Raygun...

It is the summer and I am not in college, and since I am not in college at the moment my mind has neglected the graphic design part of my brain. I need to rectify this by finding some really good graphic design blogs, I'm still searching (if you know any please let me know).

The spreads above are from the magazine "Raygun" that I found on the net. "Raygun" was a alternative rock and roll magazine, which ran from 1992 to 2000.

I had first come across the magazine and its glorious spreads while writing my essay on postmodernism (so I just had to put the magazine on the blog). The magazine explored typography and ended up with some brilliant if not slightly disorientated designs.

I don't know exactly who designed these spreads (if you know please tell), but sure they are cool to look at... So enjoy the oddity that are these spreads!

You are so spoilt...

I decided to write this post after my mother this morning decided she wanted to buy me a bikini for when I go to the beach, it cost her €52! Which is loads, I told her this and that I had a perfectly good bathing suit but she replies that she wants me to enjoy being young while I can and have things that she was never allowed to. It still felt like an obscene amount of money so I offered to sand the decking furniture as repayment which she accepted.

Anyway, the whole thing got me thinking about money and being spoilt. I am 20, full time student who could not find a job this summer, so I make withdrawals from the mammy and daddy bank. I have only had one part time job (for a very short while, it was Christmas work) so I have been living off the parents my whole life... And it was fine when I was younger, when I didn't know any better but as I grew I have become more aware of my parents spending and their obligations (mortgages, college fees, bills etc) and it makes me feel terrible that I have to ask for money for the cinema, going out and so on.

I love to get things! Who doesn't??? But I feel sometimes that too much money is spent on me (only sometimes) and when my mother offers to buy me something I have this inner battle with what I want and what I think I should do... I suppose it is a good thing I feel this way, if I felt perfectly fine and thought I deserved that new bikini I would be a spoilt person and I would need a serious talking to...

I do not think that getting things off your parents makes you spoilt, I do not think that not having a job at 20 makes you a bum but unfortunately it doesn't stop feeling like I am sometimes...

All things old and green...

Tis a nice day today (thankfully), perfect for taking outdoor shots of my outfit today. The dress is my "skinny" dress (was bought when I was 16 and much fitter as I was a rower). I haven't fit in it since I was 17 so I am happy to be at a healthier weight now. Don't get me wrong I love my curves but I just wish to be more toned and slightly less round, so it feels great to once again fit in this gorgeous dress!

I rarely wear this cardigan, I like it but I find it looks awkward and messy with a lot of my outfits because of the way it hangs. And these boots are new! Ok I didn't break my shopping detox I just cheated a little, for you see my mother bought me these (so it's totally alright he he). But anyway aren't they lovely... They are a cheapo pair from Penneys and I just love the detail on the buckles, so very bad guy western (also reminds me of Kasabian's latest album).

I don't have much to do today, but yet I feel in a creative mood... Maybe I'll paint... I am gonna be experimental with dinner today, does that count as creative????. I am making (or at least trying to make) hunters stew which is chicken and tomatoes and garlic and all that jazz in stew form with a side of chunky brown bread yummy!

Dress/ Cardigan: Warehouse

Boots: Penneys

Shamelessly wanting your love...

I have realised that, between google, facebook and bloglovin, I have 76 followers! Thank you! I have also noticed my closest friends and family have followed me twice (but I only counted them once he he).

So this post is to thank everyone who takes the time to read my blog, leave comments or joined one of the three links above! Thank you so much I really do appreciate it... And if you wish to follow me please do! If you don't have a google account or a bloglovin account there is always facebook, where there are updates of new posts and random comments from yours truly! And if you don't wish to follow you can leave comments anyway, I love hearing what all you guys have to say...

I am almost at 80 followers and I am very excited! It is only a small blog (compared to so many out there) but it is a well loved blog, by myself and I hope by you...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for accepting me and my blog xxx

A whole lot of something...

I have had a nice few days since Sunday, you know those days when you are just always doing something and even when your not it's still fun...

Was out Sunday night and had a tad too much fun which caused an ill stomach for the morning of Monday... But Monday started to get better as I went for a lovely swim with the boyfriend at our local pool. Did a few lengths and got dunked a lot! And later that day went to see Inception. My dear readers go see it! I loved it and I know you will to... If you have seen it let me know what you thought.

So on Tuesday the boyfriend dragged me up a mountain (very proud that I didn't collapse and die of exhaustion) but despite my gasping and the fact I was always a few feet behind him I enjoyed it (it's nice to move out of your comfort zone every now and again). Once we got to the top we got the most amazing view, wish I had a camera I could have taken a photo for you guys. When you stop and look Ireland is such a beautiful place (soppy and silly I know but it's true!)

My pretty big bow and hair looking rather dull (that's what I get for adding effects to my pictures...)

Above is what I am wear today... Ain't that the prettiest bow you ever did see!?!?! I love it! Got it on sale in Topshop. And look I am wearing heels just like I said I would. But I have a feeling these will having to come off now as I have just found out the boyfriend and I are doing some more walking in the countryside. So converse it is! At least I had the heels for a little while...

Hairband: Topshop

Heels: Penneys (gift from big sis)

High heel girl...

I have always had this idea that truly stylish women when they are all grown up wear heels during the day as well as night... I just love the idea of heels as a staple for your everyday wear. As much as I love my flats and boots I always feel outfits look a billion times better with with heels, maybe it is just the girlie girl part of me (which is a big part!). And now at the age of twenty I feel I am properly on the verge of womanhood and that I need to train my feet to accept heels as their companion for the rest of their lives. So I am going to do my best to wear heels once if not twice a week and build my feet into heel loving creatures. It may sound foolish to some of you but it is one of my silly aspirations in life to be a stylish lady who always wears heels...

Speaking of heels... I saw these Stella McCartney beauties on MaryKate Olsen a long while ago and I was intrigued. The look effortless to me and I liked them, but I forgot about them until recently when I found the same shoes on said Olsen twin while I was internet rumaging and the interest was reignited.

Night?

Day?

I came across two pairs that are in my budget, one more similar to the original than the other but both gorgeous in my opinion. A night pair and a day pair if you will... I want both but I can't see me affording both. So the question is which to buy? I suppose it depends on which one is available in a month (I am going on clothes/shoes buying detox). But if I were to buy one pair now I simply wouldn't know which...

Which would you pick if any?

They're my new, "I don't need a job, I don't need my parents, I've got great boots" boots

Ok, I know I need a job (I just don't have one) and I know I need my parents (even if I had a job) but it is one of my favourite lines from "Friends" and these boots are utterly amazing!

Bought (as a gift from my wonderful mother) to replace my old boots which are sadly dying and cannot be saved according to some cobbler (twas a sad day indeed). I will take extra special care of these boots and hopefully they will last a lot longer, granted the other boots did last over two years.

Now, "why do I love these boots so much?" I hear you asking which such curiosity. Well for many many reasons... They are tan which I always think is the perfect colour for an everyday boots because it goes with pretty much every other colour, they are pull on which I much prefer to the zippy ones ( I actually don't own any zippy ones anymore), They are the nicest feeling leather EVER (smooth yet textured), they have they perfect heel height for a busy day, they are so pretty and comfy, they have a good sturdy sole and did I mention they are pretty???

So in conclusion, I love my new boots...

Jacket: Dorothy Perkins (used to belong to my ma in the nineties)

Top: Awear

Shorts: Penneys

Boots: Office

Rain washes the dust away...

Another outfit post.... you must be getting sick of them by now. I like dressing up (don't judge me) and showing off my wardrobe (please please please don't judge me).

Anyway, the weather is odd... It is wet, cloudy and dull (but humid at times). So the past few days have been causing me some problems when I wander into my room and rummage for an outfit. It is warm enough to wear shorts and skirts and dresses but wet enough that you wanna grab your jeans and long cardigan! So I have tried to meet half way today. The shorts suggest summer (and I won't get hot and bothered) and the brogues are sturdy enough not to get wet feet. The shirt is light but it covers me so I don't look like I am desperately clinging to the sunshine. I feel it works and am very pleased with my attempt.

In other news, I've been trying to work on my posing (can you tell???). Sometimes I feel like I can put those editorial models to shame but other times (more than I would like) I just think I look silly and awkward. More work is needed...

Like a sheep at Oxygen...

Now I know it is the summer, but I am looking out the window and it is simply bucketing down... So forgive me for thinking of lace-up booties and warm woolies (my wardrobe for the winter: must buy lace-up boots). When the sun comes out I will rejoice and dance in my floaty dresses and my bare legs but for now I am dreaming of the oncoming fashion season.

The image that got my heart racing from the RTE Guide (apologies on the poor quality).

And I am crushing over the H&M collection. I first noticed it in this weeks RTE Guide of all places. I have to say I like what I see (don't you???) and I am looking forward to the collection coming out and making some of these pieces (hopefully) my own.

The whole collection has this air of mismatched chic that I am totally loving... Mixing heavy wools and busy patterns with strict tailoring and layering loads. I love the ethnic meets office chic! The textures are gorgeous and the colour scheme is simple and classic with a few bold streaks to dazzle the eyes and warm the soul.

I need those boots by the way...

The second winter collection I am lusting after is the Topshop collection. It is divine! The capes, the socks, the shorts, the heavy wools and gorgeous layering.... I want it all, I need it all. I have a feeling I will be inspired heavily by this collection this winter and I have my eye on that tartan cape (simply gorgeous!). Again it has this rough and ready, mismatched chic (with a little bit of lady like glamour thrown in for good measure) and I think it works beautifully!

I am loving the summer and want the sun to come back and stay awhile longer, but when the days grow short and the temperature drops it is good to know this winter's style will keep frostbite away and keep the jealous glances coming...

No baskets of fruit...

I am really really liking the 2011 Resort collection by Chris Benz. I just think it is stunning... Simple as.

Benz says he was thinking of Sascha Brastoff, a mid-century ceramist as a starting off point. Brastoff's muses included Carmen Miranda. Miranda was quite the tomboy in the forties and this was also an inspiration for Benz.

I feel the Carmen Miranda vibe from these pieces but also just a slight bit of Jackie O, especially in the designing of the hair. I really do get the feel of outlandish holidays in Brazil or Argentina when I look at this collection. I can just imagine some ridiculously rich aristocratic couple had landed in South America for the summer and this is what was in the woman's many many suitcases.

Maybe thats why I love this collection so much...

Apologies about the amount of pictures, I found it very hard to narrow down this collection.