being cool...

These were taken last week but only now do I have time to put them up... My life is too busy and not in the good way. Anyway! So I threw this outfit on one morning while rushing to get ready for the day, probably too casual for most places of work but perfectly suitable for the production section where I work. Didn't think I looked all that fresh but I was inundated with compliments (for my hat in particular), my boss told me I had seriously raised the style stakes in the office and one colleague even told me I looked cool... So cool that she sang about it (while in the kitchen-it was kind of epic). Just goes to show the littlest details grab peoples attention. Would I have gotten a single comment if I was sans hat? Who knows? I did feel pretty cool though. And I think it showed. I may have had a bit of a swagger, a wee bit of a strut. Can't be helped really...

Hat: Shutterbug

Jacket: Dunnes

Badge: Etsy

Top: Threadless

Jeans: New Look

Heels: Topshop

Sunglasses: Raybans

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 :)