bonzie creations...

Sometimes when you're in a small country like Ireland you assume you have to travel far to find something beautiful and unique yet still affordable when it comes to fashion, often across the pond. When I was younger I certainly thought that was the case. Every town had the same shops (Cork and Dublin had exotic shops like Miss Selfridge and Topshop). And then if you considered the idea of designer pieces you would shudder at the cost. (When I was a teenager we only had Elaine Curtis in Carlow which was and still is a beauty of a shop but always just out of my price range.)

But as I've gotten older and through the blog I have discovered some wonderful vintage shops and designer boutiques that are full of unusual and simply stunning pieces. One of these places just happens to be Bonzie Boutique in Waterford, ran by the delightful and talented Yvonne Crotty. Her pieces are truly one of a kind, magically and sure to make a statement. They have a whimsical style that sings victorian gothic wrapped up in a soft bohemia. At the moment, she really is my go-to person for pressies for my friends and family. She is constantly whipping up new pieces for you to drool over and if you want something made bespoke she is more than happy to do it! What's nice to know is that her prices are quite affordable depending on what you get. Hairbands and fascinators are between €18 – €30 and statement necklaces (and they really do make a statement) can range between €55 – €120. She also designs hats, skirts, epaulets, gloves, pantaloons, corsets, coats, jackets and bridal wear. And from time to time she has been known to dabble in customised Converse and handbags. There really is something for every price bracket and it is lovely to know that something you are wearing has been lovingly made by hand (it makes the more expensive items totally worth it in my opinion).

So if you're looking for a gift that is for someone special, have a special occasion coming up or simply want to spoil yourself at the end of January why not keep it Irish...

I must stress that I was not asked to write a post or anything like that, I just really like her stuff and wanted to share :)

smart...

I was asked recently to have a look at this website called Smart Buy Glasses that sells designer sunglasses and prescription glasses. Now, I love to look at designer but it is always in vain because as a recently “used-to-be-student” currently living off very little I always get quite depressed at looking at such heavenly items. I even get distressed seeing designer gear on fellow, more successful, bloggers. It’s all quite sad really. But once I went on the site I noticed that they were indeed designer but for just a little bit less. Not loads less like you see on some serious knock-off websites but just enough that you would be tempted to spend next week’s wage packet on something (if your weeks wage packet is €100-€170. At the moment mine is sadly less). And tempted I was. Even for someone who tends to stick to one pair of shades at a time. I was even tempted by the prescription wear. But alas! I don’t need them. Damn this 20/20 vision of mine…

I was really astounded by the amount of stock I could choose from. It seemed endless! I didn’t realize this amount of sunglasses/glasses actually existed… From Tom Ford sunglasses to the every cool Raybans and everything in between. Gucci, Prada, Bvlgari, Police, YSL, D&G and so on and so forth… I wasn’t exaggerating when I said it seemed endless. And then they had a serious amount styles. There was definitely one for everyone, from wayfarer sunglasses (my personal favourite of course) to aviators and over-sized. There was really LOADS to choose from. Maybe even too much (he he). 

Best of all they are so pretty! And as we all know pretty is very important when it comes to these sort of matters.

Here are my top three… Drum Roll Please!

Gucci

Tom Ford

Rayban

So there you have it! Sunglasses and prescription frames that are pretty, designer and a little bit cheaper than the average bear (I mean pair- excuse that please!) 

atelier...

H&M launched their Versace collection in Ireland this week but I have been drooling over the Versace Atelier autumn/winter 2011 collection instead. The elegance and extravagance of it all! It has the essence of the original Versace style (the bold patterns, the vibrant, punchy colours) but I also feel it is very grown up, very demure, very alluring, very luxurious. And of course very quirky! Which is always a good thing. Elegance and quirkiness always make beautiful babies together. 

They should carry on making babies...

Every piece from this collection is like a work of art. Exquisite and divine. Stunning from every angle. I especially love the amazing pink number. Talk about eye catching! Why weren't these in H&M?

silver factory...

So Wednesday night was the launch of the Silver Factory's new autumn/winter collection... I was delighted to have been invited but was devastated that college had to come first (boo fourth year!) Anyway... since the collection was launched I thought I'd have a little mosey on over to the website to see how the brand spanking new collection looked. And, of course, it was all gorgeous (no surprise there). The tshirts he creates are just so... well, perfect (for want of a better word). They work brilliantly on both genders, the designs are works of art, they aren't too expensive (discount on their facebook page) that you fear ripping them to make them work for you, and they are monochrome! (Who doesn't love monochrome?!) What more could ask for?

But I think the best thing about them is their practicality, a horrible word I agree. But think about it, anyone of these tshirts would make any humdrum skinnys suddenly hip. Living in the busy world that is  college life (with projects and thesis and all that other shtuff!) these tshirts are simply a god send to the fashion conscious student that has slept in... yet again!

My favourite? Well it would have to be the The End one, oh how I want it!

Young master Cavaliere you've done it again, here's hoping that many more seasons will follow...