakery
(image source https://www.facebook.com/thebakerydublin)

Fresh bread and cakes, delicious!
(image source https://www.facebook.com/thebakerydublin)

I'm off to The Bakery!
(image source www.facebook.com/thebakerydublin)

#thebakery #templebar #poursomesugaronme #thebakerydublin #tashcorcoran #fortheloverof #blogspot #blogger

Embrace the Brace

I was a typical nerdy kid growing up, loved doing well in school, had my own group of friends but got on with most other kids. Secondary school and the pre-teen spots started... I became quite insecure; big ears, glasses (they weren't cool back then) and these horrible things on my face. To top it off, my Mam bought me a second-hand gabardine and from what I could make of it, it was from the 80's! Now I love the 80's, in fact I think I should have been a teenager in the 80's - Queen, Thin Lizzy, Blondie... and don't get me started on the fashion, it was just class, it's our vintage now to enjoy..

Now back to this gabardine, talk about black sheep of the family. Going to school with the girls, I stood out (for all the wrong reasons!). The girls were pretty and blonde, had lovely skin, nice teeth and of course they had normal coloured gabardines! You think I'm exaggerating but theirs were literally what I would call a petrol green shade and mine was illuminous green!

So why am I telling you all this? In secondary school, my confidence only started to come back in my Leaving Cert year; spots were less visible and controlled, I became accustomed to the gabardine (I wore it for 5 years and it was easy to pick out from the rest at home-time!) and I had nice teeth (had being the operative word)..

As the years went on, socialising with friends, going to gigs, clubs and just finding myself as a person (I think I still am), I started to have a "thing" for nice teeth. It'd be the first thing I'd notice when talking or looking at someone.

My own teeth began to go crooked in my mid 20's and I considered braces. I was no longer the spotted illuminous green gabardine wearer but a young confident girl who was starting to feel conscious of my teeth!

I've since got braces, reluctantly putting it off for a few years and I have to say, I'm happy I have. I reckon back in the day, braces would have added to the insecurity I felt so it seems like the right time. Yes I've had the soreness, the awkwardness of eating, drinking through a straw and the elastics! But I'm older, wiser (I like to think so anyway) and comfortable enough in my own skin to wear them at this stage.

Now they don't look like Rihanna's, Beyonce's or Miley's grills but I like to think more quirky and goofy as in Katy Perry T.G.I.F... It's not forever and I love that video! I even tried to dress up as her for Halloween because of my braces but the costume wasn't in stock...

Time's flying by already and next year I'll have a Hollywood smile, well kind of, not in a Simon Cowell way, more so a Dublin way!

I've definitely embraced the brace...

(Images source http://quotesgram.com/smile-with-braces-quotes)

More like quirky Katy Perry T.G.I.F. She wears them so well!

    (image source Katy Perry via "Last Friday Night" video)

Now I love Lady Gaga but no thanks to this grill! 
(image source www.independent.ie/woman/lady-gaga-halloween-is-over-29724344.html) 

#braces #embracethebrace #tashcorcoran #fortheloverof #blogspot #blogger

Fashionising She-Ra!

So most of us had a cartoon character that we loved growing up and we watched them on the telly for many a day, happy as Larry not having a clue about the world we were growing up in... We didn't care, we didn't have to care, we were kids, kids are free, free from worry and free to dream...

Well no guessing who I endlessly watched, yes, She-Ra; she was cool!

She looked cool, she acted cool and I wanted to be cool... I wanted to be like She-Ra, Princess of Power.

I went to bed at night with my She-Ra bed-covers and curtains hanging up, dreaming I could be like She-Ra, dreaming I'd be cool...

For I wasn't the cool kid in school, I was nerdy (yes intelligent), I always done my homework, extra if I had to, sometimes I even enjoyed it, especially art; I loved creativity... Kids minds run wild and they can imagine all sorts, they can be amazing and they are amazing...

So! You would think growing up as a kid or in my teens or 20's that of course I would have dressed up as She-Ra for Halloween at some stage but I didn't, I don't know why really... Different ideas pop up regarding what you're interested in at the time... Queen of Tarts (ahem, sorry Hearts), a high school zombie (yes cliché but I did look the part and scared the bejesus out of myself), Wednesday from the Addams Family (man I loved that black pig-tail wig and black eye contacts) and Edward Scissorhands (seriously awkward trying to have a pint with those foam knife fingers but who doesn't love Johnny Depp?).

Anyways... So She-Ra never entered my mind as a character to dress up as even with the option of my other half dressing up as He-Man (he loved him as a kid, ironic...)

Last year I became interested in sewing and my aunt helped me on my way... A little bag at first and I was only delighted with myself!

Rummaging around one day, I came across my old She-Ra curtains and bed-covers but no pillow case and a frown started to form upon my face. I haven't a clue why I was disappointed with no pillow case; it's a single bed-cover so it wouldn't fit my double bed anyway! But like the big kid I am, I put the curtains up, reminiscing of She-Ra on the telly back in the day. I decided not to waste my bed-covers and began to make a She-Ra funky dress (annoying my patient aunt along the way).

And so it was, finally created, my She-Ra dress and man was She cool! She still sits in my wardrobe and I have yet to wear her but with a special birthday coming up next year, I reckon I'll don her and be a cool Princess of Power, even if it is just for a day...

She-Ra as I seen her as a kid (image source www.comicbookmovie.com)

My old bed covers before I started my creation

In the process of making

My cool dress, love it! 

(image source www.etsy.com/ie/shop/ashleyg)

#she-ra #fashion #tashcorcoran #fashionisingshe-ra #fortheloverof #blogspot #blogger #superhero