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 :)

inspired by...

A lot of things have been going on in my head and I'm feeling inspired! I'm hoping that a lot of things will happen for me in 2013 but they won't just happen on their own, I've got to get them going. Style wise I want to add more colour to my life (I know, now that monochrome is coming into fashion again I turn my back on it). I was looking into my wardrobe the other day and I could not get over how many black skirts I owned. Black, black and white, black and grey, black and gold... a little bit one sided. So a colour injection (in the skirt department) is most definitely needed.

Also make up wise I have fallen in love with the fresh faced look, when your days are long you don't want smokey, smudgy eyes staring back in the mirror. I'm going to try some simple lipsticks, to keep me looking fresh. Not mad ones now but a red or soft coral or blush pink will go down nicely I think. Soups have become a little boring, same old veggie just isn't doing it for me. I want a bit of a kick and I have been drooling over these mexican inspired soups, full of good things and super tasty (I hope!)

I can't help but steal a few moments away to look at some new design work that's out there now, really interesting pieces that have been created without the need for computers (too much). This piece by Darren McPherson and Will Miller really has my creative flow racing! And finally I have been day dreaming about my future home. I think this year will be the year that I fly the nest and I really want to make my new (non-existant) place my own. I have commissioned (begged) my mam to make this blanket for my future abode! You know, something for the bottom drawer, as they say.

As always I have been inspired my the devil that is Pinterest. You can see for yourself that I have a problem.

peggy...

I got my hair cut... Only a few inches but it was getting all dry and fuzzy so it needed to be chopped. It is a bit funny at the moment but in a week it'll settle and be like my old hair again. So yesterday I was seeing what looked semi decent with the slightly shorter hair (it's amazing what looks different with less inches- even if it's just a couple). I tried this out little do out and I felt quite fancy, not too fancy, but still quite chic. I felt my outfit needed to match. Once dressed, I realised I resembled Peggy Olson from Mad Men. And of course I loved that! Would prefer Joan, obviously, but Peggy will do nicely for now.

Also the lovely little dog belongs to my friend. Her name is Belle and she is half collie, half corgi. Which means she's rally really stumpy! But she is the happiest dog I have ever met. She seemed to enjoy participating in the whole outfit post thingy. Thanks to my friend I now have more pictures of her than of me. But she is far prettier so I don't mind.

Hairband: Funny People Co/Etsy

Top: Awear

Belt/Skirt: River Island

Heels: Clarks