Posted on 22 April 2009. Tags: Beauty
Pret-a-Portea is coming to Harvey Nichols in Dundrum. For those of you not familiar with Pret-a-Portea, it’s generally regarded as the most fashionable way to enjoy tea. With fans including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Gwyneth Paltrow those attending are sure to be in good company.
Created to tempt the most discerning fashionista, Pret-a-Portea is sure to attract a slew of fashion-hungry ladies keen to get in on some of the action. Cakes, biscuits and other goodies are inspired by top-end designers including Lanvin, Christian Louboutin, Michael Kors and Balmain.
The Spring/Summer looks that line the rails are represented in the fancy plates and allow mere mortals a taste of designer heaven without the overdraft! Served daily from 3-5pm from April 28th until May 2nd for €30 per person.
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Posted on 17 April 2009. Tags: Beauty
I was in Topshop earlier looking for a little pick-me-up on a pretty miserable day. Standing at the counter with my guilt-infused shoe box I spotted sweets; lots of them. All kiddie-like and pink and wrapped in love.
Now, I know they?ve been there for ages I just never thought of actually buying them until today. Sitting there in all it’s perfectly packaged glory was eating paper; tasteless, candy coloured paper that you eat, for pleasure.
I used to love the stuff when I was a kid-the novelty factor I?m presuming because after a downing the whole bag I can safely say that’s it’s not the taste that keeps you going back for more. Sweets merchandised in front on Kate Moss’s cooler-than-cool logo-it’s marketing genius and I salute them!
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Posted on 17 April 2009.
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OK, so it’s not Agent Provocatuer but it’s underwear with a purpose. While thousands of women are in the midst of training for the Mini Marathon in June many forget about the importance of protecting their assets. Not their feet or their knees but the assets that set them apart form their male counterparts.
Well, today I read that during training the average female runners breasts will be taking their own journey and could travel anything up to a staggering 600 metres in bounce! That, my lovelies is the equivalent of the Dublin Spire stacked end to end, more than five times (I know).
While women spend money on the perfect runners, great leggings and jackets for training what’s on underneath is often overlooked. This is partly because our image of sports bras is not exactly glamorous. Even in this instance the name ‘shock Absorber? is a little off-putting but the pieces themselves are cool. Pretty yes, but tough enough to get the job done-just the way I like them!
Above is the Shock Absorber Classic Sports Bra in Black ?35 and below the Shock Absorber Max Sports Bra in Coral ?40.50
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Posted on 09 April 2009. Tags: Shoes
I just popped out for lunch and committed the ultimate impulse buying crime! Well, it’s kind of horrible out and it’s Easter and I?ve been off chocolate for almost 40 days, you get the picture. A small pick-me-up never killed anyone. Two actually, and four if you count them separately! I bought two pairs or shoes; more specifically one pair of boots and a pair of shoes.
But here’s the good part?. Not entirely good but I?ll get on with it. SHAG boutique, a personal favourite of mine for years stocking some of the coolest shoe brands available is closing down. The recession perhaps, or maybe they?re moving onward and upward-whatever the case they?re having a kick ass sale.
I?m not talking about the usual 20% or 30% off. The shoes are all, yes ALL €50. I kid you not. Camilla Staerk, Repetto and Lucia Padovan for a monkey? You can’t buy Topshop shoes for that and these bad boys are designer. Sale ends on Saturday so get moving!
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Posted on 09 April 2009. Tags: Angela Scanlon, Fashion, M&S, Religion, Skinny Jeans
The glimmer of hope we had for a delightful Summer seems to have faded almost as quickly as it arrived. But, I?m determined not to lose hope and have dug out some new sorbet-coloured lovelies to keep the spirits up.
Yes, coloured jeans are back again, only this time they are more candy-coloured and cute, rather than loud and brash, making them perfect for the summer months. Yellow, pink, green or blue; in terms of colour just think pastel rather than primary.
Agyness Deyn was spotted rocking a pair of washed out red jeans in New York recently, while Katy Perry is also a fan of sorbet colours for the summer.
What’s perfect about these babies is that they ooze Summer style but you?re not going to look like an idiot when the skies open! Thrown on a pair of coloured jeans with a plain t-shirt and pumps or gladiator flats for the daytime, and glam it up for the evening with a sexy pair of wedges or contrasting platforms.
The yellow M&S ones for €35 are too cute though perhaps Religions blue skinnies are a little more practical (€60).
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Posted on 06 April 2009. Tags: Hair Style
I regularly hear pregnant women complaining about the choice of clothing available. One friend was so frustrated by the lack of skinny jeans on offer than she had a tailor sow some elastic into her regular jeans so she could wear them right through the pregnancy (with long tops obviously!).
It seems that the options are very limited once you start to show. Either put-up and shut-up or visit specialty stores which are not exactly bargain basement in terms of price. While there are some wonderful pieces available in boutiques such as Neo and Bella Mama many women don’t see the value in investing in maternity clothing that will only be worn for a few months.
On the high street, Topshop have a great selection especially in their Grafton Street store, while H&M and Zara also have small sections specific to maternity wear. There is always the option of improvising-empire lines, leggings, draw-string pants, tunic tops-fashion has become a bit more flexible so many styles allow a little room for growth.
But, if you’ve got swollen feet and don’t feel like leaving the house you can check out Littlewoods new collection by Holly Willoughby. Due to give birth to her first child next month the TV presenter has designed a range of stylist maternity clothes to flatter any bump!
Among the collection are special occasion dresses, vibrant tops, day dresses (including the purple dress that Holly wore to the recent Brit Awards), and my favourite-a long-line cream wrap cardigan (only €49!!). Print wrap dress €59 and the purple pleat blouse also €59.
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Posted on 06 April 2009.
While the dress is most definitely a staple again this season there is a shift in shape. Gone are the oversized tunics and shifts and the floaty, frilly froth. Structure is back with a bang. Strong shoulders and stiffened hips create an ultra-sharp silhouette. Maybe the recession has designers reminiscing about the 80′s and going back to their roots or maybe in these troubled times we?re looking for clothes with attitude that inspire confidence.
For those of you who struggle with spatial awareness step away now, but if you love throwing your weight around this is the perfect trend for you! While this look was championed by hoards of international designers you don’t have to go that far. Eclectic London label Religion have some pieces to rock this look without breaking the bank. (Both come in at under €75!) Top Religion Cap Sleeve Tulip dress and below Religion Sleeveless Peplum dress.
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Posted on 03 April 2009. Tags: Skin Care
Forget Sex and the City, Sun in the City is so much sexier. Dublin, basking in the sun is just a much prettier place to be. Lunch in the park, coffee on the street, floaty dresses and open top-shoes. Fashion takes an exciting turn as soon as Summer arrives.
This Summer, Parisian chic is experiencing a welcome revival with thanks to the genius that is Marc Jacobs. His Spring/Summer ’09 collection (above) was a mash-up of prints and textures, contrasting ideas and unexpected pairings. It was a cocktail for the senses! But, the stand out piece? A crushed straw hat. Actually a ?boater? hat.
It’s a brave choice and will certainly get you noticed so it’s not for the shy among you. But, for those looking to add an unexpected, high-fashion touch this baby will do just that. Add it to the simplest outfit to bring it perfectly up-to-date or go all out and channel your inner Madam with a flirty dress like this fab Diabless one from Divine Boutique (€280) J?Adrore?
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Posted on 01 April 2009.
Racing season is almost upon us and many of the punters attending are more interested in the talent off the course than on it! While you stand to lost your shirt at the Tote, the inclusion of Best Dressed competitions mean that some lucky ladies actually leave with more money in their clutches.
Each year, the bar is raised and women up the ante with outfits aimed at standing out, grabbing attention and hopefully being rewarded. While the dress, the shoes and the cover up are all important it’s their crowning glory, the hat that usually sets the winner apart.
Stephen Jones and Philip Tracey have provided the “exclamation point? for some of the worlds most famous and beautiful women. Some even go as far as saying that they?re never fully dressed without a hat. Now, while the worlds most famous milliners command figures that would buy the horse itself, many more entrepreneurial and creative types are throwing their hand to the age-old tradition and producing one-of-a-kind pieces at prices that are much more reasonable.
KiKi Headwear has been a personal favourite of mine for a few years now. With more talent than time, Kyna Brady designs headpieces and hats for celebrities, brides, race goers and more. She’s got a fantastic eye and without much direction seems to be able to encapsulate any theme perfectly, providing the ideal finishing touch.
I was styling a shoot recently (Photography by Lili Forberg) and sent through a very rushed and vague brief. When I opened the box, I shrieked with delight (this doesn’t happen often!). It wasn’t what I expected, I didn’t really have time to form expectations but it was PERFECT. More than perfect-the tiny pearls in the softest nude colours, the intricate woven golden strands, the soft feathers and delicate petals. Divine!
Check her stuff out here or pop into the store in the Knightsbrook (Trim, Co Meath) for a huge selection and a chat with Kyna-my one to watch for headwear?
Posted in Fashion
Posted on 01 April 2009.
Now in its fifth year, the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign has gone from strength to strength in Ireland through the sale of the bull’s eye target t-shirts and last year’s hugely successful Diane von Furstenberg tote bag. This year Brown Thomas have managed to get celebrated designer Paul Smith on board to design another fab bag which will appeal to women of all ages.
The limited edition bag nails the Spring/Summer ?09 trend for all things bright and candy coloured while combining Paul Smith’s signature design style. The obligatory bull’s eye target logo is also cleverly incorporated. The bright multi-coloured canvas tote depicting ?Love Paul Smith? is set to be the must-have bag of the summer.
The designer bag costs €35 and all proceeds raised will go to Action Breast Cancer (a programme of the Irish Cancer Society) and Europa Donna Ireland (raising awareness of breast cancer issues in Ireland). Paul Smith himself will be in store on Thursday 7th May to launch the tote. (To be sold exclusively at Brown Thomas and BT2).
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