the oscars...

We may no longer be in college together (or in the same county for that matter) but myself and Emma Kilduff have for I think our fourth year in a row inspected the fine actors and actresses of the Oscars ceremony and here are our top choices. Top girl and top guy... I know it's such a lazy post but since we all like to scour through them I thought we'd give our 2 cents (4 cents?)

We both thought that this year had some serious contenders. It was really hard to choose but my top girl had to be Anne Hathaway. I doubt it'll be everybody's choice (Yahoo gave her a D+) but I think it was pretty, simple, chic and just a little bit daring. Like a mullet (business in the front and party in the back) but much nicer. Very different from anything else we saw on the red carpet, the pale pink really complimented her skin tone without looking too neutral. Plus she is just working that hair! Oh and the necklace is beautiful as well... Ok I'm done now. My top guy is of course Christoph Waltz. I am just loving the understated muted navy tuxedo on him. I am a sucker for a navy suit anyway so he definitely had the edge. Subtle and refined, perfect match for his wife me thinks!

Now, through the voice of Emma... 

Jennifer Aniston's dress is normally everything I hate about these kind of gowns, its massive and plain but some how that's what makes me love it on her. She knows what suits her and sticks to it, this dress is no exception it's just gone up a gear. The simple strapless dress is a similar cut to some of the previous dresses Aniston has worn and it suits her perfectly. The skirt drapes beautifully and the colour is the perfect shade of red. All this combined with simple styling makes the perfect Jennifer Aniston look. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's suit is by far my favourite. The fit is perfect and the little details like the lapel trims add some personality. This with the dicky bow, pink button and his charm make this my perfect suit.

And of course we couldn't be complete without a gawk at the after party dresses. Some people had a lot of fun here! My favourite is Amy Adams in this sultry Gatsby-esque gown. Chic but still a little offbeat. Not necessarily neutral but not garish either (which sparkly dresses can sometimes be – and some of them were). Thrilled she kept accessorising and styling to a minimum. Pure understated elegance. AND it's an Oscar de la Renta, a real weakness of mine.

Again through the voice of Emma....

Diane Kruger's after party dress is GORGEOUS!! This monochrome, well I'm not sure what to call it, baby doll dress?? has an interesting silhouette and great print. It's just very different and I love it. (Im not a big fan of the shoes, but I can ignore them cause I love the dress so much) The hairstyle and jewellery set this outfit off perfectly.

Do you agree with us? What outfits did you love/loathe? Do you think they were better than last year? Please weigh in and join the debate!

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 :)

put there together just like a collage...

I am slowly (but surely) working my way through issue two of FELT. My real work has taken it's toll and FELT has slowed down. But it has certainly not stopped. Hopefully some of you are thankful of this. Anyway, I have been searching for inspiration for the final section of the magazine which is all about icons of the everyday. I thought a mish-mash collage style would suit the idea perfectly but as some of you know when you set out to make a collage it can become contrived and no longer organic. I want this article to have a certain sleek element to it but I do not want to lose the vibrance you get from a homemade collage.

I have been collecting images from the great world of Pinterest (what a brilliant site for such things) to help cement the look and feel I want my imagery to have. As you can see they are all quite different but all suck you in and make you look twice. This is the vibe I want the imagery in the editorial to have because (in my opinion) that is what the article is all about. And since FELT is a fashion journal I thought the best thing to do was to include outfits of our home-grown bloggers within the collages. Let's just hope that this will work out... Please.

easy days...

This is an example of the type of outfit I felt wasn't appropriate for the fashion world... But it's an easy crisp Saturday and I feel like chilling out in something cosy and casual. I enjoy these kinds of days, where scarves are needed, comfort food is wanted and people light their fires so there is a smokey smell in the air. On days like these you just have to have the best food. I indulged in homemade tomato soup for lunch a cheesy baked potato for supper (it was gooooood). 

Sometimes simple is better... and less is more

Top: Oasis

Cardigan: Dunnes

Jeans/ Bag: Awear

Boots: Office

Scarf: Vintage

inspired by...

Pinterest

Pinterest

Delightfully Tacky

Pinterest

Google

Well it's been one of those weeks where I feel like I've achieved nothing but I am okay about it. It's my last week off before I start work and it'll be a long time before I can lounge about again. Anyway, all this lounging about has lead to me feeling inspired about many things...

The weather has me wanting to walk in the autumn air and hear the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet (except on wet days like today). I feel like covering myself in wool and plaid and just going all country! My new job has me thinking about eventually moving out of my parents house and into a place of my own, this new home will be pale grey all over with colourful accents of red, yellow, babypink, blue and green. Even though I am miles away from a marriage of my own I can't help but indulge myself and let the mind wander when I see beautiful images online of weddings. I love the white heart tights and the little shoe boots, so unique. I have been browsing through vintage style typography for some work and I always love coming across some on shop fronts (makes me want to own a shop of my own)... Finally, ever since I had guacamole two weeks ago I have been dying to try avocado in something else. And since I looooove egg salad I thought that would be a fine place to start... I'll let you know how it goes.

What has been on your mind this week?

golden time...

My graduation is coming up soon and my parents wanted to get me something to celebrate the importance of the occasion (so sweet!). They knew I really wanted a new watch for some time now so last week my mama brought me down to our local jewellers and told me to pick out a watch of my choice (which was harder than expected). At first I had NO IDEA what she was up to and then I slowly copped on... 

The watch I chose was a Citizen, just like my papa apparently! She is a beauty ain't she?!? Gold tone with a mother of pearl face and Swarovski crystals around the edge... It's got a big face (which I love) and it has one of those easy closed bracelet style straps so I don't end up spending hours trying to put it on (more of a common occurrence than I'd like to admit). It's so beautiful that I am really petrified I am going to damage it but my boyfriend pointed out that watches are designed to take a few hard knocks so I am too relax. He's such a smart chap! 

Oh and they inscribed it 'Love Mum & Dad' which I think is simply beautiful. You'll be seeing this baby on me A LOT!

finding inspiration...

Remember a few posts ago I talked about how as a teenager I followed trends to fit in. In the past few weeks it has become a serious passion of mine to find my style. Something that speaks to me and shows me off to the world. Something that portrays my personality. I remember being told that I don't dress to match my personality. That I was a bubbly person but that my wardrobe was dark. Don't get me wrong I still LOVE black but I have been thinking about what I really like to wear as opposed to what I think people want to see me in. And by people I mean the fashion world at large, I will admit that there are times I love what I'm wearing but I feel it wouldn't be suited for the blog because it isn't cool enough. Which is silly really because the fashion blogging world can be so accepting of all styles, something I think the fashion industry is lacking in.

Anyway, I have been following a few American bloggers for awhile now and the more I look at their outfits the more I feel suited to them. Not only do I love how they look and what they say but I love how these outfits make me feel and I can see parts of me within these women and their style.

Delightfully Tacky is a super adorable blog by a super adorable girl called Elizabeth. She wears tea dresses and cardigans, vibrant yet muted tights and quirky shoes. She has a wild head of hair that she sometimes tames and she has the sweetest smile that you can't help but find endearing. She goes hiking and exploring with her husband while still dressing all sweet and cute!

A Beautiful Mess is a blog ran by two sisters, Elsie and Emma. They own a vintage shop and design cute dresses. They bake and cook and take photographs using all the kinds of cameras they can find. They are not afraid to dress ultra feminine with a hint of silly and their shoe collection is to die for. Like Elizabeth they are super cute!

These two blogs, these women... They have inspired me to dress they way I want. They (actually) dress the way I want and they are not afraid to be out of fashion or not on trend. I am very girly, I love bows and tartan and cardigans and mustard yellow and t-bar shoes and flared jeans. I love to be in heels all the time, but not platforms. I love to leave my hair in curls and I love to wear a little bit of make up because I love my freckles. 

I am just like these women. My true style is their style and I am going to listen to my heart a little more from now on.

bash...

My friend Christina and I went for a ramble down to Kilkenny to have a gawk and wander around The Silver Factory's First Birthday Bash... There was Diet Coke (in metal bottles?) and cake and gift vouchers and tattoos and bindis and black balloons galore! Packed with people even into the later hours when we arrived and filled with stunning Silver Factory pieces! There was such a buzz about the place, people talking and laughing, brilliant music being played and of course there was the continuous and uncontrollable browsing of the fantastic collection. My favourite pieces and still the loose-necked tshirts, which by the way are made of the most super soft fabric imaginable! It goes without saying that I cannot wait to see the A/W 2012 collection. Hopefully it'll be coming out really soon

Also going to the birthday bash was a great excuse to visit Shutterbug, probably my favourite vintage shop in Ireland. I always get a kick out of it when I go in there, filled with sequined EVERYTHING, turquoise rings, silk scarves, Silver Factory tees, beautiful wooly knits, the softest of leather pieces and now the Bonzie collection which is even more beautiful in real life!

Fair play to Cameron for putting the whole thing together and to Blanaid and her gang for helping out. It's always lovely to have something like that to go to on a cold Saturday.

selling myself...

I haven't actually been selling myself. Thank mercy it hasn't come to that. No, it's just something I get told by my parents/sisters/everyone when I am up for a job interview. I'm sure you get the same. The past few weeks I have been quite busy traveling up and down the country for interviews and I still find it a little tricky to figure out what is suitable to wear. Unlike a normal interview that my sisters/boyfriend/parents have been at, I'm not expected to be all suited up. One needs to be sophisticated and elegant, youthful but not sloppy. Neither overdressed nor underdressed. One has to be comfortable (I have travelled a lot recently) yet still sort of sleek. It's been tough, there's no doubt. I've been trying different things and donning a few pencil skirts but what I really feel is ticking all the boxes is this dress. It really is working a treat! It's comfy, stylish, fitted (but not vulgar) and can be paired with all sorts of heels, cardigans and jackets.

Today I teamed it with a lovely, muted cardigan (from my mum's wardrobe) and a cute and youthful pair of heels, which also make me super tall! Always a bonus... 

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan: Monsoon

Heels: Dunnes Stores

Ring: Vintage (Gift)

inspired by...

Pinterst

A Beautiful Mess

Bluebird Vintage

Behance Network

Skinny Taste

As I stated earlier in the week you can feel the change in the air. Well I certainly can anyway... And all this change of weather has me wanting different hobbies, different clothes (LOADS and LOADS of wooly things), different food and so on. 

I want to take more time to read. I read a good bit to begin with but only in bed, which just ends up with me falling asleep and drooling all over a good book. Not the best look I can tell you. I want to reawaken my autumn wardrobe with some vibrant warm colours and some western/librarian touches (that can totally be a thing). My mother had the house filled with flowers during the summer and it made the place smell divine. I want to keep this up but with more fresher, greener colours balanced with golden leaves from outside. I have been musing over many design sites seeking inspiration for FELT Fashion Journal and I really love this minimal yet bold style. I think it could work for one of the articles. And finally I want soups, but not just any soups. I want to drink up spicey mexican style soups that'll keep me both warm and interested. Nothing worse than being bored by your meals...

What do you want to get up to this week?

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

finding my body double...

I was reading an article in one of the recent issues of Style from the Sunday Independent (can't remember which one) and it really got me thinking. The article was about how to become effortlessly chic, which they said was impossible (well duh!) but there were steps to make it easier. Steps like only buy really good items of clothing that work with your existing wardrobe and so on. Fairly obvious ones that most people already know. But the one tip that really stuck with me was to find the closest 'chic' person to your body shape and start to copy their style. Not down to a tee but see what suits them. Because if it suits them, it's pretty much bound to suit you. Which is all well and good but it is very hard to find someone with the same shape as you... I find it especially hard. I don't know why, I sometimes feel like I have pieces that really aren't supposed to go together. Like big boobs and slender legs or a tiny waist yet a sizable belly. So I have settled on one who is quite close to me that I consider to be not only one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever laid eyes on but is also super chic! If only I had her stomach I'd be set... But I think she is fairly close and I am planning on losing this belly.

Her name is Tanesha Awasthi and she runs the blog Girl with Curves. She is becoming my body double idol (she really is the closest I could find). I will look to her for inspiration in those dark days when I am convinced my wardrobe is conspiring against me. And what have I learned so far from studying her wardrobe intently. Well that dark muted colours are good for day to day wear but that a block of a vibrant shade works as well. That an outfit works best when it is kept simple. That skinny jeans (nay all skinny bottoms) are my best friend and so is peplum. That I need to belt everything and that boat necks are suitable too! Oh and that knee length skirts work wonders (both full and pencil).

Has anyone else done this? Found out there body double for fashion related purposes... If so who do you reckon you match best? If you haven't give it a go, I actually found this helpful.

inspired by...

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Etsy

A Beautiful Mess

Rain always makes me dream of different things. It makes me restless for a bit of change, not in the weather but in me. And not big changes don't worry, just new things to think and to try and to get wrong sometimes. It's the changing of the seasons and why shouldn't we change just like it... Moods and feelings and thoughts and actions.

I am lusting after wide leg items, not just jeans but also trousers; to suit the autumn months. I want to a place to stack my books high, not just on shelves but on floors also. I thankfully have collected quite a few (with the intention of getting more) and I think they give a bit of character stacked in such a way, though I just know my mother would SERIOUSLY disagree. My sister is expecting and it makes me want to find an old camera, dust it off and just go snap happy with it. Digital photos are not suitable for this big change in all our lives (it's my first time to be an aunty!) and we should have something concrete to hold onto as the little one grows. I want to (a) buy one of these prints and (b) become more daring in my colour scheme in my work. Experiment while I can before I get a real job and have to restrain myself somewhat. And finally due to bad weather I want to enjoy cheesy comfort food. This mozzarella, pesto and tomato tart looks like it would go down extremely well!

leather leather...

I have been following the work of Zana Bayne for quite some time now... Two years I'd say. I found her first through her blog which is sexy, quirky and filled with all sorts of black clothing and interesting people. And then I noticed she always had these amazing belts and harnesses over her dresses and jumpers and skirts ad pants and well pretty much everything she owned. I loved them! I needed them! She took something that had a sinister/dirty/kinky/s&m vibe to it and wore it over her every day clobber. It was such a brilliant idea. I went to find out where she got such interesting pieces... Turns out she makes them herself! I was of course really impressed. When I first found them she had a teeny shop on Etsy, now she has her own online website and her work has been showcased on runways and magazines all over the world and have been used in one Lady Gaga's music videos. Pretty impressive I think!

I have wanted one for myself (in particular the little peplum belt.) She has so many pieces in a variety of colours and even some suitable for vegans. Unfortunately, they are a good bit out of my price range but I think they are worth saving up for.

Check out her work here!

inspired by...

Republique Theatre on Behance Network

Keiko Lynn

A Beautiful Mess

Pinterest

A Beautiful Mess

I feel like I am developing new tastes... or at least wanting to try new things. Get a bit of experience under my belt. I have been looking at quirky and hard branding styles, I have been crushing over not so plain tights which I used to think looked really childish on me but now I want to give them a go! I have been lusting over my own place (with my own furniture – just they way I want them!), I recently inherited my uncles record player that my dad was given which means I need to get a whole record collection and I am looking forward to buying old ones, record by record. And I also am going out tonight for the first time in a long while with my fella and I want to try some interesting yet classy concoctions!

Sidecar anyone?