cold days & cold nights...

We may not have snow but it is certainly nippy out there! This morning while filling up the car with petrol my hands nearly cracked under the pressure. The sheer coldness. They actually hurt for awhile after... I find when there is no frost or snow you are lulled into a false sense of security that you won't need to cover up completely. Don't fall for the trap like my poor hands did this morning!

I find it is a struggle at times to dress well and dress warm. Layering isn't the best look for me (not good to add bulk to these bosoms) and I don't want to sacrifice either warmth or style. This is merely one of my many attempts. Vests under a lace top, long maxi skirt (like a blanket that you wear) and socks over tights with ankle boots. And then of course the chunkiest coat and scarf I could get my hands on! I do love this coat. Got it back in spring at the Shutterbug Kilo Sale and it is simply the bees knees! It's a lovely casual fit, has beautiful simple details, in great condition and 100% wool. Not too shabby for €30.

How are you guys keeping toasty this winter? Layers? Thermal long johns? Hot whiskeys? Do tell..

Top/Boots: Dunnes

Skirt: Warehouse

Necklace/Coat: Shutterbug

Scarf: River Island

Watch: Citizen

cosy cosy...

I'm beginning to indulge in more wooly items... Not buying any (don't be silly) but stealing from my mum's wardrobe and getting her to knit me cosy jumpers. I'll have to show you them, they are quite lovely and super duper warm! This cardigan is my mums, but is a bit big on me (as it is on her) and I think a purchase will need to be made so that I don't feel swamped all the time. Shame, because the cardigan is so lovely! And this woolen dress is a bit of an oldie, bought a few springs ago. Has kinda of an annoying cut on the bottom. If I'm not careful it goes up in the middle and down at the sides. Grrr!

I'm eyeing up some more lovely tea dresses at the moment (damn Modcloth!). I recently got sorted in the pants department and now I am making my way over to the dress side of things. I needed more trousers but I do not need more dresses, however, I do WANT more... One or two more casual dresses and I think I'll be sorted for the coming months. 

Cardigan: M&S

Dress: Oasis

Tights/Belt: Penneys

Boots: Office

Watch: Citizen

woolen tales...

There is a definite chill in the air today. It's become that time of year again when you see the sun shining and you think that the weather will be 'crisp' rather than 'balmy'. Oh my friends there is indeed a change in the air. Thank God! I was growing beyond bored of my summer wardrobe (what little there is of it). However, even though I am glad to potentially see the back of my summer attire for a good few months, I feel that I am unprepared for the next season. I have not been shopping due to a serious lack of funds, so I am seeing what I can make fresh and new from the last few seasons. And of course stick to what I know best... 'Librarian chic' is always a winner in my eyes for these autumnal months. Knitted, buttoned up cardigans, cutesy loafers and tapered trousers in a rich colours (I picked plum this time). Oh and a trusty scarf (which can also double as a blanket) just in case! 

Autumn, I'm ready! Sort of...

PS: Look at me being all brave and outside. My neighbour thought something weird was going on (more crazies taking pictures on tripods!) and came out to investigate but relaxed instantly when she saw it was simply little old me. Nice to know my neighbours don't seem to bat an eyelid at me photographing the bejaysus out of myself. Makes life a little easier.

Scarf: Forever 21

Cardigan: Dunnes Stores

Jeans/Trousers: New Look

Loafers: Red or Dead

the slight change...

I know that for the past few days it's been lovely and warm. But I have noticed once the sun goes down or just when I've woken up it becomes a tad chilly. Chilly enough for me to require a slight wardrobe change by seven/eight o'clock. In my opinion you can definitely tell that autumn is here (not in a full blast of cold wind and swirling leaves but he's making his presence known- and yes autumn is a dude!) Like spring, autumn is a transitional period and can sometimes be tricky. I know it is for me at times. You are dying to burst into your new season of clothing but it's too soon, the world is simply not ready yet. So I decided to browse through the archives of The Sartorialist to see what those ever so stylish ladies of the world do when it's kinda chilly but still kinda warm. 

It seems the trick is balance (who would have guessed that). Wearing closed toe shoes and baring your ankles in rolled up jeans. Pairing a coat with a mini dress and ankle boots. Dark, muted colours and bare skin. Taking the best bits of both worlds and banging them together until they make something wearable. Problem is this could go horrible wrong. Worth a shot though since my toes are FREEZING!

But I don't think it's time for scarves just yet...

Has the cold weather snook up on you or are you still embracing the summer?

utility...

I don't know if any of you are the same but my fella is a proper outdoorsy type. He loves all kinds of sports and activities which usually cause difficulty in the wardrobe department because my clothes are horribly impractical!  Now don't get me wrong I am actually enjoying these excursions but I just feel so wrong in my trackies and cross trainers (which seems to be my only option). So I have come to a (very mature) decision to start buying more suitable attire for such activities. I need to get more utilitarian pieces that will be comfortable, warm and sturdy without making me feel completely out of place. See the great thing is for most of it I don't need specific clothing just things that are tough and comfortable. But of course I still want to feel like me, quirky and stylish. To me this is clearly Docs, chunky knits, socks and proper jeans. No longer will I feel like a fish out of water and I can enjoy myself and the wonderful world that I am beginning to explore.

On a side note these excursions have shown me just how beautiful this country is. Don't do knocking this little isle of ours...

white flowers...

It seems the weather is going back to it's old ways. Grrr... I was getting used to not wearing tights. Oh well! At least I am wearing a spring dress plus it is made of wool so I ain't all that cold and I feel very pretty. I also get to look at this beautiful blossom tree in my front garden. So white that it actually glows at night. Though those damn petals go everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE!

I haven't shown you these shoes yet. They were my birthday present from my parents and they are adorable! Who can't adore love heart loafers!? And they were on sale... even better.

Dress: Oasis

Belt: Dunnes

Tights: Penneys

Locket: Gift

Loafers: Red or Dead

elementary...

Might have gotten carried away...

THIS is my new cape... Can you tell I love it?! My ever witty father keeps calling my Sherlock, but as long as I get a bubble pipe out of it I don't care. I love everything about it: the buckles, the sheepskin and the fact it also works as a blanket. But to be honest I am most grateful that I now have a coat that actually has a hood. Especially since the heavens decided to open up when I was on my way home. The rain seems to have a habit of showing up doesn't it.

So grateful I was indeed...

For the rest of the outfit I apparently went for a school girl look, which I didn't notice until I put the outfit together. And I am totally okay with this, seeing as it is a damn sight nicer that my old school uniform.

Cape: Dorothy Perkins

Shirt/Tights: Penneys

Skirt: Awear

Heels: New Look

Brooch: Gift

How are you all keeping warm this winter?

leather and wool...

Mondays are my lazy days... I don't have college so I attempt to do college work and thesis stuff. Every Monday I get up and I am all positive that I am gonna rock the day. Then I get started and I get bored, really quickly. I power through for awhile and then I give up and watch telly and surf the web for the rest of the day. Productive I know!

So my Monday outfits consist mainly of comfortable things, things that hang off me and keep me cosy, things such as this awesomely snug jumper and converse. I've actually been living in this jumper (even when it's not part of my original outfit). It is really toasty, so I need not layer just yet. 

So in the morning I throw whatever I see on in hope that they work. Today I actually think this outfit works. But I could be wrong...

Jumper: Shutterbug

Leggings: Penneys

Converse: Littlewoods

Rings: Gifts and random jewellers

wish I was wearing #4

Jaysus there is a serious nip in the air! People are wearing gloves and hats and all that jazz. I'm sitting here working away with the heating on. Last week that would have been unspeakable. Luckily, I love when the weather gets cold. You get the chance to pair things that you normally wouldn't with the wonderful excuse "sure it was freezin' and I had nothing else!"

Cable knit sweaters, soft scarves and chunky brogues (with socks of course) are all necessary staples I need for the next few days (or weeks, probably months). And then all I need (want) is a big dose of colour! I think that would keep me happy and warm.

winning...

See! So happy I'm even smiling

Well you'll never guess what happened this week... I've only just gone and won a SILVER FACTORY tshirt!!! Can you smell the excitement? I think so. I could be possibly too excited, is it possible to be too excited?

Anyway, I entered a competition awhile back on a brilliant blog known as the Licentiate and by random, marvelous luck this beautiful skull tshirt suddenly belonged to me. Sarah from the Licentiate confessed she was a little more than tempted to say it got lost in the post. I am so happy she did not.

Cheers for not keeping it to yourself though I can honestly understand why you would.

The great thing about this top (apart from the amazing print) is the sheer size of it. It's HUGE! Now I know you could get smaller ones but why would you. This tshirt demands excess. It demands to be draped over you not stuck to you. It demands to billow in the wind along with your curls (which happened to me already today). It demands to hang elegantly off your shoulders like the work of art that it is.

Plus it's dead comfy when it's big and baggy.

Thank you to the Licentiate for holding the competition, thank you Shutterbug for stocking such beautiful tshirts and thank you Silver Factory for creating them.

Top: Silver Factory (via Shutterbug)

Treggings: Dorothy Perkins

Converse: Littlewoods

Turqouise ring: Shutterbug

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...

Tweed and beads...

Seriously don't know what to do with this weather, one day the sun is splitting the stones the next it is doing that awful drizzle thing that our weather evidently loves to do. Still I'm keeping my legs bare for as long as possible, eventually my love for tights will come back and I shall raid Penneys for them before I head back to college.

This skirt is also a recent "college" purchase. I don't know if anyone else does this but I often feel I've to pick stuff up for when I head back to college, almost like going to buy your new school shoes and shirts and the likes. I thought this would be a great winter skirt with chunky tights and loafers. Looking all studious (in a fifties sort of way).

The necklace was a gift from Forever 21 from yesterdays media morning. Thank you! Tis loverly, nice and chunky... and sometimes noisy. 

Don't forget to enter my Forever 21 competition, tis ending tomorrow.

Top/Heels: Penneys

Skirt: River Island

Belt: off a Monsoon dress

Necklace: Forever 21

Feeling the vibes...

River Island have launched their look book for their Autumn/Winter collection. I do have to say it is quite fetching. There seems to be a blend of chunky ethnicity, tailored sophistication with a good bit of sexy glamour to finish of the looks perfectly. The colour schemes are strong but not in your face, vibrant tones of seemingly dull colours. Layering of various fabrics and textures seems to be key to this look, fur with silk, chiffon with tweed, wool with em more wool. Throw stuff together and see what you get, a great plan!

All in all I like this collection, it looks fun but still a tad sophisticated. The images here are just a handful of the looks they have created. See the rest on the River Island website. Already looking forward to Autumn...

If Santa really loved me #3

Our next blogger wants not only the gift style, poise and elegance but she also wants the Chanel 2.55 bag as well! It could only be the whimsical Blau von T from Blaubushka (if you haven't seen her blog you should... tis fabulous!)

Like Blanaid she also feels a little speech would persuade Santa, bringing up Ms Chanel since we all know he had a soft spot for her (who doesn't?)

"For Santa you see this piece of quilted perfection is all a lady needs to look refined, groomed and to elope with royalty (just the way Coco would want me to!)"

She wants it so much she even made a collage!

Wake and feel the chill...

Was out braving the cold now that the big thaw is on... Went to Kilkenny with my mam for some festive shopping! And then shoveled rock hard ice off my drive way (that was unbelievably hard).

While doing all that I decided to sport some granny chic with my brogues, chunky knits, herringbone tights, tartan coat (not wearing it here- obviously) and big rings! Also there is nothing warmer than a massive skirt! I have been living in this skirt since I got it, my favourite thing about it is when I sit down there is just so much material...

I like lots of material.

Hope everyone is feeling warm and festive!

Scarf/ Top: Penneys

Skirt: Warehouse

Brogues: Office

Tights: Oasis

Rings: Gifts