Get Your Sparkle On

J’adore a little bit of sparkle in my outfit and we all know accessories are a perfect way to add some bling so I was super excited when I popped into Vivienne in The Dress Bar the other day and saw her amazing new range of accessories. The Dress Bar is owned by the uber stylish Vivienne McCarthy who along with the gorge Emer is director of my favourite model agency Lockdown

Here are my top stylist picks from the collection:

Group shot of these neck candy beauts.

These sparklers will set off any outfit.

Possibly my favourite neckpiece ever.

I’ve worn my leopard cuff nearly every day since I’ve gotten it. It even looks cool with a casual jeans and blazer look.

Doing some ring modelling.

Need this, very Great Gatsby!

Every glitzy dress needs a sparkly clutch pal.

 I hear they also have just had a statement earring drop to the store so make sure you pop in and check that out.  These accessories are so perfect with all the amazing dresses available to rent or buy in The Dress Bar and Vivienne will help style up your outfit for any occasion.

Karora…A Spray Tan Review

I was recently invited by The Salon Shop to come have a Karora spray tan done so of course I was only too happy to oblige.  While I always wear fake tan I had only ever twice before had a spray tan. Once from an automatic booth which was all the rage back in 2001 and once from an actual person.  I’ve become a rather dab hand at bronzing my own bod but of course its always so much easier getting someone else to do it. I find I need to call on my yoga training and contortionist skills (of which I have none) to get my back fully mahog!!

The Salon Shop, where beauty dreams come true.

I began my prep three days before hand with plenty of rigorous scrubbing in an attempt to get rid of the fake tan I was already wearing. My body seems to be extra absorbent because this layer of tan was not budging. Numerous scalding showers later and I was (almost) tan free.  Off I headed to the Salon Shop where the lovely Georgina talked me through the Karora range.

The Karora Range

Karora is an Irish brand which uses organic ingredients which claim to have an age fighting, skin firming and cellulite smoothing formula.  Anyway I wasn’t really interested in all that I was more interested in being brown as a berry.  I loved that it literally took minutes to spray my whole body whereas at home I’d be at it for a good half hour and I was practically dry instantly.  Off home I went and got straight into the pjs to let it take effect. While the boyf complained I felt sticky he liked that I didn’t have my usual fake tan aroma of curry and biscuits wafting around the room.  I actually smelt very pleasant.

Tanspiration

The next morning I had a quick shower and what I noticed first was how lovely and soft my skin felt.  I loved how the tan came out on my face and upper body but I could have been a bit darker on my legs. Now it probably was the correct colour for my skin tone which is of the mottled corned beef variety but I always give my legs an extra coating when I’m self tanning. I had a wedding that weekend and it was such a time saver getting my spray tan done before hand.  My tan stayed perfectly even for around five days and only started to fade on the sixth which I was delighted with.

Mahoggers and a cringey selfie

Myself and Miss Opera Lane Elizabeth Barrett, also looking tanned. I’m not wearing foundation in this pic, just my tan.

I would definitely like to try the Karora self tanning range at home and with eight weddings coming up this year I’ll definitely be getting a couple of spray tans.

For Karora stockists please contact The Salon Shop directly.

Gelish Nails - My New Beauty Addiction

I’m a self confessed nail biter so my nails are always in a pitiful state. It’s a trait which repulses the boyf so he was more than delighted when I was invited to try out the Salon Shop s new Gelish Nails. Having recently moved premises to the Kinsale Road Business Park they will be having a two day event full of creativity and inspiration with industry experts which will also see the launch of the Gelish range. Sunday April 28th and Monday 29th will see the Salon Shop hosting shows by award winning stylists Wayne LLoyd and Simon Shaw, two experts whose talents are well worth seeing.

So many colours to choose from!!

With the recent obsession for all things polish related I must be the only person on the planet who has never had a nail treatment so it was with excitement and a  slight nervousness that I set off to the Salon Shop.  I needn’t have worried as the lovely Georgina with her amazing product knowledge put my mind at ease (I don’t know what disaster I was expecting to happen!!). The hardest part was picking a colour but when I spotted Georgina’s bright pink nails I knew they were the ones for me. They’re part of the neon range and actually glow under UV light….bonus!! 

Having never had a nail treatment before I was expecting to be sat there for an hour but the whole thing from start to finish took around 25mins but the time flew as we nattered away.

My new nails, hot pink dream.

I would definitely recommend this to someone like me who is crap at applying nail polish and always gets jealous of everyone else’s  glossy nails. Gelish also contains carotene so you’re nails are strengthened. What’s not to love?!

Neon,leopard print, turquoise my three fav things.

For details of stockists please contact The Salon Shop directly at The Salon Shop.

MG Exclusive

Being a complete handbag addict imagine my delight when I came across this gem, a new online store specialising in nothing but glorious accessories. Better still this treasure trove of shoes and handbags is based in Cork.  http://www.mgexclusive.com/ is the brainchild of Therese and Samantha, friends since school and with a shared love of all things fashion. I was lucky enough to catch up with them recently and was struck by how totally passionate they are about their range of shoes and handbags and also how hard working they are. Therese works as a primary school teacher and Samantha as a fund accountant so they meet up in the evening to work on the site, that’s dedication for you.

Gold studs on royal blue, what’s not to love.

The girls while doing their market research found that while Ireland had many great clothing websites a gap existed for a site dedicated solely to accessories and thus MG Exclusive was born.  Bright, vivid, stylish statement pieces form this cohesive collection and all at an unbelievably reasonable price point. They even cater for women with a size 2 foot and I know from personal shopping with clients that finding stylish shoes for a small foot can be a nightmare.

My favourite piece from the collection.

While they only deliver within Ireland and the UK at the moment I’m sure it wont be long before MG Exclusive goes global.

Here are the girls favourite pieces from the site:

Therese’s stylish pick. Perfect for work or play.

Samantha’s pick, the lush giraffe print heels.A total statement piece.

Both gals love this pink ankle bootie, I’m told the grip can be crucial on a night out.

To celebrate the launch of their site the girls have given me an amazing handbag to give away on my Facebook page. Just head over to Fashion Stylists for more details.

Coachella 2013

As I sit here writing this I’m pretty sure I’m going to wake up with the flu tomorrow having gotten absolutely soaked walking home from work. More fool me for thinking that a sunny morning meant a dry and bright evening and so off I trotted this morning in some flimsy pumps which essentially meant I might aswell have walked home barefoot. So you can imagine how completely envious I am of anyone who happened to be at Coachella at the weekend. Here’s some festival inspiration for when our sunny days finally get here.

A regular on the Coachella scene is Kate Bosworth, I adore her sheer black dress and that waistcoat is to die for.  Unfortunately while she looks amazing in the white laser cut two piece it’s probably best to leave this look to the A listers who won’t be subjected to gross portaloos.

 Here’s what my favourite Knowles does best, Solange is absolutely queen of pattern and print. I need that skirt like right now!!

Another Coachella veteran, Diane always looks festival chic. This look is totally achievable on the high street, all I need now is some amazingly toned pins.

 Every wondered what a Victoria’s Secret Angel would look like at a festival? Here’s the answer, Allasandra Ambrosio looks seriously hot in her laid back chic look. Something tells me she didn’t spend a night in a tent.

One of my favourite singers Santigold playing at the H&M Loves Music party.

Here’s my top three essentials for all you festival goers:

These boots from River Island are my top choice of footwear, wellies schmellies!!

This  shearling coat from River Island will keep you cosy during the chilly night while giving a nod to the neon trend. The festival gods will approve.

Love, love, love this crop top from New Look, wear with some high waist denim shorts if your tum is less than perfect.

 Here’s some festival styling I did recently with Lockdown Models for the launch of Indiependence Music Festival. Rebecca O, Nicola and Cailin look amazing in outfits from River island and New Look and it made me super excited for the actual festival which takes place on the 2nd of August in Mitchelstown.

Well it may be lashing outside but I’m totally festival inspired, roll on the Summer, I’ll even take the Spring at this stage.

Folkster...New Fav Online Shop

Every now and again I get completely obsessed with an online shop and spend far too many hours browsing through their site and imagining myself in all sorts of wonderful outfits worthy of being street style spotted (the holy grail for fash types;)). Folkster is one such store that’s got me in a tizz at the moment. Folkster is the online store for the Kilkenny based vintage store Shutterbug. Their posts of gorgeous stock on the Facebook page makes me immediately want to make the trek from Cork.  Here’s a few of the items I’m needing in my life at the mo!

I actually own this turban. Add a glitzy brooch to make it even more jazzy.

I’ve had my eye on this bad boy for an absolute age.

Another reason I love this site so much is my complete addiction to statement jackets, feast your eyes on these gems.

Fringing….that is all.

This is one of my favourite jackets ever. It shall be mine someday.

Jacket by Ivory Jar, a great label on the site.

It’s easy to see why I’m loving Folkster, folks.

P.S. Please don’t take this as a thinly veiled birthday wishlist even though I do have a pretty big birthday coming up in like twelve days.