Irish Bloggers – The Joy of Blogs

Life in your 20s versus life in your 30s

February 19, 2019December 22, 2019 by E, posted in Fashion, Irish Bloggers

Recently I was looking back at some photos of myself in my early 20s.

I felt a twinge of sadness that I’m no longer that age and more than a few regrets as I thought about things I could’ve done to improve my life and wellbeing back then.

But I’m also relieved that I’m no longer dealing with things that plagued me in my 20s, such as struggling to get by on a low income, worrying about my career prospects as well as dealing toxic friendships and dead-end relationships.

I turn 31 on Friday and so far, the first year of the 30s has been far better than all of my 20s put together.

When I was 21, I had only left Ireland once, I was friends with people who dragged me down and held me back, I was hopeless with relationships and I had no idea what to do with my life.

These days I might not get ID’d anymore when buying drink (they did it up until about 28) but I am a stronger, happier more confident person.

Here’s a look at how my life has changed for the better:

DRINKING/SOCIALISING

I used to go out and drink until I fell over or at least got very tipsy. Then I’d be up for work or college the next day no bother.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgzgTMBved/

Nowadays I drink a lot less and I prefer to go to my local than going into town.

I used to love nightclubs and predrinks but I haven’t been in a nightclub for over a year and I can’t even remember when I last did predrinks!

Of course, I have the odd session or weeknight drinks on a rare occasion but in general, I’m a lot more sensible.

CAREER

I slogged it out during the recession working in retail, admin and recruitment, sometimes working two part-time jobs at once just to pay the rent.

Once I worked 32 days in a row without a single day off!

I moved to Dublin when I was 24 but found it even more challenging here due to the high rents.

Over time, I saved up and took the plunge to do my Master’s degree in journalism, something I never thought would be possible.

alt= — Life has vastly improved since my early 20s

They say you learn more from your failures in life than your successes and for me, that is certainly true.

After doing two internships, I secured a full-time position in a great company and I’m finally earning a decent wage (enough to get by in Dublin anyway…)

alt= — I struggled in my 20s but am flourishing now.

TRAVELLING

My family didn’t go on holidays when we were kids as my parents worked all hours on our farm and we had no money.

In my 20s, I spent two summers working in America as well as city breaks and longer holidays in the last couple of years.

While I didn’t have much money for travelling in my 20s, I couchsurfed, bunked with friends and stayed in hostels and cheap motels.

I also travelled on my own several times which built up my confidence massively.

I’ve yet to do any backpacking or round-the-world trips but who knows what opportunities may come yet?!

FASHION/STYLE SENSE

My fashion and style sense really hasn’t changed that much but I’m a lot more into charity shopping and vintage clothing these days.

My style is still pretty colourful but I don’t wear heels as much (partly because I wrecked my ankle) or really short tight dresses anymore – not quite as slim as I once was either – but I’m happy regardless!

alt= — I still have this gorgeous jacket I found in a charity shop

In my early 20s, I was obsessed with labels and brands but these days my wardrobe is a mix of second-hand, vintage and high-street clothing.

My outfit below is an example of this. I was gifted this black faux fur jacket by PrettyLittleThing and I absolutely love it.

It’s a statement piece that switches up any outfit.

alt= — I still like loud statement pieces

I wore it with Topshop mom jeans, New Look boots and a t-shirt from Etsy.

My accessories are all cheap and cheerful, a vintage belt which was €1 in a charity shop, earrings from AliExpress, a Penneys necklace and a beret I bought for €4 in Topshop.

alt= — I’m less concerned about labels or brands these days

alt=<aliexpress-gold-earrings> — I’ve found my own sense of style

ADULTING

I don’t and maybe never will have a mortgage but that’s OK. I’ve been renting since I was 18 and last year, finally got a lease in my own name – sharing with a roomie obviously.

In the current rental climate, I feel very lucky to have a safe place to call home.

A lot of my friends are settling down now, getting married and having kids but I don’t feel under pressure. I would love to get married one day but for now, I’m very content with my relationship.

RELATIONSHIPS/FAMILY/FRIENDSHIPS

As I’ve matured, I’ve developed a more balanced approach to friendships and relationships.

I used to put everything into a friendship or a relationship regardless of whether that person cared for me in the same way. My self-esteem was so low that I thought I needed these people.

When my dad died suddenly in 2014, something inside me snapped and I cut ties with some toxic people. Life is too short to spend it around people who bring you down.

I don’t have lots of friends but the ones I have are reliable and I’m in a long-term relationship with someone who has been there for me through the good times but also some really tough times. He even took the photos for this post!

I’m aware that I’m still very young and my life is bound to change so much yet but I’m happy with where it is going.

If you’re struggling with any of the issues I’ve mentioned, I hope this will give you hope. And if you’re near the end of your 20s and dreading the 30s, honestly it’s nothing to be afraid of!

Outfit cost breakdown

Jacket – Prettylittlething but was gifted – Please note they did not ask me to blog about or review it but I absolutely love it!

Thank you to Burrell PR for the generous gift. You can find it here – not an affiliate link.

alt= — Happy ‘cos this jacket keeps out the wind

Jeans – €55 Topshop

Beret – €4 Topshop

Belt- €1 charity shop

Necklace -€3 Penneys

T-shirt – €15.70 Pink Space Store Etsy

Boots – €18 on sale from New Look

Earrings – €1.67

Total cost: €98.37

Thanks for reading this incredibly long post. I’m going to DCU’s Fashion Show this week and I’ll be posting about it soon.

Don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page.

Edel

Getting out of my Comfort Zone

December 30, 2018December 30, 2018 by E, posted in Fashion, Irish Bloggers

alt= — My photoshoot in St Stephen’s Green. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

I’ve always struggled with breaking out of my comfort zone. When it comes to changing job, ditching toxic friends or letting go of old relationships, I tend to struggle.

Yet every time I’ve made a major change in my life, I always ask myself “Why didn’t you do this sooner?!

As they say, hindsight is 20/20 and you can’t always predict the outcome of a risky choice.

But stubbornly remaining in a comfort zone sometimes can mask our insecurities, the thought that we don’t deserve better than the situations we find ourselves in or that we won’t find something better.

When it comes to my wardrobe, I also find it hard to break out of the comfort zone.

Now, I wear lots of colour and prints but I’m not very adventurous when it comes to trying new shapes/styles/silhouettes.

It took me ages to convert from flares/bootcut jeans to skinnies when they came in and I only bought my first pair of mom jeans this year – and I’m loving them.

One colour I really avoid is yellow. I am very fair-skinned and for ages, I thought citrus colours were not for me.

However, when I was in Barcelona, I spied this cute Kodak tee in H&M. It was yellow – but I had to have it!

I had been on the lookout for a pinafore dress and picked up this black cord one to go with it.

Once I’d put the outfit together, I realised there was a shade of yellow which did suit me – yet I’d been ruling it out for years.

alt= — This vintage bag is from a charity shop in Phibsborough and cost approx €5/6. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

I have this soft leather crossbody bag for years and I recently Google the name of the brand, Alex Valentino, and found the same one sold on Ebay for €70! And made in Italy no less!

Mine is showing signs of wear and tear but overall still in good nick.

These photos were taken by a professional photographer Gavin Woodruff who I met through Instagram.

Even though I had always wanted to get some professional shots taken for the blog, I was quite nervous about working with a photographer as I felt like a bit of an imposter.

alt=black-H&M-pinafore-dress> — Once I relaxed, I felt better. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

However, I needn’t have worried as Gavin was very helpful and provided me with lots of directions and tips on how to pose.

Taking photos in the busy surroundings of St Stephen’s Green was slightly nerve-wracking and at first, I wanted to hide in a distant corner, rather than pose in front of lots of passers-by.

alt= — Excuse my squinty face! Pic: Gavin Woodruff

Gavin encouraged me and I found once I began smiling, I relaxed a lot more.

I would advise anyone who wants to do a photo-shoot to go for it and let people stare – they will have forgotten it in five minutes.

alt= — Smiling and taking it in my stride. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

I tend to suffer from “Awkward Hands Syndrome” but Gavin advised me to put my hands on my hip or my bag or hold my sunglasses for a more relaxed natural look.

He also got me to walk, turn around and face the camera from different angles to get a variety of shots.

alt= — Taking off sunglasses. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

alt= — Here you can see my Kodak t-shirt a little better. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

What I found quite interesting is that sometimes an assertive pose, like putting your hands on your hips can make you feel more confident.

alt= — I love a good hands on hips pose! Pic: Gavin Woodruff

For me, the most difficult part of blogging is putting myself “out there”. I’ve never been a shy person but I do struggle with my self-confidence.

It’s hard to reconcile these two parts of my personality, the chatty and friendly side that many people see and the awkward and nervous side which is also a part of who I am.

alt= — These are some of my favourite shots. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

However, sometimes I’m the only one standing in my way when I refuse to leave the comfort zone and try something new or difficult.

Sometimes, attempts to try something difficult can end in upset or failure (i.e. my surfing lesson in Portugal) or for instance my three failed driving tests over a six-year period!

alt= — Sometimes leaving the comfort zone is awkward! Pic: Gavin Woodruff

We may never accomplish certain things despite our best efforts but I do believe failure is a good teacher, even if she does give the test first and the lesson after!

alt= — Mango star and moon embellished boots. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

My boots were €20 from Mango, my chains are from Penneys and Forever 21 and I bought my Raybans in Barcelona.

I love layering gold chains and I thought they came out great on camera.

alt= — ‘Baby’ necklace from Forever 21, Pisces necklace from Primark. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

alt= — Layered necklaces. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

This was definitely not my thriftiest outfit but my bag and boots were good bargains.

Pinafore dress €27.99 H&M (shop here).

Kodak t-shirt €14.99 H&M (It went on sale to €9 but it’s out of stock online )

Boots €20 on sale in Mango

Bag €6 in a charity shop

Beret about €9 from Nasty Gal

Raybans €142!! (If anyone is interested in getting a pair, I do recommend it and they come with a warranty also). They are also so clear compared to cheap sunglasses!

You can get mine for about €86/£78 from The Sunglass Hut at the moment. There are no affiliate links in this post btw.

Chains about €3 each, Forever 21 and Penneys/Primark.

Total: €225.98.

If you are interested in contacting Gavin or to see more of his work, this is his website and Instagram.

Hope you all enjoyed my final post of 2018. It has been a quiet year for my blog but I hope to devote more time to blogging in 2019.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and thank you for your support throughout the year.

Don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page.

Edel

Visiting Galway: A weekend away in the city of The Tribesmen

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 by E, posted in Irish Bloggers, Travelling Europe

I lived in Galway for almost six years so it’s surprising that it hasn’t yet featured on my blog!

Not only is it a stunningly beautiful city but the people are also very friendly and you’re guaranteed the best craic on a night out.

I find it mad that some Irish people have never been there when it’s top of the list for most tourists coming here.

I recently spent a fun-filled weekend in Galway with my boyfriend and I can’t wait to go back again.

A word of warning – we visited on a bank holiday weekend and a lot of hotels were booked up or wouldn’t take taking one-night bookings and Airbnbs are surprisingly scarce, so we were lucky to find an affordable bnb on College Road, five minutes walk from Eyre Square.

After we checked in to our accommodation, our first port of call was lunch. We headed to McCambridges, a lovely gourmet shop and restaurant on Shop Street.

McCambridges are renowned for their delicious bread and gourmet produce and our lunch didn’t disappoint. I would highly recommend the chicken and chorizo salad!

We then strolled around the city taking in the sights and in my case, window-shopping.

I nipped into Nine Crows Galway, which has to be one of my favourite shops in Galway, jampacked full of vintage goodies.

I was really taken with a pair of hexagonal sunglasses and returned the next day to buy them for €20.

Unfortunately, they seem to have gotten lost in the hustle and bustle of my recent house move 😥 I have a terrible habit of losing sunglasses, not gonna lie…

Among the other shopping delights Galway has to offer, include Public Romance, a great vintage shop and Kembali, great for jewellery and bandanas, both situated on Upper Abbeygate Street.

There are two shopping centres, the Eyre Square Centre and the Galway Shopping Centre, the Eyre Square one is the best one, with most of the usual chain shops, however, there’s no H&M or Zara in Galway.

The Spanish Arch is the place to sit and chill when the weather is nice and it’s also one of the oldest parts of the city, dating back to the 1500s.

It was a lovely sunny day and we enjoyed looking out over the water and watching a happy little dog go for a swim.

Anyone who’s ever lived in or partied in Galway will know the delights of drinking by the Sparch in summer but as we had no alcohol, we did the next best thing and headed for the pub.

Galway’s nightlife is excellent at the best of times and as it was a bank holiday weekend, the pubs were hopping in the middle of the day.

We headed for O’Connell’s on Eyre Square which is one of my favourite pubs in Galway.

Like any good Irish pub, it’s stuffed to the rafters with all kinds of memorabilia and the beer garden is one of the best in the city.

There was a wedding party in the pub so there wasn’t much room to sit but we sat outside for a while, before returning inside to another cosy corner.

After a nap back at the BnB, we headed out for dinner in Cactus Jacks Mexican restaurant, (it was Cinco de Mayo and we both love Mexican!)

Most of the good restaurants and bars are in the Latin Quarter, a lively spot where Quay Street meets the Spanish Arch.

The food was absolutely delicious and I also enjoyed a margarita for the day that was in it.

With full bellies, we took a walk down to the west end of Galway, which is probably the most “hipster” part of the city.

We popped into the Bierhaus for one but didn’t stay long due to the ‘music’ or shall I say noise the DJ was playing!

Looking for somewhere quieter, we wandered into Garavan’s on Shop Street where we remained for the rest of the night.

The next day, we headed out for breakfast, winding up at An Cupan Tae at the Spanish Arch.

This is a kitsch and cutesy cafe specialising in lots of different teas.

The tea names were a tad notions (Dreamy Creamy Breakfast Tea?!) but we had delicious breakfast sandwiches which went down a treat.

It was a hot sunny day so we headed down to Salthill after breakfast and took in the gorgeous views from the promenade (after we found parking that is).

It was sunny enough for shorts but there’s always a bit of a breeze in Galway so I was glad to have a jacket also.

alt= — Sitting on rocks at the promenade

As we had a car, we decided to spin out west to see some of the countryside.

I’m ashamed to say that I lived in Galway for so long yet never went outside the city to explore Connemara.

First port of call was Spiddal, a stunning fishing village in the heart of the Gaeltacht.

The scenery in Spiddal is lovely with a thatched cottage, old church and the old harbour among my favourite sights.

alt= — Thatched cottage in Spiddal, Co. Galway

You can go out on trips on the fishing boats from Spiddal which sounds like a great activity for a sunny day.

After a walk around the village, we had lunch in a cafe before hitting the road for Oughterard.

We went to St Brigit’s Garden in Rosscahill close to Oughterard, a traditional Celtic garden, complete with crannogs, standing stones, nature trails and beautiful flowers.

alt= — Standing stones, St Brigit’s Garden

There are four small gardens with a theme for each season, Imbolc, (Spring), Bealtaine (Summer), Lughnasa (Autumn) and Samhain (Winter).

alt= — Crannog hut complete with glass window – v authentic

It’s a lovely spot to chill out and we enjoyed being big kids, playing on some of the playground amusements!

alt= — Trying to balance on a see-saw log!

I would recommend anyone who is visiting Galway city to take time out to go out to the countryside as it’s really worth it.

Public transport isn’t the best so it’s advisable to rent a car if you do plan on leaving the city.

Hope you all enjoyed this post and if you’d like to see more travel or lifestyle content on my blog, please leave me a comment and let me know.

PS – this is not a sponsored post – we paid for everything ourselves with pleasure!

Thanks for reading and if you would like to follow me on social media, check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page.

Edel

Slogans and Logos

October 21, 2017June 13, 2018 by E, posted in autumn/winter fashion, Blogging, Casual Fashion, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, T-shirts

Once upon a time when I was a young girlo, there was nothing I thought was more stylish than an item of clothing with a huge brand name or logo across the front.

Whether it was your classic sports brand (Adidas, Nike) or dubious teen clothing labels (Susst, Nope etc), all I wanted to do was to wear my brands on my sleeve or you know, on my chest!

As time passed I realised that fashion wasn’t all about “name brands” as we loved to call them back then and more about how you express yourself through your clothing.

Recently, however, there has been somewhat of a revival for logos and slogans and suddenly, I’m sucked back in.

This was a men’s t-shirt from Bershka

I love this Pepsi t-shirt, it’s from the men’s section in Bershka and goes with everything.

While shorts season is well and truly past us now, there are many ways to wear your favourite branded t-shirt.

You can get away with it at work if you have a casual dress code, simply pop it on under a blazer and pair it with black jeans.

And if it’s chilly, layer under a bomber jacket.

Another way to dress up your logo t-shirt is by wearing it with a fitted skirt, slogan tees look great with leather or vinyl skirts.

For a casual look layer it under a denim t-shirt or biker jacket.

I bought a Levi’s tee in Spain for €25 but I wasn’t that happy with the quality.

Excuse the wrinkles – it was in my suitcase!

It’s very see-through and the logo is a bit faded already. Has anyone else had this issue with a Levis tee?

I’m wondering if mine was a fake or if it’s because I put it in the dryer?!

My personal photographer follows me everywhere 😛

I tend to buy slogan tees one size up because if they’re too tight they are unflattering on the boobs! Go looser and larger if you need to.

These are just a few slogan/logo t-shirts I’ve my eye on – let me know if you like them too.

I feel as if this “Sassy” t-shirt, €18 from Missguided was made just for me…

Pic: Missguided.com

One of my favourite vintage stores, Public Romance in Galway, is stocking these gorge “Girl Gang” tees in black and white.

I think they’d be cute with mom jeans and runners.

Crank up the sass to level 100 in this Nasty Gal “Bitch since Birth” t-shirt, I absolutely love it!

Pic: Nastygal.com

Nasty Gal is definitely the place to find a slogan tee with an extra serving of attitude – check out these two beauts.

Pic: Nastygal.com

Pic: NastyGal.com

A retro logo is just as cool as a sassy slogan, especially this Coca-Cola tee from Bershka.

Coca-Cola t-shirt. Pic: Bershka.com

The Gucci logo t-shirt sent fashionistas everywhere into a frenzy earlier this year and the high street has produced its own affordable versions of the much-coveted garment.

Check out these dupes from Bershka and River Island.

Believe in yourself t-shirt. Pic: Bershka.com

L’amour t-shirt. Pic: River Island.com

L’amour black t-shirt. Pic: River Island.com

Last but not least, this slogan t-shirt from River Island appeals to every fibre of my being.

Slogan tee. Pic: River Island.com

Hope you enjoyed this post and apologies for being MIA for so long. I’ve been very busy with an exciting new job. It’s a massive opportunity for me but I’ll still be blogging as usual.

Do you like the slogan tee trend? Leave me a comment and let me know. I know this post is slightly unseasonal but I hope to do a cosy jumper post soon – watch this space!

PS – this was not a sponsored post.

Thanks for reading and check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Scarlet Lady: Autumn/Winter Trends 2017

September 25, 2017April 3, 2018 by E, posted in autumn/winter fashion, Blogging, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Trends, Winter Fashion

It’s been a long time since I wrote a trend post and I’m really excited about this one. Having been laid up with an injury all summer, the summer trends pretty much passed me by in a blur.

I think all Irish fashionistas love autumn/winter fashion because we know we’ll always get a lot more wear out of it. A harsh reality of our climate!

Once my ankle got stronger and I was back at work one of the first things I did was walk around the city centre and visit the shops.

Might seem sad to some but I really missed window shopping and checking out the new season trends. Have a browse at some of my favourite A/W pieces in stores now.

Red

From crimson to scarlet, various shades of red are everywhere this Autumn/Winter.

Red isn’t a traditional autumn/winter colour but most people can pull it off. I haven’t worn red in years but I’m excited to add some to my A/W wardrobe.

If like me, you’re a bit cautious when it comes to red, then one key accessory is a good way to go. I love these Stradivarius boots and they’re only €29.95 – bargain!

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be back in my heels for quite some time…

If you want something a bit more daring, you can’t go wrong with these high-shine PVC Topshop boots. PVC is huge this autumn winter also so go forth and shine!

Gucci slogan dupe t-shirts are everywhere at the moment and this red River Island one is amazing.

It’s from the plus size range and is available in sizes 18-26.

This red Gucci-style embroidered bag from Stradivarius is all kinds of fab – I bought it in black and it’s one of my favourite bags yet.

I always get loads of compliments on it and was it only €19.99.

My love for biker jackets knows no end and I’m determined to get a red one this autumn.

Check out this patent biker beaut which is €68 from Missguided.

Pearl embellishment

This is probably my favourite trend this A/W.

I’ve already succumbed to this trend – see above my choker from Penneys.

Other personal faves these AMAZING pearl studded boots from &OtherStories, these pink and black Topshop clutches and a Penneys denim jacket with pearl embellishment.

This adorable pearl embellished beret is from Nasty Gal – I really like that the pearls are securely fastened in, not just sewn on.

Piercing embellishment

This is a really cool trend, with everything from jumpers to bags sporting what look like nipple rings and barbells!

This little backpack is from Penneys, FYI.

I think these embellishments look particularly good on a chunky jumper.

alt= — Cream jumper with piercing details Forever 21.

Topshop has nailed the punk look with this denim jacket and skirt set with all-over piercing embellishment. Probably not an outfit for the airport…

alt= — Piercing detail denim jacket and skirt. Pic: Topshop.com

Denim skirts

Ok bear with me, I know it’s September but the denim skirt will still be an A/W wardrobe staple.

We’ve been wearing denim skirts with bare legs all summer but you can still rock a denim skirt with boots and black tights.

Plain denim is out with sequins and fishnet diamond details taking centre stage at Topshop this A/W – perfect for all your autumn nights out.

Denim skirt with fishnet overlay. Pic: Topshop.com

Denim skirt with sequins. Pic: Topshop.com

For something a little simpler, check out this contrast panel stretch denim skirt from PLT at Asos – so cute!

alt= — Contrast panel denim skirt. Pic: Asos.com

Lace-up denim skirts are impracticality at its finest – but I can’t help liking them all the same.

An example of something I really like but wouldn’t be quite brave enough to wear!

alt= — Lace-up denim skirt. Pic: Missguided

Checks/Tweeds

If I’m honest I think this trend is a tad dull but at the same time, a brown tweed/check blazer is a great alternative to boring black for work.

It all depends on how you style it!

This long wool masculine style wool coat from Bershka looks great over a more casual outfit.

alt= — Long check coat. Pic: Bershka.com

Zara is definitely the place to go if you’re looking for a tailored piece, this double-breasted blazer is really cool.

For a slightly different take on the neverending heritage trend, try these high-waisted trousers from Topshop. The cropped cut and red thread through the middle gives them a modern twist.

The cropped leg and red thread through the middle gives them a modern twist.

PVC

Not one for the faint-hearted but I do have a serious love of all things PVC. These Jourdan Dunn for Missguided Londunn trousers are super cool.

alt= — Lace-up PVC trousers. Pic: Missguided.com

For an equally bold look, there’s always PVC red leggings.

I think I’d feel like such a rockstar in these ones from Bershka, I could almost forget about my ankle!

alt= — Red PVC leggings. Pic: Bershka.com

Another high-shine piece I’m loving are these sassy little shorts with scallop details from Missguided.

Gorgeous for a night out and they come in gold and turquoise too – what more could you want?

alt= — Shiny high waisted shorts. Pic: Missguided.com

Hope you’ve enjoyed this post- I certainly had fun “researching” and writing it.

Leave me a comment and let me know which A/W trend is your favourite.

Thanks for reading and check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Denim Daze: Why we should embrace the return of denim

July 26, 2017August 7, 2017 by E, posted in Blogging, Fashion, Festival Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Jackets, Online Shopping, Outerwear, S/S 17 Fashion, Sales, Shopping, Skirts, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Thrifty Fashion, Trends

When you think of denim clothing and accessories, what comes to mind?

B*witched at their finest? Line dancing? Or THAT iconic Britney and Justin outfit?

alt= — Name a more iconic duo I’ll wait. Pic: Tumblr.com

alt= — Aaliyah was too fab for that outfit. Pic: Tumblr.com

If that trip down memory lane is giving you denim-induced PTSD, I’m sorry. But denim is back and trust me it’s much better this time around.

Denim has been gracing the catwalks this season with everyone from Philip Lim to Victoria Beckham hopping on the bandwagon.

Chloe denim boots. Pic: Polyvore.com

Victoria Beckham patchwork jumper. Pic: Polyvore.com

Marc Jacobs patchwork bag. Pic: Polyvore.com

In my humble opinion, the safest way to work this trend is a statement accessory and keep the rest of your outfit simple.

This cute embellished one from Shein.com is only €17, total bargain!

alt= — Quilted denim bag. Pic: Shein.com

If you prefer your denim with more attitude, then check out this dark denim “Not Your Babe” bag from Skinnydip.

alt= — Slogan denim bag. Pic: Skinnydip.com

Or if you want something much simpler, check out this light blue Miss Selfridge bucket bag, on sale from €40 to €21.

alt= — Denim bucket bag. Pic: MissSelfridge.com

If you are looking for a Fenty X Puma dupe, then these denim trainers from Shein.com could be just the ticket. Currently reduced from €57 to €35.

If I could wear a heel right now, I’d drop everything for these adorable yet versatile denim mules from Nasty Gal.

Fraying, floral embroidery and a low heel, they have it all! I would definitely be packing them in my suitcase for holidays if I could.

alt= — Denim mules with floral embroidery. Pic: NastyGal.com

One of my favourite summer shoe brands has to be Soludos for their espadrilles. Soludos are available from Asos and Shopbop and while they are pricey, they appear to be good quality.

They’re significantly cheaper on Shopbop.com but I’m not sure how much delivery costs.

FYI, Asos is offering 20 percent off selected shoes at the moment.

Denim patchwork espadrilles. Pic: Soludos.com

Denim slip-on mules. Pic: Soludos.com

I’m not a huge fan of all the denim heeled boots around, I think they look a bit trampy (Gabby from Love Island I’m talking to you).

Denim heels are hard to pull off but I do like these sandals from Nasty Gal, I think they’d be cute with a plain slip dress.

FYI, Nasty Gal are currently offering 50 percent off everything, including sale.

alt= — Denim frayed heels. Pic: NastyGal.com

If denim accessories aren’t for you, then you can’t beat the classics, like a statement denim jacket, shorts or a denim mini skirt.

I haven’t worn a denim mini in years but they are making a big comeback (Amber from Love Island knows what I mean) and these are a few I really like.

Floral denim skirt. Pic: Topshop.com

Floral white denim skirt. Pic: Topshop.com

Ripped denim skirt. Pic: Topshop.com

Inject some sass into your shorts, with an embellished pair like these fishnet layer ones from Topshop or this lace-up pair from Nasty Gal.

Lace-up denim shorts. Pic: NastyGal.com

Fishnet layer denim shorts. Pic: Topshop.com

An embellished denim jacket is yet another item I have to add to my wardrobe.

I think this River Island one is probably the most festival-worthy item I’ve seen in a long time – what do you think?

alt= — Embellished denim jacket. Pic: River Island.com

I’m also completely crushing on these beauties, a Daisy Street medium blue denim jacket from Asos, a light blue denim with a graffiti style print from Nasty Gal and this perfect pink denim jacket with a frill embellishment.

UPDATE: I ordered the pink frill one but it’s very short and I prefer my denim jackets a lot looser. The colour was also more of a peach than pink so I returned it.

Daisy Street lace-up jacket. Pic: Asos.com

Rose print jacket. Pic: NastyGal.com

Pink frill jacket. Pic: Asos.com

Hope you guys enjoyed this denim edit and are feeling inspired to introduce some more denim into your wardrobes. Let me know what you think – love it or leave it?

I hope to do a festival post soon and I’m off to Biarritz next month so I will have some holiday photos and hopefully, some outfit posts coming up.

Things are going much better for me, my ankle is finally healing so I’m very happy and relieved about that.

Thanks for reading as always and don’t forget to check out my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter.

Edel

Baywatch and bad tan lines: 10 of 2017’s hottest swimsuits

May 29, 2017July 27, 2017 by E, posted in 90s, Blogging, Designers, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Online Shopping, S/S 17 Fashion, Shopping, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Swimwear, swimwear

Fun fact about me: I learned to swim at the age of 24 after being terrified of water for 16 years. Nowadays I’m still not the best swimmer but I’m hoping that I will have sufficiently recovered from my injury to allow a dip in the ocean on holidays.

Every year I write a swimwear post and it’s always one of my most popular annual posts, so this year I’m going to do two. This post will be dedicated to one-piece swimsuits and I’ll have another on bikinis coming soon.

I’m loving the denim/chambray trend that’s everywhere at the moment and I have a particular soft spot for this denim-effect swimsuit from Vavavoom.ie. I love the lace-up side details and scoop back also and at €26.99, it’s a pretty good price for a swimsuit. Vavavoom offer next day delivery to the UK and Ireland for €2.99 which is pretty awesome!

UPDATE: I ordered this and it was not flattering on me. It’s definitely not for anyone bigger than a B-cup, it squashed my boobs flat!

alt= — Chambray swimsuit. Pic: Vavavoom.ie

Oh, I loved this River Island one-piece initially. It beckoned me in all it’s green iridescent glory..then I realised it had a thong back. Nothing wrong with that but not for me. If I were 18 and going to Magaluf then maybe 😛

alt= — Green swimsuit. Pic: River Island.com

Despite this I still love RI swimwear, just look at this bandana print one-piece.

alt= — Bandana print swimsuit. Pic: River Island.com

It’s safe to say, Zara swimwear is never anything short of glorious, can we please take a minute for this beautiful purple floral one-piece with cross-over straps?

alt= — Purple floral swimsuit. Pic: Zara.com

Zara is embracing the Baywatch trend with these incredible Baywatch-themed swimsuits, I really want one!

Baywatch swimsuit. Pic: Zara.com

Lifeguard swimsuit. Pic: Zara.com

Penneys had an amazing red Baywatch-style suit at the start of the year for only €6 but there must have been some issue with it as it disappeared from my local Penneys never to be seen again. *sobs quietly*

UPDATE: I tracked it down in Primark in Newry for £4 so that’s part of my summer swimwear sorted.

It will look great with my orthopaedic boot, I just know it…

Side-ties are one of the biggest swimwear trends this summer and although they’re bound to lead to weird tan lines/burn marks I love them.

This gorgeous pink swimsuit from Pretty Little Thing comes in at just under €25.

alt= — Pink side-tie swimsuit. Pic: Prettylittlething.com

For a Versace look on a Primark budget, check out this black one-piece with gold chain straps. It’s only €27 from Pretty Little Thing, what are you waiting for?! It was out of stock for ages but I’ve managed to find one. Also available in white.

Chain strap swimsuit. Pic: Prettylittlething.com

Metallics look amazing in summer and every time I’ve passed by &OtherStories‘ window on Grafton Street, I’m drawn to this gorgeous shiny silver swimsuit.

At €49 it’s quite expensive but a cheaper alternative is this iridescent purple swimsuit from Missguided for just under €34. Perfect for the all the mermaid wannabes out there!

Mermaid swimsuit. Pic: Missguided.com

Silver swimsuit. Pic: &OtherStories.ie

I hope you all enjoyed this post and are looking forward to the next installation. I really love swimwear despite not going away that often.

I’m looking forward to bringing you the bikini post and until then check out my Pinterest swimwear board for more inspiration.

Hope you all enjoyed this post, leave me a comment below and let me know.

Thanks for reading and if you would like to follow me on social media, check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Flat shoe frolics

May 20, 2017July 10, 2017 by E, posted in Accessories, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Online Shopping, Shoes, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Thrifty Fashion

I’m currently laid up with a broken ankle after an accident involving a seven-foot fall off a ladder onto concrete. This was followed by a 13 hour wait in A & E and a five day wait for surgery to put me back together.

But I’ll stop the “woe-is-me” diatribe now… I’m very lucky that it wasn’t a lot worse!

The day before my accident, I was enjoying myself browsing summer shoes in town.

From sliders to espadrilles to trainers, there are so many cute flat shoes available at the moment. So although I won’t be wearing two shoes for quite some time, here’s a post on summer shoes for all you lucky people with two working ankles.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles are Spanish for summer (maybe that’s not true) and they are always a staple in my summer wardrobe.

Penneys have some really nice espadrilles right now in gingham, denim and tropical prints.

However, I tried on a denim pair and my normal size didn’t fit right or feel very comfortable. If you are looking for long-lasting espadrilles, maybe give Penneys a miss.

alt= — Tropical print and gingham espadrilles. Pic: Primark.com

Asos shoes are generally good quality and I love these black espadrilles scattered with tiny plastic flowers.

At €56, they are pricey but check out my online shopping hacks post for tips on getting a discount.

alt= — Embellished espadrilles. Pic: Asos.com

Asos stock Soludos espadrilles which are one of my favourite summer shoe brands.

You can even buy two packs of Asos’ own brand espadrilles from Asos if you really really love your espadrilles!

You can buy espadrilles with a slight wedge for a bit of height or lace-up styles but I like the simple slip-on flat style the best.

alt= — Soludos denim espadrilles. Pic: C21.com

For the perfect summer holiday espadrilles it has to be this pair from Bershka.

alt= — Bershka espadrilles. Pic: Bershka.com

I love the nautical stripes and adorable gold design, I can almost see myself strolling the sands of Biarritz in them. Life consists of hopping on crutches and lying down right now…

Runners

I love finding comfy runners in cute summery shades, the day before my accident I bought pastel blue suede trainers from Penneys.

The material makes them look more expensive than their very purse-friendly price tag of €15. They are also available in pink.

Several pairs of runners caught my eye in Penneys including this holographic silver pair, also only €15.

alt= — Silver trainers. Pic: Primark.com

If I said “denim shoes”, you’d probably reply with “Get the fuck out” but bear with me. Denim shoes are having a moment. Take these cute embellished runners from Missguided, for example.

alt= — Embroidered denim runners. Pic: Missguided.com

They are also available in white and I’m a big fan. Embellishment isn’t just for jackets, you know!

alt= — White embellished trainers. Pic: Missguided.com

Sliders

Sliders are absolutely HUGE this summer, there is no escaping them.

I’m not sold on all the fluffy styles that seem to be very popular but there are some that I do like.

alt= — Fluffy sliders from the River Island High Summer press day

I know for a fact my amazing orthopaedic surgeon would wince at these silver backless sliders and I probably won’t be wearing them any time soon but how cute are they?

alt= — Silver frill sliders. Pic: Bershka.com

I also like these white ones featuring a lip design from Missguided.

alt= — White sliders with lips. Pic: Missguided.com

If you aren’t already following O-Mighty/OmWeekend on Insta, then you need to get following, their denim sliders are UNREAL.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTwYKrRDXgF/?taken-by=omweekend

They also have adorable satin sliders in oriental prints, one of this summer’s biggest trends.

Frill details and western-style buckles are really popular slider trends this summer.

Sandals

I personally don’t like flip-flops very much and will always go for a pair of sandals where possible.

I know this post is already overloaded with denim shoes but I love these denim bow Miss KG sandals from Topshop.

alt= — Denim cork sandals. Pic: Topshop.com

To be honest, most of these sandals are just pimped slides.

Mango have an amazing range of summer slides and sandals this year, check out these lilac slip-on beauts with frayed details and these flower applique sandals.

alt= — Lilac slip on shoes. Pic: Mango.com

It’s hard to finish this post because there are so many gorgeous shoes I would love to include in it!

For now, stylish footwear (and any kind of style) will be taking a back seat in my life. I’m currently hobbling around in a giant orthopaedic boot, taking precarious showers perched on a stool and taking an assortment of painkillers everywhere I go.

Hope you all enjoyed this post, leave me a comment below and let me know.

Thanks for reading and if you would like to follow me on social media, check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Capsule Wardrobe – What to bring on a sun holiday

April 29, 2017September 26, 2017 by E, posted in Blogging, Fashion, Holidays, Irish Bloggers, S/S 17 Fashion, Shopping, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Thrifty Fashion, Travel, Travelling Europe

I’m not a very organised person and often pack for holidays the night before I go. (This could also be down to the fact that I like a spontaneous trip..)

But for once in my life, I’ve booked holidays A LONG time in advance and I’m already outfit planning for it. I haven’t been on a proper holiday in almost two years and I’m really happy to have the chance to go away.

Last summer, I was working Monday to Friday in an internship and working a part-time job at the weekends. It was zero craic…

But this year, I’m going away for an entire week to Biarritz and San Sebastian and there’s no way I’m paying for a check-in bag.

10kg is PLENTY for this outfit-repeating gal!

I’ve already put together a rail of items to bring and hopefully there will be some space left for new purchases 😉

Looking through the clothes I already have, I realised I don’t really need many new items.

So far, I have one light summery jacket, a pair of white jeans, a playsuit, a dress, a skirt, five pairs of shorts, a bikini, two one-piece swimsuits, two t-shirts, one camisole top, one dressy off the shoulder top and two crop tops. All of these pieces mix and match pretty well together.

I may bring another bikini or substitute one of the swimsuits for another one, we’ll see.

Holidays are a good time to experiment with colours you don’t normally wear, for instance I normally steer clear of yellow as I’m very fair-skinned and it doesn’t suit me. However, I love these fluorescent yellow shorts for a holiday and have tops with yellow detail to match.

I don’t wear a lot of white or cream either, but white looks way better in sunshine so I’ve included some white and cream tops to wear with my blue denim shorts.

If you’re going on a sun holiday, casual clothes are more important than fancy clothes, so bring more casual dresses, shorts, skirts, t-shirts and swimwear. Hence, my five pairs of shorts!

Leave your heels at home and bring a nice pair of neutral sandals for night-time. For day time, bring another pair of sandals or flip-flops for the beach and a lightweight pair of runners for exploring.

Heels take up too much room, they’re an awkward shape to pack and your feet may swell on holidays making them even more uncomfortable! (Haha jokes on me I broke my ankle a month after this and spent my holiday in a moonboot).

You can bring a couple of nice outfits for going out to dinner or a night out but try and bring items that double up as daytime wear also.

For instance, I’m bringing a stripy loose -fit playsuit and a floral dress. These will work just as well during the day, unlike a tight bodycon dress or sequin mini-skirt.

alt= — The terrace complemented my dinner outfit.

I have included my lilac faux leather mini-skirt but the rest of my clothes are cotton or cotton-mix to stay cool.

When going to the airport, pick something to wear that you can utilise in your holiday wardrobe also.

For instance, I usually wear a light jacket, a t-shirt, jeans and light runners. Comfortable but easy to shed a layer once you get there. You should always aim to wear your heaviest or bulkiest items, i.e. jeans and runners to keep your suitcase light.

The first time I ever went on a girl’s holiday to Turkey, I went mad and bought loads of new things, several pairs of heels, three bikinis and loads of going out clothes.

Apart from the shoes I barely wore any of the items again. I was only there for three or four days..mad or what?!

One pieces are great as they double up as a bodysuit with shorts.

You’ll need to leave room in your case for underwear, socks, PJ’s and a small handbag for going out.

I always bring a tote bag to throw all my essentials into, i.e. purse, passport, cosmetic bag, camera etc.

This may not be everyone’s idea of a “capsule” wardrobe as it already contains 19 items before I add shoes but I am going away for a full week,

If I decide to leave anything out, it will probably be some of the dressier items.

With three pairs of shoes, it takes me up to 22 items in total but I will be wearing one pair on the plane.

Let me know your thoughts on packing for holidays, do you stick to a capsule wardrobe or not? I’ll be putting up a swimwear post soon so keep your eyes peeled.

Thanks for reading and if you would like to follow me on social media, check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Wardrobe Transitions – Spring to Summer

April 19, 2017April 20, 2017 by E, posted in Accessories, Blogging, Fashion, Handbags, Irish Bloggers, Online Shopping, Shopping, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Thrift Shopping

Is your wardrobe overflowing but you still find yourself wearing the same jeans and jumper combos over and over again?

It’s said we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time and I’m definitely guilty of this. At work, I’m usually wearing a pair of black jeans or black leather trousers and a blouse and at the weekend, I’m in blue jeans and a jumper or my PJ’s…

I have so many other items in my wardrobe that don’t get rotated often so on Easter Sunday I decided to wear something slightly different.

The weather was nice and I found a pair of Levi’s cut-off’s I’d bought for €2 in a charity shop over winter.

I rummaged around for a pair of black tights and added my Guns ‘n’ Roses band t-shirt, River Island boots and my satin blue bomber jacket.

Voila, I had a really cute outfit which didn’t suit the occasion theme whatsoever but at least it wasn’t a jumper and jeans!

A brown belt, simple black choker and my pretty floral bag from Spitalfields Market completed the look.

I liked this outfit so much that I wore it again the next day with runners when I was at the National Botanic Gardens.

Not only do I wear the same clothes over and over (#outfitrepeater) but I also tend to use the same handbag even though I own approximately 20 bags.

Although I really just want to be Stormzy’s mum and have 100 bags… (Stormzy fans will know what I’m on about!)

Shoes are the same, I own a crazy amount of shoes and boots, yet I’m always in one of two pairs of runners. My boots looked way better with this outfit and suited the outfit “theme” more.

Was there ever a less Easter-y outfit?!

It got me thinking how many other items are in my wardrobe that I could wear more often? At this time of the year, it’s a good idea to reassess what’s in your wardrobe.

These are some my favourite items for this time of the year.

1. Leather jacket

Stylish, practical and a plain black one is always fashionable. My one is floral and loud however…

2. Ghillie shoes or loafers

Time to let your feet breathe. I was bravely wearing loafers in January like an idiot yet I have barely worn them outside the office in the past few months.

3. A gilet

You can begin retiring your bulkier jackets and use gilets to stay cosy during the chilly spring evenings.

4. White jeans

White jeans are the ultimate summery look and although they’re a pain in the arse to keep clean, they are a really simple wardrobe update.

5. Patterned trousers or jeans

Leave your blue and black jeans aside and try a patterned pair or a different colour for a change.

6. Shorts or skirts with black tights

It’s definitely mild enough to get your cute shorts and skirts out of the wardrobe and dress them up with boots or go casual with your favourite runners.

7. Printed playsuit or jumpsuit

These are a perfect alternative to your jeans, you can wear tights with a playsuit until it gets properly warm.

8. Camisoles over a plain white long sleeve top.

This is one of my favourite outfit looks and recently I’ve been layering dressy tops that I used to keep for nights out over a white top for a cute casual look at home or at work.

9. Suede jacket

If you don’t have a leather jacket, a suede jacket is perfect for a spring/summer evening cover-up. I love this brown fringe one from Tola Vintage, great for festivals.

I’ve decided to add a total at the end of my outfit posts to let you know exactly how much my thrifty outfits really cost.

This one was a little more expensive as the boots are real leather but overall it is still quite good value.

Outfit Cost

Belt- Charity shop €1.

Shorts- Charity shop €2.

Jacket- Gifted from @bomberjacketgirls.

Boots- €45 on sale from €90 River Island.

Choker- €3.50 for set of two in Penneys.

Tights- €2 Penneys.

Bag- £12/€14 Spitalfields Market.

T-shirt- £15/€18 Missguided.

Total= €85.50.

PS- the jacket was a gift but I’m not being paid to promote it.

Hope you guys liked this look and the tips on transitional dressing. Leave me a comment below and let me know.

Thanks for reading as always and click the links to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

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