Cork Independent | So Last Season

Here's a link to last week's column in The Cork Independent in case you missed it.  Just a little guide to the tricky matter of smart casual dressing.




Cork Independent | So Last Season

The Liebster Awards-Nomination

In the words of Britney Spears I'd like to thank my mom, my manager and God for this award....
Ok so Britney might not have said those exact words when accepting a Grammy but I'm pretty darn chuffed that fellow blogger Sophia from The Petite Belle has nominated me for a Liebster Award. Here's a link to her awesome blog, The Petite Belle I strongly recommend checking it out with a hot cuppa and a few choccy biscuits.  So what is a Liebster Award?! It's a cool online award where bloggers get to nominate fellow bloggers and is a great way to discover new blogs that you might not have heard of before.  

The rules for the Liebster Awards are as follows. When you receive an award:
1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Thank the blogger who presented this award and link back to their blog.
3. Answer the 11questions that the nominator has asked
4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award
5. Provide your 11 nominees with a list of questions you would like to know about them

The Petite Belle’s Questions Pour Moi:

1. When did you start your blog?

I've been blogging kind of on and off for the last two years but I've really made more of an effort the last year when Cathy from Turqouise Flamingo worked on my logo and set up my newly revamped blog for me.  

2. What is your favourite topic to blog about?

For me it's all about the schtyle!! I also like to share photoshoots and events that I've styled on the blog.  

3. What is your LEAST favourite thing about blogging?

 I definitely think finding the time to blog is my least favourite thing about blogging.  I love blogging but work and life more often than not mean that putting up a blog post takes a back seat.  I'm definitely going to be more organised now and schedule in proper time to do my blog posts.  

4. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 items would you bring and why?

My girl gang for the lols (sorry Rob!), an endless supply of Margaritas and my phone for the #desertisland selfies.

5. If you had your last €10 to spend, knowing you would never have any more money again, what would you buy?

I'd go have brunch in Orso or Liberty Grill.  

6. What make-up product could you not live without?

I'm pretty boring when it comes to make-up but I think a red lip instantly adds something to even the most basic of outfits.  My fav is from Topshop and they also do a great cream blush.  

7. What is your biggest regret?

Ok this is beyond random but I still think about it to this day!  When I was in 6th class we were preparing songs to sing at the confirmation etc and the teacher asked me to sing in the group for the best singers who would sing harmonies etc. I wanted to be all cool so I said no.  I always think I should have just said yes as ironically I can't sing at all now so who knows I might have kept up singing and still be able to hold a note. Lol! It was a lesson learned though as I always push myself to do things that scare and challenge me.

8. What is your favourite high street store?

That's like asking me to pick a favourite child, we all know parents have one but their name must never dare be said out loud!

9. Which blogger do you find the most inspiring?

The eleven bloggers I've nominated are pretty darn inspiring. 

10.  What is your favourite food?

I'm a complete savoury addict, I love chips and crisps.  

11. What quotes or mantras do you live by?

It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice!!  I also totally believe in karma.  

My Nominations

This was super hard to pick just 11 but thems is the rules I'm afraid.  And the award goes to.....

1. Turquoise Flamingo
2. A Stitch in Style
3. 4ngstyle
4. The Petite Belle
5. Glamity Jane
6. The Beaut Mum
7. Orla's Oasis
8. Diary of a Style Hunter
9. Blog Yo Togs
10. Make Me Up Ireland
11. Shell La Belle

Fashion Stylists Questions

1. What made you start a blog?

2. How did you come up with your blog name?

3. What's your can't live without item of clothing?

4. What outfit makes you look in the mirror and think "girl, you are looking damn good today"?

5. What are your top blogging tips?

6. Do you have a pet?

7. What do you like to do outside of blogging?

8. What's your turn up the radio song?

9. What's the last book you read?

10. What's your proudest achievement?

11. What's your most cringe moment?

Well there you have it ladies.  Now it's your turn so follow all the rules at the start of the blog post and make sure you let your nominees know that you nominated them.  And go!

Cork Independent | So Last Season

Here's a link to this week's column in The Cork Independent where I chat about what the menfolk should wear to a wedding.

Cork Independent | So Last Season

Cork Independent | White is right

Cork Independent | White is right

Check out my weekly column in The Cork Independent.  This week I discuss how to wear white, keeping it clean is your own responsibility!

Prevention is better than cure....

Being in my early thirties I decided it was time I started to think about the dreaded W...yes folks wrinkles.  Now I have to say I don't have a huge amount of them but I had noticed recently that I was beginning to get some fine lines and one or two pretty deep ones under my eyes and along my forehead which I chalked down to not enough sleep and to having a pretty mean looking bitchy resting face.  I also had never really used a day cream with SPF in it and had deluded myself that because I'm not a sunworshipper I was probably not getting any sun damage.  I had heard on the grapevine about a new skincare range from Bootscalled Early Defence that acted more as prevention than cure for wrinkels so being a slave to my Boots card I popped into the lovely folks in Boots in Douglas to have a consultation.

I had my consultation with Vicki who told me all about the new range which is aimed at the 20 - 35 age bracket and I of course felt secretly delighted to be in this young category.

I started by using the day cream which has a five star UVA rating and an SPF of 15 and smelled delightfully of mulberry but wasn't overpowering.  What I also loved that it acts as a primer and reacts to the oil levels in your skin so for someone with oily patches like myself it proved to be non pore clogging.  It's priced at 24.95 which is pretty good for a decent moisturiser.

I also started using the night cream which again was priced at 24.95 and also had a light texture so I didn't go to bed with that horrible oily face feeling that you can get from some night creams.  As my under eyes are my main wrinkly area (damn my wonderfully expressive eyes) I also used the eye cream which is 17.50.  It contains Vitamin A and is meant to be great for preventing those fine lines.

I've been using these three products for the last month and I have to say obviously my lines haven't disappeared, lets be realistic here but I have noticed a definite softening of the lines and I haven't gotten any new ones to add to the collection.  My under eyes are looking less puffy and I feel like the dark shadows under my eyes have lessened.  Mainly I feel like my skin over all looks fresher and on a good day I can definitely fake that I've gotten a good eight hours sleep.
As the # for the product goes #slowmoyourskin and I definitely feel this product can help you do that.  If you're in your 20's or early 30's I would give this a go, it's never too late to slow mo your skin!!

Oh Baby! Interview with Dolly Dowsie

Here's a recent interview I did for the Spring edition of Oh Baby magazine with blogger Fiona from Dolly Dowsie.  Enjoy!!

Denim A Spring/Summer Update

Denim, does it ever really go out of style?  It's the one thing you're guaranteed to wear throughout the year but this season it's totally at the forefront of fashion. This season denim is not just reserved for jeans you'll find it in everything from skirts, shirts to dungarees and dresses.  I've been wearing these Mom fit jeans I picked up in H&M in Barcelona to death, they are so comfy and go with absolutely everything.  I just threw on my bright pink GAP jacket in this pic to keep myself warm while adding a pop of colour.  You may notice my dog Sadie was trying to get in on the selfie action.

Here's a few more of my favourite denim looks to inspire your Summer denim dressing.

This is a look I styled for a fashion show recently, I love the crisp white jeans paired with this River Island jacket.

Dungarees, chiffon blouse and a classic trench is such perfection. Trust Alexa to come up with this outfit.

Absolute outfit swoon, Olivia Palermo does double denim to perfection.

This street styler makes denim cutoffs look super grown up.

I adore this combination of leopard print and denim.

This look from eatsleepdenim.com is too cute!!

From the laid back super cute dungarees to the sleek double denim and leopard print there really is something for everyone no matter what your street style.