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 :)

graphic tuesday...

I am terrible at keeping up with Graphic monday. Shame on me! Anyways, enjoy (a hopefully once off) Graphic Tuesday. These interesting yet minimal illustrations were created by the Project Twins, James and Michael Fitzgerald. They own a graphic design and illustration studio down in Cork ( yes, right here in Ireland of all places.) They have done so many things (including work for Bulmers, the Dublin Flea Market and the Cork Film Festival) but what I want to show you is one of the latest collections which is called A-Z of Unusual Words. It's exactly what it says on the tin... They visually described words in the English language that are unusual/lost and rarely spoken.

I think they are quite beautiful and I wouldn't mind a few for my walls. See the whole collection here

blogger brunch...

Yesterday I went to a Blogger Brunch at The Cliff Townhouse on Stephen’s Green. It was hosted by the lovely Rosemary Mac Cabe. The brunch was to get bloggers together to chat, have fun, eat sweets and learn about the Dublin Fashion Festival.

The festival kicks off on the 8th of September (which is a Thursday) and runs through the weekend. There will be loads of things to see and do such as catwalk shows, exhibitions, master classes (such as how to walk in high heels and how to get style on a shoestring budget), workshops and so much more. Really a great weekend of stuff and I suggest that you all do at least one thing...

To learn more about the Dublin Fashion Festival just check out their website here.

Sorry for the lack of photos I was too busy talking to people (bad blogger) but here is a snap of the amazing chandelier that was in the room.

That girl's in vogue...

This is the final inspiration outfit post... Thanks for all the comments that you have given me!

Kathryn O'Regan is the wonder behind She's in Vogue. Filled with patterns, paintings, full skirts, opinionated words, rings, icons and petticoats this blog is for ever "arty farty" girl who sometimes feels she was born in the wrong era. Her collages are a blend of old and new, of lady like chic and forgotten girls. Not only does she share her love for fashion but she shares with us her love for art, of artists she admires as well as her own work (her room is filled with her artwork-tis awesome!)

Her style and her blog have a wonderful juxtaposed nature. There is a constant theme of elegance with hints of childish fun, a young woman who understands the greatness of the full skirt, of the "below the knee" length, of pearls and fascintaors. Yet this girl will also rock a busted up pair of converse, layered dresses, oversized cardigans and cat eye shades.

Yes, there is something very special about this girl with the unruly hair and big eyes...

Cardigan: Dunnes

Dress: Vivien of Holloway

Belt: Coast

Heels: Penneys

Watch: Gift

Rings: Gifts

Stitch up my soul...

For those who haven't been following this is the fourth installment of a project I am working on, creating outfits that have been inspired by other bloggers...

The devil is in the detail... That is what I have learned from Stephen Moloney's blog Stitches, Fabric and Soul. The people he hunts down and photographs are the pick of the crop. The cool, the demented,the loved, the wild, the weird, all with devil may care attitudes. Their clothes say something about them. Souls exposed in the seams of their garments. I may not always love what the people are wearing but I am jealous of their bravery, wearing items they truly love despite the fact it might not "go" or be "on trend".

Stephen Moloney himself oozes a sort of careless coolness, a characteristic I wish I possessed. Never trying to be cool but always falling into that category. A relaxed outlook to fashion while still being heavily consumed by it... You want to be his friend, but he is too bashful. Killer coolness, a monotoned quirkiness, shocking, youthful, fresh faced and head buzzing with glitter falling from his foot steps.

Though I am nowhere near cool enough...

Biker jacket/ Sandals: Dunnes

Ballet Top: Awear

Trousers: Penneys

Belt: River Island

Bag: Vintage Fair

Shades: Ray Ban

Watch: Gift

Be my Blanaid

Shabby chic, beatnik, smokey eyes, unruly hair, more is definitly more, eclectic, electric, soft... Blanaid.

When I think of Blanaid and her blog I think of layers, I think of an "anything goes" nature, of dark eyes, and awesome photo shoots, of inspiring imagery and equally inspiring words. I think of white walls and dance floors, of restless souls and flames swaying at twilight. I think of exaggerated poses that I could never pull off and talented photographers that will never take my photo. Yet I also think of a woman I can relate to and now can call my friend.

Blanaid has a seriously good eye for all things different. Her perfect home is filled with gilded, old furniture with white/grey walls, vintage posters, stained wooden floors and an expensive coat that also works as a piece of art. Her perfect outfit could be nearly anything, she has no hesitation about wearing something belonging to her boyfriend with her something belonging to her mother topped off with jewels and furs and a thrifted pair of killer heels, oh and a billion rings stacked high.

A breath of fresh air...

Vest/ Brown ring: Penneys

Waistcoat: Warehouse

Trousers: Oasis

Wedges: New Look

Fur: H&M

Watch: Gift

Brooch: Gift
Belt: River Island 

Inspiration from those...

I was taught that anything I create has been inspired by something else, even I didn't mean it to be. I think this can also be said for fashion and styling. Magazines suggest that people should look to celebrities for inspiration, other people get it from art. The majority of people are inspired by other people. A good deal of my inspiration comes from the people I know and the blogs I follow.

Blogs are an endless source of inspiration for me, and not just the outfit posts. Their "inspiration" posts, their posts on their new favourite song, photos they took, the styling and design of the blog and how the person writes are all areas where inspiration can be found. And for the next five weeks I want to celebrate this.

For the next five Saturdays I am going to create an outfit that has been inspired by my favourite Irish blogs starting tomorrow with Blaubushka and then continuing on with Whisty, Blanaid, Stitches, Fabric and Soul and, She's in Vogue (maybe not in that order though.) The outfit will depict the vibe I get from the blog and the blogger. I hope they won't mind... I just want to show how blogs have inspired my own sense of style.

If nothing else it will be terribly flattering for said blogs (and hopefully not creepy...)

Inspiration not imitation...

Yummy...

Has anyone heard of Amity? If you haven't, listen up... I think its important to promote Irish businesses, I really should do it more often. Amity is an Irish boutique in good auld Cork. Twas founded back in December 2009 by Brian McManagan, Tina Scully and Hazel Buckley. The shop sells from retro style t-shirts, handmade vintage inspired jewellery, beautiful clothes, shoes and accessories, handmade retro style lampshades to a dress for a wedding and even a bridesmaid dress from over 30 exclusive independent designers from all over world and the majority of them are exclusive to Amity (how fancy!) I think I want their entire collection. In fact, I know I do!

I first heard about Amity last year on facebook and then I actually saw their collection when they were at Style @ Set this year. And now they are becoming national! They have launched their website... Go check 'em out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Also how darling is their logo???

Also! I LOVE their lampshades!!!

Ok I'm done now...