Cork Fashion Week 2015

This blog post is particularly close to my heart and a little different than my usual outfit posts.   I have had the pleasure and privilege of being involved in Cork Fashion Week since it's conception in 2009, and also of being very close friends with it's founders, the amazing women pictured above Emer (check out her blog Irish Fashaholic) and Vivienne.  I am amazed by the level of style and ingenuity CFW provides and the platform it creates for a meeting of like minded, fashion loving people to come together and share ideas.  I for one, was inspired!  

I must say my favourite collection of the night was from Dunnes stores.  This Irish owned department store has really upped it's game recently stocking local home grown designers such as Carolyn Donnely, and Lennon Courtney.  I will be running out and purchasing the silver and black Saint Laurant inspired boots and the faux fur stoles.

My outfit for the night was inspired by Parisian chic tulle and stripes.  Plus, I just love anything off the shoulder.  There was so much style in the room, I wish I could share it all with you!  Cheers to CFW, bringing style to Ireland! xo

PS - The photos of myself with Emer, Vivinne and the other bloggers were taken by Blink of an Eye Photography.

Dress (worn as top) Penney's// Bag Chanel// Skirt Verso

With fellow blogger David from Material Boy and CFW directors Emer and Vivienne

Dublin Nights

This past weekend my husband and I got to sample the Dublin nightlife for the first time since moving here, courtesy of my mother who is visiting from California and was kind enough to babysit for the night.  In a futile attempt to save money, we got the bus into town. . .and that is where the frugality stopped!  After bar hopping a bit, we settled down at Olyesa's Wine Bar.  This place has a great chilled out atmosphere where you can sip lovely wines, eat a cheese plate and watch the world pass by outside.

Now for my outfit!  I have been obsessed with anything off the shoulder this whole summer, especially a particular Tibi top that is a bit out of my price range.  So I was delighted to see that Zara has a very similar top for a fraction of the price!  I'm also in love with the unique style of this Penney's necklace.  It's all about mixing high and low! xo

Top Zara// Necklace Penney's

Leather shorts old// Bag and shoes Chanel

Avoca is Gooood!!

My quest to learn more about my new county- Dublin, took me today to Avoca in Monkstown.  Prior to moving here, all I really knew of Dublin was Grafton Street and Temple Bar, and believe me, these can get boring fast!!  There's too many crowds and tourists.  It was refreshing today to go to this amazingly quaint seaside village.  Avoca has the best food - as you can see in the picture below!  Now that I live in Dublin and my rent is astronomical, I will be recycling a lot of my old clothes on the blog. . .Here's a fun new way to create a new look with one of your old scarves - belt it and turn it into a vest.  xo

Dress Zara// Scarf Alexander McQueen// Shoes Chanel

Bag Mansur Gavriel

Delicious crab salad and seared tuna at Salt Cafe/ Avoca

Stripes// Leather// Chanel

I was in Dublin recently and took the chance to do a bit of shopping and exercise the credit card. . . I have completed my first year on the Specialist Registrar (Geriatric Medicine) training scheme and am one year closer to becoming a Consultant physician (woohoo!)  So, naturally I took the opportunity to reward myself with these amazing new Chanel brogues. I am a firm believer in rewarding oneself at all opportunities ;)  I had seen the gold version of these shoes on a lot of bloggers online, but these navy and black brogues are understated and way more my style.  Shoes and bags are most definitely my weakness xo

Dress H&M// Leather jacket Sandro// Bag Zara// Shoes Chanel

Titanic

My dad is visiting from California at the moment and last weekend I took him along with my husband and two kids to Belfast for the weekend.  We hit all the tourist hot spots including the Titanic  museum and Crumlin Road Goal.  I had such a great time and really enjoyed learning about the rich history of the city.  I dressed comfortably because it was cold and we did a lot of walking.  I layered a turtle neck (which are very hot right now!) under a dress from Sandro.  I also paired it with a long black coat, thick tights and my OTK boots, which were so comfortable and great for walking.  I took a few outfit snaps in front of the Titanic museum. xo

Dress Sandro// Coat River Island// Boots Guess// Bag Chanel

Embroidery

I have been waiting all winter long to encounter the perfect pair of over the knee (OTK) black leather boots, and I finally found them in the form of this pair by Guess.  I am very fussy when it comes to shoes and my perfect pair of boots needed to be flat, pointy toe and made of a good quality leather at an affordable price.  I waited till so late to buy these that I got a great deal 50% off on sale at Fabucci Footwear.  

Now let's talk about my coat!  Unfortunately I got it a few years back while on a trip home to California, but how fab is it!? I love the Asian feel with the high collar and embroidery.  It is a unique piece that I will have for years to come. xo 

Top 5 Tuesdays: Couture Week SS15

Number 1: Chanel

Because Karl's creative genius is second to none and he out does himself every season.

Because the paper jungle and crystal flower theme was to die for.

Because veiled beanies are happening and I for one, will be rocking one.

Because Chanel is the epitome of chic and I want everything that came down that runway!

Number 2: Valentino

Because they channelled the Russian country side, romance and poetry with beautiful results.

Because it's all in the details: the fabrics - chiffon, silk, velvet and embroidery.
Because I love the light airy chiffon pieces worn under heavier knits and vests.
Because compared to the other fashion houses this season, it was all about understated elegance.

Double Dressing

Up here in Donegal, after a mild December winter has finally kicked in and we are getting a few snow flurries and high winds.  But I am sick of wearing pants all the time so today I wore two dresses doubled up on top of each other for warmth.  The longer green dress is a light weight silk dress and I topped it off with a sweater dress, scarf and beanie hat, because baby, it's cold outside!!  Most of the items I am wearing are purchased recently and are now available in the sales.  xo

Best of 2014

Winter Florals

I just bought this striped floral top from Penney's.  The dark colors make it a perfect way to wear florals during the A/W season.  The top also has a really cute matching skirt, but unfortunately it was sold out, so I paired it with this high-wasted see through skirt from www.minusey.com.  This is a South Korean online clothing store and it's great to pick up cute bits that no one else will have. xo

Turtle Necks and Tutus

I was in beautiful Ards National Park amoungst all the autumn leaves falling off the trees and I took the opportunity to have an impromptu photo shoot in this outfit that I love for fall!  I will most definitely be rocking turtle necks this season.  I think they are just so chic (not to mention practical for keeping warm!)  I also recently bought this hat in Penney's for less than 5 euros.  It doesn't come out that well in the photos, but it has a really cute mesh bow and jewel detail.  What is your favourite fall trend? xo

Hat Penney's

A Scarf Affair

So, it's officially autumn/winter 2014!  The clocks have gone back, and I must admit this is not my favourite time of year. But A/W invariably means that it's scarf time! And I do love me good scarf.  This year I am inspired by this cool belted scarf trend from the Burberry A/W '14 catwalk.  What's your favourite A/W trend? xo

Myself wearing a Maje scarf and a model from the Burberry A/W'14 catwalk

Scarf and cape Zara, top Sheinside, bag Chanel, shoes Valentino

Playing Catch Up: Part 2

Here's a look back at some of the casual outfits I wore over the past few months.  When I'm not working I just like to be as comfy as possible and I usually wear sweaters, T-shirts and jeans.  Sometimes when I'm really lazy I'll even wear leggings and a baggy sweatshirt, but you won't be seeing those outfits here!! I've also been favouring tops with clever, cheeky slogans lately, as you can see!

 Thanks for stopping by.  xo

Dungarees Penney's, T-shirt Minusey, shoes Top Shop, bag Mulberry

Sweatshirt Kitson, work out pants (I'm sure you're not interested in where I got them!)

Top Sandro, jeans Gap, shoes Next, bag Chanel

T-shirt Kitson, leather jacket Sandro, jeans Gap