Short Layering

Sorry for my lack of posts recently, I've been a very busy little bee. Back to business as they say with this outfit post of what I wore yesterday. With the sun coming in and out all day, I thought if I was going to wear shorts, then I was going to have fun layering a 'typical' summer wardrobe essential with some cosy tights and very comfy heels. You may remember these shoes from my very first post here or with one of my favourite coats here. 

Here's some up close shots of the print on the blouse and shoes I posted on instagram. The blouse is so feminine yet has these dainty little skull buttons to add a bit of character.

Blouse: Zara. Shorts: New Look. Tights: Dunnes. Shoes: Marks & Spencers. Cardigan: Dunnes.

Hope you're week is off to a good start. Happy Monday!

Lusting Teapot Bags

While over in London, I came across a new brand that really grabbed me. Such detailed classic designs caught my eye initially but what really made myself and my lovely friend Orla fall in love with these bags was the quality. You really have to see them to understand. I've no doubt these would age really well. I'm torn between two favourites; the beautiful satchel with the antique andean cloth or the practical suede leather backpack. As I was delighted to come across this relatively low profile brand, I thought I'd like to share it with my readers. The Teapot Tree works closely with the most skillful artisian around the world to create these beautiful bags. Here are a few of my favourites. 

Practical Suede & Leather Backpack

Small Special Leather Handbag

 Stylish Embossed Leather Handbag

 Satchel with Antique Andean Cloth

 Exclusive Handmade Leather Satchel/Briefcase

What's your favourite? If you want to see more of their collection, check them out here: http://www.theteapottree.co.uk. 

Major Crush On A Skirt

If you see it on in the shop, decide you'll leave it and have a proper think and then keep thinking about it 2 weeks later, it means go treat yourself in my book. However, don't you hate when you finally decide to go buy it, only to find its out of stock in the first store you try. You'd think that I would think it's not meant to be.  Not on this occasion though, I think it means I'm on a mission.

My Crush (aka the lovely skirt): Zara

Scarf Inspired Blazer

How are you feeling about the scarf print trend? I for one am welcoming the great patterns. This scarf print blazer is one of my recent purchases. I came across it while I was looking for a skirt - always the way! I fell in love with the print and colour, especially with the flicker of gold through it as it. The cut really is fantastic. I just know I'm going to get plenty of wear out of it which is the main thing. I really dressed it down here as I was just about to pop out for a bagel for brunch.

Blazer: Zara. Jumper: Topshop. T-shirt: H&M. Jeans: Topshop. Wedges: Pennys

The food was delicious and I thought the decor was very fun and playful so I took some pictures to share with you. The patchwork furniture was so eye-catching and warm. You might not think anything of the chairs at first glance until I tell you they were above my head on the ceiling. How quirky is that? Lets hope they are well bolted in. The lights were very cute as each one had a saucer and china cup of some sort as a shade, all in varying designs and shapes. Between the food, decor and great service, I think I found my new spot. 

Happy Monday!

Let The Good Times Roll

Some fun snaps from Instagram the last 2 weeks. We went rollerblading in the Phoenix Park and ate some delicious ice-creams. It was like a trip down memory lane on the rollerblades. They weren't mine but I had so much fun on them that I went and bought myself a pair last week. When I went back to the park yesterday, I saw lots of deer and what I beautiful sight it was. The flowers were a lovely surprise from my wonderful boyfriend - no reason surprise flowers are the best kind aren't they!?

Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Printed Courage

I saw printed pants in the spring/summer collections and thought they were really fresh and fun. It's a lot easier to wear print in tops, accessories and even skirts but for some reason, not everyone is as quick to put on bold printed pants. Maybe because it's a little different but sometimes it worth working up a little courage. Pairing printed pants with a plain coloured top is a good way to ease yourself in.

Top (Awear), printed pants (Zara), shoes (Aldo)

Seaside Fun

Bit of a random one from a while back but I'm wearing a coat and hat that I love so thought I'd share it with you. I packed my heavy hats and scarfs away there at the weekend. Lets hope I didn't do it too soon as Irish weather can be unpredictable. I could be getting ahead of myself but I always feel like spring-summer is well and truly here when the clocks change so we get longer evenings. Next weekend it happens and I for one can't wait!

Boots (Uggs), Jeans (Topshop), Coat (Topshop), Scarf (present from a friend), Hat (Zara).

Garden Party

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone!

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend. I'm heading out to join the celebrations but just wanted to quickly share an outfit post with you. This outfit is very much centred around the pencil skirt. I just loved the detail of the floral print and the colours throughout. Its just reminded me of a garden party. I wore it to dinner recently. I went simple on top as so not to distract from the skirt. The shoes are oldies but goodies as they say, while the necklace you may remember from a previous post of my finds from the sales.

Top (Zara), necklace (Marks & Spencers), skirt (Zara), shoes (Barratts).

Ready or Not

This jacket was a great find in H&M. As soon as I saw it, it reminded me of a Helmut Lang tuxedo blazer I saw online, the bonus being the price tag on this one made me happy. I was delighted when I tried it on and found it had a great fit. Nothing worse than when your heart sinks a little when you try something on  and it doesn't fit great when it was gorgeous on the hanger. These shoes are my treat to myself this month. I've wanted pointy stilettos for a while but was yet see a pair that I wanted. As you probably guessed, it was love at first sight with these beauties. I chose this outfit to wear when I wasn't sure exactly what the evening ahead held. Whatever was in store for me, I wanted to be ready or not.

Tuxedo blazer (H&M), top (Zara), jeans (Dunnes), shoes (Aldo).

I Just Want to be Myself

Quick picture before I was off on a few errands. It's a little windy out. This was the only shot I could get without hair in my face but it's just to show you this t-shirt I love which I bought because what it said across the front appealed to me...'I just want to be myself'.

Jacket (Miss Selfridge), T-shirt (Zara), Jeans (Topshop), Studded Boots (Faith), Bag (Zara)

Chapped Lips?

This is just a quick post to share something I found good with anyone who suffers with chapped lips from time to time. Somethings when I suffering from chapped lips, I was forever switching between lip balm & a lippy of some sort trying to achieve both moisture and colour. When I happened to try Clinique's Superbalm Moisturising Gloss, I expected it to add moisture but I wasn't fully convinced it would achieve what I was looking for which was long lasting moisture and colour. I half heartily thought I'd give it a try. To my delight, I was really pleased with the result, it gave me long-lasting moisture. I've recommended it to one or two of my friends that suffer from chapped lips with the change of the weather so I just thought I'd share this great find with you. I just wish I knew about it sooner.

Cupcakes with Sprinkles

The sun was bouncing off the cars, the lawn mowers were going, the daffodils were blooming...oh yes, the signs of spring are starting to appear. I even got to whip out my sunglasses. With that spring feeling in the air, this is what I chose to wear. I layered a fun jumper over a pink shirt and paired with jeans for a bit of a fun but preppy look. I seem to be going through a shirt under jumper phase at the moment. Anyone else currently going through a phase of something? I threw on a pair of burgundy coloured sunglasses and heels to complete the look.

Cupcake with sprinkles.

My shirt layering phase.

Jumper (Topshop), Shirt (H&M), Jeans (Topshop), Shoes (Marks & Spencers), Sunglasses (Warehouse), Clutch (River Island).

Sole Survivor

Have you ever had a pair of boots that you just love but you feel there's a good chance you may just go flying on to the floor walking in them? As soon as I tried these boots on, that was these boots for me. Gorgeous on, but I suddenly felt very unstable in them. Not because of their height mind you. It was because on the smoothness of the bottom of them. They had no grip whatsoever...but I bought them anyway. The first thing I done before I even wore them was get them resoled. It added to the cost but it was so worth it. One of the girls said they wouldn't even think to do that. Being honest, I've done it a few times. Boots are made for walking after all. I do take care of them. I just got them re-heeled last week before they wore down too much. I feel like I've a new pair of boots again. Happy Days!

Boots (Faith)

Instagram Valentines Week

Just a few quick snaps from Instagram I took Valentines week. I went down the country for a nice relaxing break and cuddled up by the fire with some movies. Went out for a delicious meal. How nice does it look!? Here are some of my recent purchases. Picked up this top in Zara. Love the subtle colours and its longer at the back which is perfect for layering. The jeans I picked up in Dunnes. They have a great fit, that I'm actually thinking of going back to get them in blue too. This jacket is a great find. It reminded me of a Helmut Lang wool tuxedo jacket one I saw but without the price tag. It reworks the classic blazer  while it's raised back and unique shape make it very versatile. Lastly, if you saw my last post, I decided to try the lilac nail varnish first.

Top (Zara), Jeans (Dunnes), Blazer (H&M).

Centre Stage

These are some nail varnishes I picked up this week. I recently had bought a similar pink in another brand but after two coats it still looked like it could have done with a third coat. As a result, I decided to try a different brand. A friend of mine had a Topshop nail varnish and I tried hers. It goes on great and it lasts.  If you were in a rush, not to worry as it even looks good with one coat, although I personally prefer two with nail varnishes. When I went looking for a pink in Topshop, I found they had so many gorgeous colours. Trust me, I was lucky I only came away with two colours. There was so many I wanted. Also, I couldn't resist trying Rimmel's new Peppermint colour. Now, which to put on first?! Have you a favourite nail varnish colour at the moment? 

Parma Violet (Topshop), Peppermint (Rimmel), Milkshake (Topshop).  

Just a thought...

Something my mam said to me sparked a thought. I mentioned to her that I love getting new nail varnish and that it's like a little pick-me-up treat to myself and can freshin' up your look. Her instant thought was how that used to be lipstick. What are your thoughts on this? Does lipstick still take centre stage or are you quicker to buy nail varnish as a cheap and cheerful beauty product?

Bobbles

At the moment, with the exception of the weekend, when I get up in the morning, it's still relatively dark and when I get home from work, you guessed it - it's dark again. The bonus of this is it usually means more cosy nights in but it does make it a little bit harder for outfit post moments. Each year I get a buzz of excitement when I leave work and for the first time in a few months, it's still bright outside. I can see the evenings getting a little bit longer each day and I can't wait for the long evenings in come in. It's my favourite time of year. What's your favourite time of year? 

It's actually gotten quite cold here the last week so I'm not going anywhere without a coat. This is what I was wearing at the weekend. With the 3/4 length sleeves on this coat, I initially wore it mostly when it wasn't too cold outside. That was however until I invested in some long sleeved gloves. They're fingerless gloves and has a part that flips over to cover your fingers. Whoever thought of that was a little genius. You can do so much more without having to take them on and off all the time. I always see bobbles on the top of a hat but I thought this one was a little different with the bobbles at the side.

 

Coat (Topshop), Jeans (Topshop), Boots (Office), Scarf (Marks & Spencers), Gloves (Accessorize), Hat (River Island)

Cinderella Syndrome

Have you ever had a dress or outfit you're dying to wear but you're just waiting for a suitable occasion to wear it? Well, this is that dress for me at the moment. I wore it once and really want to wear it again. It's not your typical going out dress. It's quite dressy and I'm not sure if this picture does it justice. It goes just to the knee and kicks out. It was sitting in the back of my wardrobe and I saw it today and thought it deserved to have its moment, even if it's not on me. I feel a little like cinderella waiting to go to a ball. 

Dress (Karen Millen), Shoes (Bertie), Clutch (Warehouse).

Just while I'm appreciating butterfly prints, I thought I'd share these pictures with you of a display that caught my attention at Pure in London last summer.

Butterflies can look so delicate and feminine.  They were just so eye catching and pretty, I felt compelled to take out the camera.

Softly Does It

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I had a well needed relaxing weekend and feel totally refreshed. I love when you get a chance for a weekend like that. Here's what I wore during the day. The colours and light fabrics make this look have a real soft feeling to it. I love wearing this scarf with this dress as it picks up the colour at the bottom and really pulls the look together. 

Knitted Dress (Next), Tights (Dunnes), Boots (Pennys), Belt (Market in London), Scarf (Warehouse)

Pastel Pool

I've been loving all the editorials on pastels. Although I'm dying to go pastel from head to toe, I'm just waiting for it to look a little less like winter outside. With that said, I just picked up this pastel green jumper yesterday and decided to mix it with some warmer tones. I guess you could say I'm dipping my toe in the pastel pool before I jump in. Here's a quick snap of an outfit I was was wearing today taken right as I was running out the door. Have you guys been bringing any pastels into your wardrobe at all?

Jumper (Pennys), Bag (River Island), Jeans (Topshop), Boots (Aldo)