wish I was wearing #1

Basking in the last of the subtle summer rays and watching the leaves change into golden dancers... 

In this "transitional period" of seasons (both of the year and in fashion) all I want to do is edge my way into cable knits and opaque tights while still staying fresh with some gorgeous colour blocking (a transitional trend if I ever saw one!) 

Wish I was wearing this today.

boots boots...

I would say it's getting to that time of year again where we start lusting after our winter wardrobe but as we all know I've been feeling the autumnal vibe for some time now. Never the less it isn't stopping me from using autumn as an excuse to drool over these shoes. Sure they'll keep my feet warm and they'll keep me out of the puddles.

They are totally practically...

And divine! I wanna wear them with baggy jumpers and leggings, with chunky socks and maxi skirts, with opaque tights and fitted mini dresses. I just wanna wear them! And since they are worth a pretty penny over in Office it will be (unfortunately) awhile before I shall be wearing them... But I am determined to save up and purchase and then swoon as I look at them on my feet.

But which colour? Leaning towards brown myself.

smooth dizziness...

I said I wanted a massive wooly jumper and I succeeded in getting one. I love it! It is indeed massive on me and I worry at times that I look too shapeless in it. But isn't that the point... Bagginess that hides all lumps and bumps for that comfy/lazy/hip look. It is also nice and warm, not too warm that I can't wear it in August but warm enough that a vest underneath in winter will keep me nice and toasty. Plus aren't the little stitched on pearls so cute! I didn't want an overly fussy jumper but I didn't want a plain one either, a perfect balance.

I also become slightly obsessed with giant rings (as you may have noticed). Have bought two alone in the past week! Am really creating quite a collection. I really think they add an edge to any outfit, even the most basic/average one. So I think they are gonna become something of a staple for me, especially in college. If I can't look awesome at least my fingers will!

Jumper/Two large rings: Shutterbug

Tights: Dunnes

Boots/Shorts: Penneys

blogger brunch...

Yesterday I went to a Blogger Brunch at The Cliff Townhouse on Stephen’s Green. It was hosted by the lovely Rosemary Mac Cabe. The brunch was to get bloggers together to chat, have fun, eat sweets and learn about the Dublin Fashion Festival.

The festival kicks off on the 8th of September (which is a Thursday) and runs through the weekend. There will be loads of things to see and do such as catwalk shows, exhibitions, master classes (such as how to walk in high heels and how to get style on a shoestring budget), workshops and so much more. Really a great weekend of stuff and I suggest that you all do at least one thing...

To learn more about the Dublin Fashion Festival just check out their website here.

Sorry for the lack of photos I was too busy talking to people (bad blogger) but here is a snap of the amazing chandelier that was in the room.

chunky...

Now that I have my brogues and this satchel (thanks mum!) I feel my winter college look is nearing completion. And despite the fact that I love prim and proper looks for the most part, it isn't always appropriate for college. Getting up late, rushing around with bags (and in my case portfolios and massive sketch books), staying up late to work, not trusting the heating systems in your flat/college, well this all leads me away from being a bit of a Joan Holloway to be perfectly honest. Maybe when I'm older.

So what will work? What will still look well on but not require a hour getting ready? What will be warm? And comfy? Chunky knits of course! Cardigans or jumpers I'm not picky...

I'm off to Dublin on Wednesday and I'm looking forward to rummaging through the vintage shops to find me a few bargains. In my opinion it is probably the best place to shop for items like that, there seems to be truck loads of chunky stuff lately! Hopefully I will find some... Maybe with some quirky prints on them!

Just maybe...

a little bit of lusting...

I have to stop looking at the Zara website. Last week I wanted a snake-print dress and now this Saturday  I would gladly take a pair of these please (size 5, thank you very much). Just love the electric blue and the pewter clash, the shape, the heel height, everything! 

Gimme!

a night at shutterbug...

Took a little trip down to Kilkenny last night to visit the newly revamped shop that is Shutterbug. Since the shop opening little over a year ago when it simply dealt with photography and styling it has gone from strength to strength. Christmas time last year it opened it's doors as a vintage shop as well and has become what I can only describe as a cult favourite! 

They do have an online shop but if you ever get a chance to visit the shop I strongly suggest that you do... It has such a relaxed vibe to it, you feel like you can simply try on the clothes (for hours) if you wish and waltz around the shop dressed to the nines! I have a cunning feeling that the owner (Blanaid Hennessey) will dress up with you and pose exquisitely beside you...

Their stock is not only vintage, but quirky, rebellious and at times extravagant... I felt like I was wandering through the wardrobes of adolescent outcasts that created their own world of sequins, silk and faded denim. I can imagine them holding their own heart wrenching plays in the back room and then going out on the town in their costumes to blind and dazzle the locals while sipping on expensive champagne and vodka. 

Truly the wild ones of Kilkenny.

the big deal knickers...

Lately I've become obsessed with high waisted panties. I just find them more comfortable, flattering and the hold me in so I have a much smoother silhouette, especially since I love to wear fitted dresses and skirts. The only problem is that the majority of big knickers (in my price range) that are around are those nasty granny ones (which do have their uses but can make you feel less than desirable). For years knickers were teeny and unless you had a massive budget you were forced to wear teeny knickers with cute prints and pretty fabrics or wear big knickers that would resemble your aunts!

Thankfully though, more and more places are making and stocking sexy and luxurious high waisted knickers. From the bra makers Curvy Kate to the good auld Dunnes. But I don't think that's enough. Over the past few months I've been browsing the web to find more high waisted panties to add to my collection and the majority are unnaturally expensive! People seem to link high waisted knickers to either granny pants or super sexy lingerie that only come out when you are seducing your man. And super sexy lingerie happen to have a super sexy price tag that one cannot afford. But why are they so expensive and why do only exotic boutiques stock them? Why can I not find them in Penneys or La Senza on a daily basis (and not one every year or so).

Am I alone in this? Am I the only one who loves seductive high waisted knickers? Is that why they are not trickling down into high street shops at decent prices? Does this annoy anyone else or am I just a wee bit mad?

Rant over...

school shoes...

I am wondering if anyone else does this... My favourite part of going back to school as a little girl, and then as an older girl, was getting my brand new school shoes. It was so exciting! (You can tell my love for shoes started from a young age.) Anyway, mine would always be patent, I just adored the shiny look of them. Today is no exception... Because even though I am heading into my final year at college I have bought myself a pair of patent school shoes.

I can see myself living in the babies. I always find brogues so comfortable and are great for the cold days when you are simply sick of boots. I am so excited about receiving them that I am already styling them with the rest of my wardrobe. The outfits will be similar to the three below...

This one I love the most... I already have a massive cardigan that was knitted by my mum (thanks mum!) Just need a couple more tea dresses... Surprisingly I have very few!

This outfit I think would be great for days that are finished off in the local pub or cafe. I simply love those burgundy trousers... Must. get. them.

This one will probably be my most common day to day outfit. I am loving buttoned up cardigans for tops at the moment.

Will any of you be buying "back to school" shoes? Or anything else for that matter... Also how would you wear brogues? Am dying to know...

lusting after...

Just letting you all know what my dreams are filled with this past few days... I saw this dress on one of my favourite international blogs, Fashion Squad. The beautiful Carolina Engman was on top of Etna (yes the volcano) dressed in this extraordinary full length snakeskin print dress with a pair of busted up converse. Oh the juxtaposition, how I love it! 

Fortunately it is actually from Zara but unfortunately it is not in my size... Oh well, I will search for an alternative.

finally coming...

Ladies of Carlow...

I am sure you have known me to go on about the Beauty Spot. Always wanting to go but never was able to, well now that has all changed for the Beauty Spot is coming to Carlow. I am super excited about this. I'm sure you are wondering about the details so here they are...

THE BEAUTY SPOT LIVE - THE ULTIMATE PAMPER PARTY. 

Join us for a FREE night of Beauty, Fashion & Fun with Friends.

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY EVE - NO COVER CHARGE

Visiting 14 of the country’s hottest hang-outs with the Ultimate Pamper Party and girls night out!

+ Free makeovers, upstyles & advice from Beauty Spot make up & hair experts at the NYC Beauty Bar. 

+ Free Nail Bar

+ Free Hair Advice & Styling Bar

+ Quirky Pop-up shops for you to check out.

+ Summer soundtrack from our Beauty Spot DJs. 

+ Full Bar

+ No Cover Charge.

Our beauty bars will offer complementary makeovers, advice and goodies at the Ultimate Pamper Party.

The Beauty Spot Live will be one of the more refreshing events of the Summer!

Each date will also be filmed for our online TV Channel, Stylenation.ie. Photographers will also be on hand to capture the action for you to share later through your preferred social network.

Supported by

EVE - Add some sparkle to your evening with EVE.

NYC COSMETICS

So pretty much it is shopping, pampering and a night out all rolled into one! So I would advise you to slip on your favourite heels and pop down to the Barracks on Friday, 26th of August. 

Sure it's free in... ya might as well.

RSVP here.

Image via we heart it

The skirt that blood, sweat and tears built...

I made this skirt with my mother over a couple of days... It was all going smoothly until we needed to do the waistband, for some reason I could not spin it up on the sewing machine correctly. We must have done it about three times until we gave up and I let my mum do it. Then we had to put the zip in. We couldn't find the zip we bought, anywhere! So the next day we bought another zip. So after the zip was in and we hemmed it up and ironed it smooth and all that I went (gleefully) to try it on. Twas about three inches too big! Which confused us because we measured it correctly and I don't remember losing three inches off my waist in the past two weeks (if I have, yay!) I was not qualified to take the skirt correctly, regular sewing I was grand at but neither my mum or I trusted me to correct the mistake without ruining the skirt. So mum went back at the sewing machine, ripping out my good (in my opinion) sewing and re sewed it... After that I tried it on again. It was now too tight. I was thinking sure maybe I could live with it but mum took it off me again, ripped out the zip and then sewed it back on with a centimeter extra. 

Put it on...

Perfect.

Top/Heels: Penneys

Skirt: Homemade (material: Threads of Green)

Rings: Gifts

oh boy...

If I had the money these would be in my wardrobe... They cost around €130 each and are made to order, so they would fit you like a glove! They are from an etsy shop called Dig for Victory, a British shop (so you won't get nailed with taxes). The shop creates limited edition dresses from vintage fabrics. So they are made to fit you and are made from excellent material. Yum!

I'd say if more people knew about them they would be snapped up quickly! Why wouldn't they, not only are these dresses stunning and highly flattering but considering they are made to order they are quite cheap. Many people would pay that kind of money for similar dresses or some evening dress for a big occasion. Imagine wearing one of these to a wedding, all eyes would be on you... the bride would be pissed!

If you like, have the cash and need a dress for some big event then go get one! And then tell me all about it! 

Would make me dead jealous...

Cannot help but strut...

You don't need a mini skirt to be stared at, you don't need a low cut top to catch their attention. All a girl needs in her wardrobe is that figure hugging pencil skirt. Teamed with some simple high heels to give your pins that extra va va voom.

For me the pencil skirt is the perfect skirt for day to night. It surprises me how many women think that this brilliant skirt is old fashioned or worse yet, are afraid of it. But worn right I believe you can be respected (and envied) at work, have them eating out of the palms of your hands at night and by no means feel frumpy. The secret is the fit, in my opinion at least. You want one that hugs your curves but comes just below the knee. Sexy but still respectable...

Asos have some amazing pencil skirts at the moment.

The pencil skirt is my skirt of choice for this autumn/winter, it has a great way of making me feel all woman rather than just being ladylike. Just slip on a pencil skirt and watch them watch you walk away!

All girls should feel desirable...

Images via we heart it and asos

Shiny yellowness...

I think I may be in love with this teeny bag of loveliness. I bought on Etsy about two weeks ago and was so excited to receive it. When it arrived I realised it was more beautiful in real life and my heart sore. It is vintage of course, the buyer wasn't too sure of the exact age, she guessed that it is from the seventies. I think it could easily be of the sixties era. Either way I love it, and was so impressed at the condition considering its age. And the yellow is so strong, so vibrant, not dull like I was worried it would be.

I bought it to go with my sailor dress for my night out in Dublin with the boyfriend, tis a special occasion. But I've already used it (Forever 21 media morning) and I am planning on using it again tonight when I head out for a couple of drinks for a friend's birthday. I have a feeling it is gonna become a staple piece in my wardrobe...

Filling those filing cabinets...

The new stock in New Look has a lovely autumnal vibe with its muted jeweled shades and vintage style accessories... Going out for midweek cocktails with the girls? I'm thinking tea dress, patent t-bars and an eye-catching clutch. Almost like a cute secretary, with a shorter skirt. All you have to do is add the rose stained lips, the loose bun and that smouldering stare.

Don't forget to have one for me!