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Best January sale buys under €30

January 12, 2019January 26, 2019 by E, posted in Fashion

January is here and purse strings are tighter than a noose. For the majority of people, it’s a month of cutting back and spending as little as possible.

One year, I did a no new clothes challenge and I fully intended on doing it again this year until I got a tax refund and my resolve weakened!

I’ve been browsing the sales recently and here are some of the best buys under €30 I’ve found.

New Look

The snakeskin trend isn’t going anywhere and I’m quite partial to these boots, €29.99 from New Look.

KLAXON: They are now down to €18 so I bought a pair in a five. They pinch my toes a little but the only six left were discoloured and a bit big for me!

alt=snakeskin-boots> — Snakeskin boots. Pic: NewLook.com

KLAXON: They are now down to €18 so I bought a pair in a five. They pinch my toes a little but the only six left were discoloured and a bit big for me!

Topshop

Topshop Jervis is probably my favourite place to browse as the merchandising is always amazing, they’ve a huge range of stock, including a good vintage selection and they even have a Nine Crows concession now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrfgXCRHRC5/

Yesterday, I picked up this little hat for €4 reduced from €20. I’d been on the lookout for a leather look beret and I couldn’t leave it behind!

alt= — Leather look beret. Pic: Topshop.com

There are lots of other berets reduced to €4, including this adorable tartan one.

alt=<tartan-beret> — Tartan beret. Pic: Topshop.com

Another gorgeous bargain from Topshop is this stunning strapless dress.

I don’t know if it would suit my body type but it looks amazing. Reduced from €40 to €20.

alt= — Snakeprint dress. Pic: Topshop.com

Mango

I honestly think Mango is possibly the most fashion-forward high street store, even more so than Zara.

These retro style bags were very popular last season and this pearl one is now just €19.99, reduced from €49.99.

Word of warning, these bags are quite heavy before you even put anything into them!

Pearl bag. Mango.com

There were two pairs of cowboy-style boots from Mango I wanted to include but they were outside the €30 budget!

Bershka

Bershka and all of the Inditex shops (Zara, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti) are always a good shout for sale bargains, as they tend to stagger their reductions gradually.

This cute vinyl dress looks great layered over a light jumper or polo-neck for daytime or by itself with heels for a night out. Reduced from €35.99 to €17.99.

Another good buy coming in at €27.99 down from €39.99 is this cosy shearling and cord jacket.

Asos

Asos are currently offering up to 70% off in their sale and they have some really good jeans on sale.

I’m loving mom jeans lately and these Vero Moda ones come in at just under €25, down from €41. Shop in sterling and you’ll get them for just over €20.

alt= — Vero Moda mom jeans. Pic: Asos.com

Two other pairs that both come in at the €25 mark are these Oasis straight leg jeans reduced from €50 and these funky Glamorous jeans with frayed seam details down from €40.

Frayed seam jeans. Pic: Asos.com

Straight leg jeans. Pic: Asos.com

With The Spice Girls set to make a comeback in 2019, chunky trainers are still in style.

Channel your inner Baby Spice in these holographic bad boys reduced from €50 down to €18.

alt= — Chunky white trainers. Pic: Asos.com

Stradvarius

There are some really nice pieces in the Stradivarius sale including this faux leather zip skirt.

It comes in dark purple, beige and brown and is reduced to €12.99 from €19.99.

alt=<faux-leather-skirt> — Faux leather skirt. Pic: Stradivarius.com

Another item I really like is this grey long-sleeve t-shirt for only €5.99, reduced from €12.99.

Long sleeve tees are great for this time of the year, you can layer them under a gilet or jumper for extra warmth.

alt= — Grey long sleeve t-shirt. Pic: Stradivarius.com

Office

It would be a crime to finish this blog post without including some gorgeous heels because I’m a shoe freak.

I was recently browsing in Office and they have loads of discounts.

These lilac beauties are real leather and only €17 down from a whopping €78 while these studded mules are €30 down from €68.

Studded mule shoes. Pic: Office.co.uk

Lilac high heel shoes. Pic: Office.co.uk

And these western-style boots with silver piping are only €30 down from €56.

alt= — Western style ankle boots. Pic: Office.co.uk

I’m quite conscious that many people won’t be spending money at the moment but if you are on the lookout for some bargains, I hope this has provided some inspiration.

I try and show a range of products from different shops in these posts and there are no affiliate links. Let me know if you would like to see more or less of these posts.

Next week I’m going to the River Island Spring/Summer press day and I’m also hoping to do some thrifty homeware posts this year.

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

Edel

Thrifty challenge: Ten swimsuits and bikinis all under €20

July 22, 2018 by , posted in Fashion, Swimwear

Last summer, I went a bit stir-crazy and spent most of my time shopping online for swimwear while I was laid up with a broken ankle.

I bought several swimsuits and bikinis but didn’t even wear all of them on holidays.

For this year’s swimwear post, I thought I’d focus on more thrifty swimwear and see if I could find five swimsuits and five bikinis all under €20.

Asos is always one of my favourite places to buy swimwear as they have really original styles.

My first pick is this stunning palm print swimsuit from Pimkie at Asos. It is on sale and comes in at a very affordable €13.98 if you shop in sterling.

It features a cross back and has removable cups, great for those who wear a larger bra size and need some support.

alt=< palm-print-swimuit> — Palm swimsuit Pimkie at Asos. Pic: Asos.com

Girls who have larger boobs will know the struggle of trying to find affordable and cute swimsuits that also offer support.

This is something I’ve always struggled with when buying bikinis and swimsuits as I need to take about two sizes up in a bikini top and find myself falling out of some one-pieces!

I was pleasantly surprised to see this pretty pink snakeprint swimsuit available on sale for just €19.36 down from €40 from Asos.

Shop in sterling and you’ll get it for a reasonable €15.66.

It is available in sizes DD to G and has underwire support and a clasp at the back.

alt= — Pink snakeprint swimsuit. Wolf and Whistle at Asos. Pic: Asos.com

And this two-tone beauty from Missguided is currently reduced from €27 to €17.

It is perfect for lazing by the pool or popping a pair of denim shorts over for heading out.

alt= — Black and whiter halterneck swimsuit. Pic: Missguided.com

Tall gals will love this gorgeous Versace style chain print suit from Boohoo.com which flatters long lean figures.

alt=<black-chain-print-swimsuit> — Chain print swimsuit. Pic: Boohoo.com

It was €24 but with a 20% off promotion, it’s only €19. Boohoo also do a similar style in white for only €11.

Versace style prints are one of the biggest trends in swimwear this year and I absolutely love the look.

Bandeau swimsuits are really flattering on smaller busts and petite figures and this lime green one from PrettyLittleThing is only €6.

If lime green isn’t your thing, it also comes in black with white polka dots.

alt=<lime-green-swimsuit> — Lime green bandeau swimsuit. Pic: PrettyLittleThing.com

Donning a bikini can be daunting for many of us but finding a shape and style that suits your body is one way to feel more confident.

This Versace print gold and black beauty from PrettyLittleThing comes in at an affordable €12. It also comes in white and red variations.

alt= — Gold and black print bikini. Pic: Prettylittlething.com

Last year, I found a gorgeous little green sequin bikini on PrettyLittleThing and fell in love with it.

This year, I’ve spotted very similar sequin bikinis in green and multi-coloured versions in Penneys, €17 for the entire set.

These were launched in April so I’m not sure if they are left in many stores but I did see them in Penneys on O’Connell Street in Dublin.

Frills and flounces look great on petite girls and this green set from Missguided at Asos is just the ticket if you like detailed bikinis.

It’s €17.98 for the entire set in euro but only €14.55 if you use sterling.

I love the bottoms as there are a lot of super skimpy high cut styles out at the moment but this one offers a little more coverage.

alt= — Green bikini, Missguided at Asos. Pic: Asos.com

For those who require more support than a triangle top can offer (*puts hand up*), Asos have an adorable pink bikini top with black spots in sizes DD to F for only €9.68.

It has thick supportive straps and a clasp on the back. It also comes in a triangle top style.

alt= — Pink and black bikini. Pic: Asos.com

You can match this with either a thong or high-cut tanga bottom, depending on how daring you feel, €5.53 and €6.91 respectively.

Shop in sterling and nab the lot for €13.44 (with tanga bottom) or €12.32 (with thong).

Bandeau bikinis are great if you want to avoid tan lines and polka dots are huge this summer.

This adorable red and white one comes in just under budget at €19.58 from Bershka, reduced from €27.98.

alt=<red-and-white-polka-dot-bikini> — Red and white polka dot bikini. Pic: Bershka.com

Hope you all enjoyed this post, it was a bit of a challenge to hunt down nice swimsuits and bikinis under €20 but it was also enjoyable.

If you’d like to see more thrifty challenge posts on my blog, leave me a comment and let me know.

The Blog Awards Ireland 2018 are now open for entries so if you enjoy reading my blog, please give me a nomination here.

PS- this is not a sponsored post and there are no affiliate links – all my own choices. For more inspiration, visit my Pinterest swimwear board.

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

Edel

Spring Style Trends 2018: Polka dots, western style and pastels!

March 17, 2018April 3, 2018 by E, posted in Fashion, Online Shopping

I’m hesitant to say it’s springtime following the snowmageddon at the start of March and even though it’s now St Patrick’s Day, it’s still chilly out there!

But while it may still feel like winter outdoors, in sartorial terms we’re definitely well into spring.

There’s loads of gorgeous spring and summer clothing already in the shops and this year’s trends include a mash-up of polka dots, pastels and western style.

Let’s take a look at some of this year’s hot trends according to me, The Sunday Times Style magazine and other informed sources.

Polka dots

Who doesn’t love polka dots? They’re cute, feminine and way more fun than a boring plain blouse.

This polka dot knot front top is only €20 in the Topshop sale down from €40. Available in tall, petite and medium, sizes 8 to 16.

This frill flouncy wrap around blouse from H&M is another sale bargain, currently €13.99. Stick a camisole underneath for work or wear by itself for a night out.

alt= — H&M frill polka dot blouse. Pic: H&M.com

Missguided have a seriously cute selection of polka dot items, from stylish co-ords, to dainty tea dresses and even polka dot sandals.

I’m not a big fan of the whole athleisure aesthetic or loungewear but I’m loving this polka tracksuit set.

The tracksuit top is currently 40% off and is now €26, while the joggers are €18.

alt= — Polka dot tracksuit top. Pic: Missguided.com

Slip dresses look even more adorable with a polka dot print. This one is €30.

alt= — White polka dot slip dress. Pic: Missguided.com

I think a polka dot print looks best in monochrome, however, there are loads of fun colourful options out there too.

Red, navy and blue with white polka dots are all great and pink with black polka dots is a classic!

This playsuit would look fab with a light wash denim jacket and black boots, ideal for a festival.

alt=<Red polka dot playsuit> — Red polka dot playsuit, Glamourous at Asos. Pic: Asos.com

Western

I was watching Blazing Saddles last night so I had lots of inspiration for writing about this particular trend!

I was living for the inspo, from the Gucci saddlebag to the horse’s tack!

Don’t worry, I won’t be advising you to wear chaps or ten-gallon cowboy hats!

Think embroidered yokes on blouses, silver buckle details and fringing. All the fringing.

Again, another trend that you can incorporate into a festival outfit later in the year.

I’m a big fan of my trusty cowboy ankle boots, they go with everything, even the snow!

This little bag from Miss Selfridge is just gorgeous, €35 in stores but get it for about €28 if you buy in sterling from Asos.

alt= — Crossbody bag with silver buckle. Pic: Asos.com

While you can’t beat a Western ankle boot, these buckle heels from Asos are all kinds of cool.

I have a similar style of shoe from Penneys and they are one of the most versatile and comfy pairs of heels I’ve ever worn but they’re in bits now. These Asos ones are definitely going on my list!

alt= — Western buckle heel. Pic: Asos.com

And this little t-shirt is a great way to inject some wild west style into your outfit and still keep it casual.

I bought this little white t-shirt from Mango recently, it looks great with a denim shirt and only cost €7.

The classic western look of course, is a denim or leather jacket and some bitchin’ ankle boots.

These distressed Free People boots with oversized buckle are a dream but at €242, I’ll be looking for a (much) cheaper dupe.

alt= — Western ankle boots. Pic: Free People.com

River Island footwear is always on-trend and good quality, these suede and leather bad boys are only €65.

alt= — Suede and leather ankle boots. Pic: River Island.com

Throw on a jacket like this studded leather look beaut from Asos for €51 and you’re set.

alt= — Western-style jacket. Pic: Asos.com

Pastels

And now for a totally different look, pretty pastels in every shade of the rainbow.

Lilac continues to be popular again this spring, I’m loving this released hem lilac mini from River Island. €20 in sale at the moment.

alt= — Lilac skirt. Pic: River Island.com

This gorgeous linen mix suit from Mango is beautiful.

This long-sleeve colour-block pastel t-shirt is perfect for layering. €16 from Asos.com.

alt= — Colour block pastel t-shirt. Pic: Asos.com

Pinafore dresses

I went through a phase of wearing these during college and I’m delighted to see them coming back again.

They suit all shapes and sizes and you can wear them anywhere.

alt= — Black denim pinafore dress. Pic: Nasty Gal.com

Mix it up with faux leather and denim styles or keep it simple and chic. Cute AF.

Petite denim pinafore dress. New Look at Asos. Pic: Asos.com

Faux leather pinafore dress. Mango at Asos. Pic: Asos.com

Berets and baker boy caps

On the accessories front, berets and baker boy caps are still hugely popular. I still haven’t gotten a baker boy hat but I’m determined to be rocking one soon.

Fuschia beret. Pic: Pretty Little Thing.com

Vinyl baker boy hat. Pic: River Island.com

My beret below is from Nasty Gal. I was really impressed with the delivery, I got my order on a Saturday!

Hope you all enjoyed this post, trend posts are a favourite of mine.

FYI, this isn’t a sponsored post, all items displayed are my own personal choices.

Do you like these spring trends? Leave me a comment and let me know.

As always you can check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Christmas Party Style: My 2017 edit

December 9, 2017December 6, 2019 by E, posted in Christmas, Fashion

It’s THAT time of the year again. Christmas is coming, the geese aren’t the only ones who’ve gotten fat, (I’ve had too many hot chocolates), and my shopping list is getting longer by the minute.

I’m currently writing this reclining in bed after a night on the tiles at my own Christmas party.

Here is my round-up of some of the best festive partywear of 2017.

SEQUINS

I think most people have a love/hate affair with sequins but Christmas is the one time of the year (apart from festivals) when you can go head to toe sequins if that’s your thing.

My first pick is from Asos. This stunning green sequin midi dress from TFNC is just gorgeous and I actually bought it myself.

green sequin dress — Green sequin dress. Pic: asos.com

I got this altered in the Alteration Centre in Dublin as it was way too long for me. I got about four inches taken off so it now sits on the knee on me.

It cost €24 to have it altered and it was reduced from €87 to €61.50 in an Asos partywear promotion. So, with the alterations, I ended up spending quite a bit but I know I will wear it loads.

I managed to wear heels (low ankle boots) and paired with my favourite embellished black bag.

One small thing I did notice is that every time I tried it on, sequins fall off but not in huge numbers.

I love the figure-hugging yet not tight fit and sweetheart neckline and I got so many compliments on it last night.

If I were able to wear heels, I’d team it with my turquoise iridescent sandals but sadly, my ankle isn’t up to that at the moment.

Another little sequin beauty I fell for was this stunning statement mini dress from Nasty Gal.com.

Unfortunately, this dress seems to be low in stock on both the UK and IE sites.

This dress is €90, however, Nasty Gal is offering 24% off everything meaning you can snap it up for €68.40 at the moment. They’re also doing free delivery, FYI.

: Lost in Music sequin dress. Pic: NastyGal.com

Also in the promotion was this slinky star print sequin dress. It’s very elegant and looks really high-end.

This slip dress is €60 normally but you can get it for €45.60 today.

alt= — Nasty Gal star slip dress. Pic: NastyGal.com

This At First Light multi-coloured sequin and velvet beauty is another Nasty Gal fave.

It’s a really simple v-neck style that would suit most body shapes and with 24% discount, you can get it for €68.40.

Multi-coloured sequin and velvet dress. Pic: NastyGal.com

If you would rather wear a skirt and top, then look no further than this beautiful embellished skirt from Miss Selfridge.

Currently reduced from €89 to €64 and would look fab with a black camisole top.

blue sequin skirt — Premium sequin skirt. Pic: Miss Selfridge.com

VELVET

Velvet is such a huge Christmas trend every year and adds a touch of luxury to any Christmas party outfit.

This stunning navy Nasty Gal dress with cut-out shoulders and tassel embellishments is a firm favourite of mine.

It’s normally €75 but grab it for €57 today!

navy velvet tassel dress — Navy velvet tassel dress. Pic: Nasty Gal.com

If you’re on a tighter budget, this gorgeous blue velvet Square Up dress from Nasty Gal comes in at €21.50 with the 24% discount applied.

blue velvet dress — Blue velvet dress. Pic: NastyGal.com

A simple but cute velvet option is this bodycon embellished black dress from Boohoo at Asos.

It isn’t marked down but it’s only €33 so it certainly won’t break the bank.

If you select to pay in sterling on Asos, you’ll get a few more euro off – bargain! Check out my shopping online hacks post here.

black velvet dress — Black velvet embellished dress. Pic: Asos.com

RED

Let’s face it, red is the colour of Christmas and also 2017’s hottest A/W trend. A red outfit is guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd.

This red bandeau jumpsuit from Missguided is €41.

red jumpsuit — Red bandeau jumpsuit. Pic: Missguided.com

If you don’t like dresses, a fitted suit with a bodysuit underneath can be a great option.

This red blazer from River Island adds a pop of colour to any festive outfit. However, at €80, this is on the pricier side.

The Sugababes threw shade at a girl in a red dress but I’m all about red dresses, especially this River Island beauty.

This floral lace mesh insert dress is €55. The length makes it ideal for a work do, as it’s not too short, but still glamorous.

Hope you all enjoyed this post and let me know which items you liked best. I’ve had a mad few weeks with moving house and other stuff on, hence the absence from the blog.

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

Bargain Hunt: The best of the summer sales under €30

July 10, 2017July 26, 2017 by E, posted in Accessories, Blogging, Fashion, Festival Fashion, Lingerie, Online Shopping, S/S 17 Fashion, Sales, Shoes, Shopping, Skirts, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Swimwear, swimwear, Thrifty Fashion

Summer sale season is here and as I’m pretty much confined to the house, I’m fighting the urge to spend all my money online.

I think shopping the sales online often beats trawling through shops that are busy at the best of times and complete pandemonium during sale (e.g. Zara).

While you can’t try things on, have you ever faced changing rooms during sale? Not a pretty sight! These are some of my favourite items from the summer sales and everything is under €30.

Missguided

One item which caught my eye (and that of many stylish Instagrammers) is this white denim buckled skirt.

It’s reduced from €44 to €22 and would be perfect for a sun holiday abroad. I’ve ordered this and it still hasn’t arrived … beginning to think it is lost! Anyway I’ll keep you posted on the fit.

alt= — White denim buckle skirt. Pic: Missguided.com

I’m equally taken with the light blue version which is now €27, reduced from €44. (I have no idea why the blue one is €5 more btw). It also comes in navy and black, for those of you who prefer a darker hue.

Asos

If you’re heading to a festival this year, then hit up Asos’s sale before you go. The Asos sale is the perfect place to get yourself a festival bargain like these cut-out shorts.

Cut-out denim shorts. Pic: Asos.com

Featuring a funky lolly pop applique on the back, they’re bound to keep you feeling summery even if it’s chucking it down in Stradbally/Marlay Park/delete as appropriate.

These come in at €28/£21. I’m sure I don’t need to remind regular readers but buy in sterling from Asos, click here to find out why.

Another festival-worthy pick are these cute lilac shorts reduced from €37 to €26 – just don’t get them filthy!

PS- Asos don’t have a sale banner or sale section on their site anymore but these items are still available and reduced- you just have to search by description.

alt= — Lilac mom fit shorts. Pic: Asos.com

New Look

One spring trend I absolutely loved was chinoiserie/ jacquard prints. I’m on the lookout for a backpack in this print and can’t decide between these two New Look beauties.

Floral backpack. Pic: NewLook.com

Mini backpack.Pic: NewLook.com

The larger one is now €20, reduced from €29.99 and the cute mini one is €17, reduced from €24.99.

PLT

I spotted these unusual pink cracked vinyl trousers over on PLT and I think they are awesome. They don’t look like something you would find on PLT and are a real statement piece. €20, reduced from €39.

Another deadly PLT bargain is this bright pink swimsuit which is quite similar to Kylie J’s infamous Body Glove swimsuit. Reduced from €25 to €11.

Zara

Now away from the crazy colours to a classic black bargain from Zara. This cute little dress with lace-up sleeves is now €29.99 down from €49.95.

alt= — Black dress with lace-up sleeves. Pic: Zara.com

And how about this denim and gingham skirt for only €9.99??

alt= — Denim and gingham mini skirt. Pic: Zara.com

Bershka

I recently bought these cute espadrilles in the Bershka sale, although I can only wear the left one at the moment. Reduced from €19.99 to €9.99.

alt= — Bershka espadrilles. Pic: Bershka.com

Another great Bershka bargain is this bleached denim jacket reduced from €39.99 to €17.99. (I need to stop talking about festivals now… I’m so jealous I can’t go to Longitude!)

River Island

River Island always has adorable PJ’s and underwear but they can be pricey. Embrace your inner Ariel with this adorable seashell detail bra and briefs. These are both about a third of the original price with the bra reduced from €22 to €8 and the knickers down from €17 to €4.

Pic: RiverIsland.com

I’m also loving this tropical palm print underwear set, again the bra is €8 and briefs €4 – Penneys prices!

alt= — Palm print underwear set. Pic: River Island.com

Hope you guys enjoyed this bargain-busting post – I love hunting down bargains to share with you!

I’m off to flex my debit card, so leave me a comment below and let me know if you liked any of the items I featured.

PS- this is not a sponsored post.

I often post bargains I find over on my Facebook page, so if you want to see more of the same give it a like. You can find me here on Instagram and Twitter would love to connect with other Irish bloggers on there. Thanks for reading as always and I’ll be back soon with a new post – possibly a festival one, watch this space.

Edel

The Occasion Wear Dilemma

March 14, 2017July 15, 2019 by E, posted in Fashion, Occasion Wear, Weddings

Got a wedding, graduation or a family event coming up?

If you’re tearing your hair out in frustration trying to find something that is stylish, formal and appropriate, then this post is for you.

I’ve spent quite some time on the hunt for occasion wear as I’ve both my Master’s graduation and a summer wedding coming up.

These are my tips for buying occasion wear and what I’ve tried and tested.

TIPS

Don’t buy too far ahead, by the time a summer wedding rolls around, your outfit might not seem as appealing as it initially did.

Make a Pinterest board of ideas – when I made one, I realised a lot of the dresses on it were quite similar in style, shape and colour.

alt= — Blue strappy dress. Pic: Asos.com

Buy accessories last. You need to know they’ll suit your outfit.

Consider the dress code of the occasion, i.e. for a graduation, a plunging neckline isn’t very appropriate.

Think about weather, walking distances and whether you’ll be standing for long. Comfort is key!

Versatility – can your outfit be worn again? It’s never a good idea to buy something just for one day.

alt=<blue midi skirt> — Blue midi skirt, Glamorous for Lipsy. Pic: Lipsy.co.uk

Think outside the box, you aren’t confined to just dresses.

How about a jumpsuit, a skirt and top combo or even a cool trouser suit?

asos jumpsuit — Black Asos jumpsuit. Pic: Asos.com

WHERE TO SHOP/BRANDS

Asos, Debenhams, &Other Stories, Oasis, Folkster, Miss Selfridge, Ted Baker, TK Maxx, and New Look are all good places to shop for occasion wear.

Missguided and Pretty Little Thing have some occasion wear, but some of it is quite revealing and not that suitable for certain occasions.

alt= — Pink lace dress. Pic: Missguided.com

I would recommend trying Asos’s own line, Little Mistress, True Violet, Paper Dolls, AX Paris, Lipsy, Lavish Alice and Elise Ryan.

Elise Ryan has the most gorgeous delicate feminine dresses and they’re quite affordable too. You can find these on Asos and eliseryan.co.uk.

I bought this blue dress for about €45 and it’s ideal for summer weddings.

Blue and white dress. Pic: Asos.com

Blue Elise Ryan sweetheart dress. Pic: Asos.com

Grey dress with contrast. Pic: Asos.com

Little Mistress and Paper Dolls dresses are available in Debenhams and on Asos.

I always buy brands direct from Asos as you can purchase in sterling.

If you are on a budget, try New Look, you could get an entire outfit in there.

alt=<AX Paris dress> — AX Paris lace dress. Pic: NewLook.com

You can also try Adverts.ie or Facebook selling groups as people often sell new and nearly new outfits and accessories on there.

TK Maxx is worth hitting up also.

WHAT I TRIED

I bought these two dresses from Asos but I actually returned both as neither of them were very flattering on me.

Word of warning, if you’re petite, handle midi dresses with caution!

I bought this True Violet dress, thinking it wouldn’t be too long as it was just below the knee on the model.

More fool me, it was mid-calf and NOT flattering. It’s a beautiful dress but being 5’3′, I would need to chop a good few inches off it to make it work.

alt=< floral dress> — True Violet midi dress. Pic: Asos.com

The other dress I originally ordered was this nude two-in-one lace dress.

It’s not as long as the True Violet dress but it’s very sheer and even with a lining inside, it still clung to every lump and bump!

I felt like a sack of potatoes so that was a NO also!

My third option is this Paper Dolls dress also, from Asos. Fingers crossed, because I’m really running out of time here!

alt= — Paper Dolls black dress with lace detail.

UPDATE: Not only did this dress get lost by the courier and almost not make it for my graduation but it also was quite small.

It’s a beautiful dress but it’s meant to fit a size 10 and it was more like an 8.

The waistband was very tight and dug in all day and the shoulder straps fell down constantly making it annoying to have to keep re-adjusting it!

I wore it twice but I don’t think I’ll be hanging onto it.

I originally wanted something in a pretty pastel colour but I had to go for the “safe” option in the end.

However, I can always opt for something brighter for the wedding.

I broke my own rule and bought shoes beforehand, as they were super cheap. They’re velvet heeled sandals from New Look for the bargain price of €9.60.

I’ll be posting a photo of the outfit up here soon. This was my outfit for my graduation from NUIG and I love this dress..tempted to wear it again!

If you guys have any suggestions for places to buy occasion wear, please leave me a comment.

FYI- this post was not sponsored or endorsed by any brands mentioned.

Hope you all enjoyed this post and don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Bargain Bonanza: My Sale Shopping Picks

December 29, 2016January 19, 2020 by E, posted in 90s, A/W 16 Fashion, Accessories, autumn/winter fashion, Blogging, Christmas, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Online Shopping, Sales, Shoes, Shopping, Trends, Winter Fashion

There’s only one cure for the post-Christmas blues: online shopping and hot whiskey. 😛 I’m currently lying in bed feeling very sick and sorry for myself so what better time to browse the best sale bargains?

Missguided is offering up to 75% off sale items. FYI if you have a holiday booked, their swimwear is massively reduced right now. Go forth and shop…

They also have some gorgeous dresses in sale, from causal slip dresses to more glamorous styles. New Year’s Eve outfit dilemmas sorted!

This 2-in 1 leopard camisole dress is reduced from €37.50 to €18.75, great for casual wear.

alt= — Leopard print 2-in-1 dress. Pic: Missguided.com

This black cold shoulder dress is a new twist on the classic slip dress. It’s reduced from €42 to €16.80.

alt= — Black slip dress with white t-shirt. Pic: Missguided.com

For a New Year’s outfit, I love this Balmain-esque floral red dress.

It has all the Balmain details with zip front and black piping but has a more affordable price tag! This was €105 but now just €42.

alt=< Missguided zip through dress> — Red floral zip through dress. Pic: Misguided.com

Asos is offering up 50% off sale items. Among the shoes I’m lusting after are these own brand silver loafers, €16, reduced from €27.

Another own brand bargain are these studded black flats. At only €22 now, they will be ideal for spring. They were €38 full price.

alt=< black studded flats> — Studded black ballet flats. Pic: Asos.com

Daisy Street is one of my favourite footwear brands available on Asos, they have amazing statement ankle boots including these two-tone snakeskin beauties. These are reduced from €47 to €27.33.

alt=< ankle boots> — Two tone snakeprint ankle boots.

I’m a big fan of Zara jeans as they are quite hard-wearing and a good fit. They have lots funky styles in sale from grungy paint-spattered jeggings to pink mom fit jeans.

These are all reduced from €29.95 to €19.95. Word of advice, Zara tends to stagger their reductions so these may go down further in price if you can wait.

Fray hem jeans. Pic: Zara.com

Pink mom fit jeans. Pic: Zara.com

Grey paint spattered jegging. Pic: Zara.com

Denim-lovers will also appreciate these Zara shirts. These are reduced to €39.99 from €49.95. Still relatively pricey but may be reduced further.

Grey denim shirt. Pic: Zara.com

Denim shirt with floral embroidery. Pic: Zara.com

Pretty Little Thing is offering up to 50% off sale items at the moment.

They have some beautiful sequin playsuits and dresses if you’re looking for a little sparkle this New Year’s.

Premium sequin dress PLT. Was €70, now €42. Pic: Prettylittlething.com

Green sequin playsuit. Was €42, now €16.80. Pic: PrettyLittlething.com

One thing to note about PLT’s sale is that an item may be reduced in one colour but not in another.

For example, the sequin playsuit is reduced from €42 to €16.80 in green, silver and gold but a multi-colour version is still full-price. The premium sequin dress is reduced from €70 to €42.

They also have statement bombers and cute accessories like this chain detail bag and multi-colour scarf. The purple bomber is now 50% off (was €49, now €24), the scarf is €8.40 (was €11.25) and the bag €21 down from €31.

Purple sequin bomber. Pic: PrettyLittleThing.com

Multi colour check scarf. Pic: PrettyLittleThing.com

Chain detail handbag. Pic: PrettyLittleThing.com

River Island have some great discounts on winter coats at the moment. The cream puffer is half price at €60 and both the brown and pink coats are marked down from €95 to €45.

Brown swing coat with faux fur collar. Pic: RiverIsland.com

Pink overcoat. Pic: RiverIsland.com

Cream puffy jacket. Pic: River Island.com

For sale shopping tips, check out my previous post and for online sale shopping hacks and discounts click here. I’ve rounded up some of the prices as decimal points frustrate me. 😛

Remember to check the returns policy, it will save you a lot of hassle. I recently attempted returning a full-price choker to Forever 21 only to find they don’t accept returns on jewellery.

It was in perfect condition, still in packaging and the receipt was in date! *shakes fist*

I hope you all had a good Christmas and have a lovely New Year also. Do you love or loathe sale shopping? Leave me a comment below.

PS- these are all my personal choices, I didn’t receive any payment or incentive to promote these brands. Thanks for reading as always and don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Tips for buying a great winter coat to suit every budget

December 2, 2016March 17, 2019 by E, posted in A/W 16 Fashion, autumn/winter fashion, Blogging, Fashion

With temperatures below zero and Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to invest in a winter coat.

If like me, your current winter coat is the consistency of tissue paper and hanging together by a few threads, then you’ll need a good quality warm coat.

Buying a new coat can be an onerous task. Do you opt for a cosy parka which will provide warmth but isn’t rainproof?

A stylish coat which looks great but has no lining? Or are you tempted by puffer coats but afraid you’ll look like a marshmallow?!

When it comes to buying a winter coat, first decide what you need. If you want something exceptionally warm, then get a parka with a detachable fleece lining.

I’ve never been a parka fan as they always come in the same muted boring colours but they do provide warmth.

If you love a pop of colour in your outfit, there are lots of parkas with colourful fur contrasts in shops this year and these are a nice alternative to the traditional parka.

New Look has some super stylish parkas this year with bright fur collars, embroidery details, and even a camouflage parka. These range in price from €69.99-€84.99.

If you are buying online, New Look offers 20% off your first full-price purchase.

Embroidered parka with red fur hood. Pic: New Look.com

Blue Fur Hood Parka. Pic: New Look.com

Khaki parka. Pic: New Look.com

Faux fur coats are a great way of retaining your style credentials and keeping cosy at the same time.

Violinkit demonstrates how to style one over on her blog, check it out for inspiration.

alt= — My black faux fur coat from Pretty Little Thing

Shein.com have very affordable faux fur coats on promotion at the moment. The grey is just under €45 and the tan one is just under €28!

longline-faux-fur — Tan and white faux fur longline coat. Pic: Shein.com

Puffer coats and jackets are also really warm and super stylish this year. If you’re afraid they may look bulky on try some streamlined versions. River Island has an amazing streamlined style in black and pink.

alt= — Pink puffer jacket. Pic: River Island.com

I bought the pink one and it’s super cosy without being bulky.

This was €120 but I got it for €85 using Asos’s 20% Cyber Monday deal and paying in sterling. Check out my Shopping Online Hacks post for more details.

alt= — Black puffer coat. Pic: River Island.com

Boohoo.com are offering 30% off selected winter stock as part of their Cyber Week promotion. But hurry, it’s only until 6 p.m tonight! Use code OHNICE at the checkout.

Among the coats in the promotion are this parka (€61 full price) and this fab military coat (€68 full price).

alt= — Black military coat. Pic: Boohoo.com

At all costs, avoid unlined coats, even if it means spending a little more. You don’t want to spend your Christmas nights out shivering wishing you were at home in a onesie!

I’ve made the mistake of buying a coat with a wool-like exterior but only a thin lining. Never again!

If you have the cash for a more expensive coat, go for it. A good quality coat should last a few years. And if you are strapped for cash, then watch out for the sales. Some shops are already reducing winter stock or offering promotions on coats so keep your eyes peeled.

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

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

Edel

Deadly Dupes

November 21, 2016November 21, 2016 by E, posted in A/W 16 Fashion, autumn/winter fashion, Blogging, Fashion, Online Shopping, Shoes, Shopping, Sneakers, Thrift Shopping, Winter Fashion

Calling all trainer fans: Do you love Adidas Originals but don’t have €85 to hand over for one pair of shoes? Do you spend your days salivating over Stan Smiths and Reebok Classics? Here’s how you can get yourself some great dupe runners without breaking the bank.

Ioffer.com is a website which sells replica runners at bargain basement prices. I discovered this site when I saw amazing Adidas Superstar replicas on fellow blogger Jude’s Law Facebok page. You can buy pretty much any kind of runner on this site for a fraction of the price, i.e. Superstars for €16. They also have New Balance, Nike, Converse etc.

Adidas Superstars. Pic: Ioffer.com

There are lots of different sellers operating on here so be sure to check the feedback regarding each one before buying. I haven’t ordered anything from here yet but I intend to soon.

These are probably manufactured in China so don’t expect next day delivery! The site is quite confusing as it lists all styles as mens/womens and there are a lot of generic descriptions and colours that don’t correspond with pictures etc. It’s like Ebay in the sense that you can make an offer to a seller and leave feedback on purchases.

If you like Stan Smiths, then try Penneys. These lookalikes were just €8, about one tenth of the cost of the real thing! Needless to say, Penney’s shoes won’t last as long but if you are broke, they’re the perfect option.

Stradivarius is another option for Stan Smith lookalikes. I particularly like these perforated styles with heel tab details just like Stan Smiths. These are just under €26 and would look great with jeans.

Pink trainers. Pic: Stradivarius.com

White trainers. Pic: Stradivarius.com

My favourite trainers are Reeboks and I’m loving the gorgeous new colours from gold to pearlized blue. Bershka have gorgeous peachy trainers which are a dead ringer for Reeboks for only €35.99.

Peach runners. Pic: Bershka.com

Missguided.com have a great selection of inexpensive runners. Among the ones I liked best are these gold runners which look like a hybrid of Air Max and Reebok and are only €37.50.

Good news if you’re a broke student, Missguided accept UNIDAYS discount so you can get 30% off all full price items also. These also come in silver and look way more expensive than they are.

Gold runners. Pic: Missguided.com

Silver runners. Pic:Missguided.com

Silver Air Max. Pic:Pinterest.com

Asos’s own brand shoe collection is always worth checking out, they have lots of dupe styles including metallic toe runners which are just like Adidas Originals.

Hope you’ve all enjoyed this post, if you know anywhere that sells great dupes leave me a comment and let me know. If you love a good dupe, then be sure to check out my post on dupe bags also.

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

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