As we all know, lace is very bang on trend this season.  It is very pretty, feminine and a key staple to your wardrobe this year.  Lace looks especially cool teamed with something harder looking; try a pair of skinny jeans, knee high black leather boots and a gorgeous brown leather jacket.  So ladies, if you are looking to keep your clothes collection right up to date with the catwalks and celebs, head down to cheap and cheerful Penneys!

I was in Penneys in the Dundrum Centre last week and picked up a gorgeous cream lace vest.  It is not for the faint hearted though as it is quite see through, but your modesty will be saved as it has a very cute large black bow attached to the front to cover your boobs!  And it was such a steal at only €11!  You can also get the fab brown leather jacket mentioned above for only €18.  I’m sure all you ladies still possess the skinny jeans as they have been around for the last few seasons and look set to stay for another while anyway.  So off you head to Penneys girlies and shop till you drop!  The cream lace Bolero is priced at €21 and will be in stores at the end of this month.  You’ll have to wait until the beginning of October for the skinnies which will cost you an amazing €19!!

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Go nude… and blush!

With Summer finally here (we’ve been waiting aaages!) it’s time to say hello again to… culottes!  Yep, that’s right, they’re back and I couldn’t be happier!  Topshop, Oasis and River Island have all been freshly delivered with the cute shorts but Penneys have done it again and caught my attention first.  These cute salmon pink culottes with black polka dots are only €11 from the pocket friendly store.  I’ll be wearing mine with a little black crop top and pumps!

The hat is also from Penneys and is an unbelievable €4.  A safer bet if you are not a sequin headpiece kinda gal.

Continuing to embrace neutrals I’ve paired them with this blush pink top.  It’s from Topshop and is priced at €58.  It has a zipper back and victorian style sleeves.  Yes please!

The Balmain inspired peep-toe heels have a touch of military about them to toughen up this look.  They are from New Look and are priced at €19.  They’re very comfy too… trust me!

This Turquoise bag with gold chain detail and mock croc effect is sure to brighten up the dullest of outfits.  It is priced at €28 and is from Asos.

Oh Summer, we love you!

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There’s a lot of love out there for the nautical trend, here here from the girls at wow!  Hence our excitement on the discovery of this little gem at Penneys.

The canvas striped pouch bag is only €7.00 (where else would you get that!!) and hit the stores at the beginning of last month so hurry if you need it to complete your nautical look this Summer.  The nautical style of the bag echoes French Riviera chic fused with a tint of young, and as always you won’t have to live on beans and toast for the rest of the month to buy it!  For inspiration on how to add a hint of nautical check out Chanel‘s marine themed bangle.  Oasis are carrying a great range of nautical accessories this season if Chanel is out of your budget!

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1940′s Flapper Glam!

Well, it looks like Dunnes Stores are going to keep on continuing to wow us with arrival after arrival of stunning dresses and party wear!

I spied some gorgeous girly party dresses and accessories, not forgetting the shoe department!  They’ve come up trumps I can tell ya, so get down and have a look for yourselves!  This 1940′s flapper dress is a total bargain at only €20 and it is looking so much more expensive than the price tag they have displayed to us.

It’s still all about neutrals so I’ve paired this look with nude peep toe heels.  They have a front platform making it so much easier to walk in.  You’ll spend longer on the dance floor in these comfies!  They are from Schuh and cost €75.  As they are colourless they will clash with less enabling you the choice of wearing them with a number of outfits… win win!

This clutch has a snake skin effect which never seems to date.  Wear it with anything to anywhere to add instant style and glamour.  It’s an amazing €7 from Penneys.

In keeping with the era check out this gold sequin head piece.  Once the sought after item of ladies at ladies day, headpieces are fast becoming a wardrobe staple.  This one is from H&M and priced at only €5.90!  Get experimenting ladies..

This is my favorite item of the week that Asos have to offer.  A nude lace pair of wristlets.  Perfect for the girly lady out there.  I got a pair myself and I have them worn to death!  They are €7 and only one is pictured here but they do come as a pair.

And finally we have the bracelet.  This three row pearl bracelet is from River Island and is €11.  Pearls will always stay in fashion… they are here to stay!

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With summer fast approaching and sun holidays being booked it’s time to get our Summer fun wardrobe together!

As always our trusty favourite Penneys saves the Summer yet again!  Thrilling us with cute play suits, flirty dresses and mega trendy hats!  They just keep on surprising us and this has definitely been their best year yet.

Check out this Dior look girly dress.  It’s part of the Penneys‘ limited edition collection and is priced at €23!  Perfect for dinner at night on your hols!  It is due in stores at the end of March (get your skates on!), so come on girls, it’s all about the underwear as outerwear!

Another cutie arriving to Penneys at the end of the month is this gorgeous black floral dress (the boat hat was in at the end of Feb).  Looking much more expensive than the €18 price tag this shift dress can be worn so many different ways that you’ve already got your monies worth!  It’s on my shopping list and I’ll be pairing it with my white pumps, maybe my tan brogues or perhaps my 5inch peep-toes.  How will you wear yours?

This colourful rainbow themed bikini, €10, is due in stores right now and is definitely a purchase to make!  It’s sure to grab you some attention as you walk along the beach and looks like so much fun to wear.  Be extra girly and add a cute corsage to the bikini strap.  Pennyes have a wide range from only €2 to €4!

Who knew walking on the beach could be so glam!

Matalan have lotsa surprises up their sleeves for us this Summer with a fab range of swimwear in their Spring/Summer collections.  This pink satin two piece is priced at €20 and will compliment most Irish skin tones. The twisty detail on the top and bottom are just the perfect design to add to this strapless number!

The Hawaiin floral bikini is another favourite (God I want/need them all!).

It is €13 and again from Matalan.  The wooden embellishments add something extra giving the illusion you are wearing this Summers big hit… a statement necklace.

Which two are your favourite?

And not forgetting Next!  These guys tend to be outdone by the likes River Island and Topshop but this season they’ve excelled themselves.  With so many gorgeous items in their swimwear collection, we narrowed it down and selected the best for you to choose from.

This pink bikini is in stores now and priced at €40.  It has clever ruching on the bikini top giving the illusion of a fuller chest.  Yes please!!

Hello St. Tropez!  What a gorgeous, black jewel-encrusted mono-kini with a price tag of €40!! and it’s perfect for those who love sparkle.  Wear it on the beach as well as for night time drinks by slipping over a classy pair of high waisted trousers or sleek skinny jeans!  A great option for those more conscious of their tummies.

It’s definitely all about the sparkle this Summer and that’s why we’ve added this lovely.  The bright yellow color is perfect for those of you wanting to show off that fab tan you’ve worked on (after all, it did take a long time lying on that hot beach with sand stuck to your face!).  It is €35 and has subtle yellow sequins on the top and also the bottoms.  So cute, how could you say no!  Yellow is also one of THE colours this season.

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Ok, so playsuits are still as hot this season.  From Lanvin to Kate Moss (yes that’s her behind the shield of flowers!), we all enjoyed the return of the playsuit for another season at least.  There are so many different styles, lengths and designs to choose from.  I think we can all agree that the playsuit is probably one of the most versatile and flattering (translation: handy if you’ve over-indulged!) pieces a girl could ever have.

Summer bbq?  Add a cardi and pumps!  Night time event?  Killer heels and a bright coloured bag!  You can’t keep avoiding acid prints… embrace them and say goodbye to dull black shades!  While perusing the delights Penneys had to offer, I came across this fab little playsuit.  Pick one up fast as, even though they’ve just arrived, this polka dot lovely is sure to fly out – priced at €17.  Here are a couple of looks to get you started.

For daytime team the khaki, polka dot playsuit with the chunky panel cardi, priced at €44 from Oasis.   Bertie ballerina pumps at €63.16 from asos.  To finish add this weaved belt at €25 also from Oasis.

And for night time ladies…

Grab a pair of these versatile suede booties at €60 from New Look.  Add this Chanel inspired salmon pink weave detail bag at only €31.58 from asos and you are ready for action!

P.s. if you want this playsuit get down to Penneys as fast as your fake tanned legs can carry you!

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The last time I wore a bum-bag was actually only last year… as part of a Tomb Raider Halloween costume, I had a leather bum-bag to give the look of a utility vibe.  And it was actually the best thing ever… it reminded me how annoying handbags, clutches and purses are.  I didn’t have to worry about losing my phone, money, make-up or keys… all were compactly and safely secured to my body!  It left my hands and arms free to dance (badly) throughout the night.

So why is there such a faux-pas stigma against these little gems?  Well for years now, they have always been associated with naff tourists on holidays, in grotesque prints and overly neon-bright colours.  I have flashbacks of my Mum having a bright yellow one with black exposed zips and my sister with an luminous Simpson’s version.

No longer just made in tacky polyester… designers have given the bum-bag a whole new sophisticated chic.  Over at Louis Vuitton, designed by Marc Jacobs, the bum bag has taken a luxe turn (above).  In embossed leather complete with tassels and fur trimmings… even uber cool fashion follower Rihanna has been seen sporting this design out!  Brit bag designer Angel Jackson, who has her bags for sale on fashion website ASOS, has brought out a gorgeous python skin bum-bag, which surprisingly enough I am lusting after (top)!  And newcomer to the design world Ashish sent his models down the catwalk at London Fashion Week with his sexier bum-bag versions, with studded detailing teamed with cut-away body-con dresses (below).

Surprisingly enough, the High Street has taken this trend on… and there are cool versions popping up everywhere. Marks & Spencer will launch a studded leather-effect version in May, while American Apparel offers extreme ‘80s’ shiny gold and blue versions.  River Island has the most wearable version, in my opinion, with grungy black leather adorned with triangular-shaped studs coming into stores this Spring, while Penneys currently have their versions in stock… actually ahead of the fashion pack for once, in leather-look black and white options.

Well this ‘90s’ icon has come back with a bang this season, and although there was a mini-revival of the bum-bag by Louis Vuitton a few years back, it never really caught on despite SATC’s ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ endorsing it.  It proves that not everything she touches turns to gold, which leads me to think that this new revival may also be short-lived.  Above French Connection, below Urban Outfitters.

I cannot deny their convenience and I may even invest in a cheap one for the festivals this summer – it’s certainly here for the short term on a crazy fashion whim so why not indulge this spring and make like Mr. Motivator.

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One of our favourite Street Style images yet.  This is such a great rock look and made to look so easy!  We didn’t know which to choose from whisty blogs so we were a little cheeky and took two!  Penneys, Topshop and Zara being the main highstreet stores responsible for these looks. The second look shows how you could work polka dots, shorts, tights and print trends all in one sitting…

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Denim is a staple piece in any wardrobe. From the perfect pair of jeans to a denim jacket or shirt, it is interchangeable and infinite. This season, channel your inner Debbie Harry and mix your denim with denim. The key piece in this look is the denim shirt. It is strong, simple and can be understated or sexy depending on the shape and indeed your mood. Indigo, stonewashed and even white denim is making a comeback and the most affordable way to stay on trend is with the trusty denim shirt.

On the cover on this months Vogue, Alexa Chung is slouched in a pair of denim jeans with black Chanel clogs (another one to watch out for). Inside, she describes her love for all things denim and I couldn’t help but both agree with her and feel overwhelmingly jealous. While us mere mortal’s scour the high street for that perfect pair of jeans to emulate the comfort of our Levis 501 hand-me-downs, Alexa notes that she found her dream pair at Balenciaga. And that’s all it will be for us, a dream.

The denim shirt has exploded into every store this season (Topshop, Topman, New Look and Penneys to name but a few), but it has been present in fashion since it was almost a uniform for hippies in the 70s at Woodstock and has also been filtering down from the catwalks over the past few seasons. Spring/Summer ’10 catwalks saw troops of models clad head to toe in denim, but the shirt was the piece that shone through.

There is a range of different ways to wear this ultimate piece. A loose fitted man-sized shirt, such as these shirts from Topman, can be left open as a jacket or buttoned and belted, and it can look chic when tucked into the waist. Denim on denim was a favourite at Chloé with a loose fitting denim shirt that had the pockets ripped off to reveal deep indigo patches and dark fitted jeans with lighter denim shins. Take note from this look by wearing the denim on denim with contrasting washes; lighter on top and darker on the bottom for the body conscious fashionista’s among us. With such a denim overload it is important that accessories do not overpower the look and shoe choice is essential to avoid looking like you’ve just come from a rodeo. Pin this image of Britney and Justin to your wardrobe to remind you what happens when denim attacks.

Denim shirts are widely available from designer to high street but all seem very similar – it’s how you wear it that stands out. To revamp the classic 70s look, try adding lace into the mix. By attaching a strip of lace under the collar and across the shoulders, it immediately updates this classic look and adds a modern twist.

The denim shirt (first Topshop, second New Look) will last for seasons to come and is a great item to have in multiple shades and shapes as this will allow you to either look chilled out for a day look. With the right belt and shoes can transform into an evening silhouette – just remember to back away from the cowboy boots.

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This look is right on trend and probably conjures up images of Cheryl Cole performing her debut single on X Factor.  Yes this look is bang up to date, but for how much longer?  Hence the existence of Penneys, you can buy in to the passing trends without bankrupting yourself!

The Sequin trim military jacket is so well priced at €25.00 and is worn with a scattered sequin vest for €14.00.  The jacket was out in October so if you hurry you may catch it before it’s gone, the vest however was released in November and is a great way of doing the sequin look without looking like a Christmas decoration.  The Studded clutch is €9.00 and just out of shot a studded high heel boot for €23.00 – seriously good value!

This studded high heel boot will get you through the Christmas party season with leggings, skinny jeans and dresses so well worth its €23.00 price tag.  If you want in on the leopard print trend then this Box frame bag at €9.00 is a safe way of doing so, no similarities to Bet Lynch here!  This bag would also make a great stocking filler.

What a great party look with pieces that can be worn various different ways when you are done. The Sequin boyfriend jacket €35.00, looks great for a night out here but you could also team it with a tee and skinny jeans if you are heading out for a liquid lunch over crimbo!  Again, the strapless brocade dress €21.00, could also work with a tee, opaques and pumps for day wear.  The ankle tie cuff platform in red will dress up any little black dress or work equally well with jeans although, it would be a shame to hide the detail, bargain at only €21.00!  Patterned tights as we know are huge this season so check out Penneys if you want to stock up on your tight collection, the sheer spot tights here cost €3.00.

We absolutely love, love, LOVE this look and its strong hint of Chanel (with a Penneys price tag!).  What a classic and elegant look due in store around now so be quick!  The striped Alice pea coat will cost you an amazing €25.00 and the quilted bag is a steal at only €9.00!!

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