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Depop drama: Buying, selling and everything you need to know

November 14, 2020November 14, 2020 by E, posted in Fashion, Thrifty Fashion

I first used Depop about four years ago when I was in college and desperate to make a quick buck. I listed a few things for sale but as my phone camera was pretty terrible, my pics weren’t very enticing and I never made a sale.

I soom deleted the app and didn’t feel very encouraged to use it again.

Fast forward to 2020, Depop is even bigger than ever. During lockdown I began obsessing about tracking down a pair of shoes after I lost one while moving house. I’m wearing them in the pic below.

After searching the shoe online, several Depop links came up. I downloaded the app again and began trawling.

I messaged several people to no avail but finally I found a girl selling them in a size 5 and bought them from her. Unfortunately, they didn’t fit.

The shoes soon went to the charity shop but my curiousity was piqued and I realised Depop was the perfect way to hunt items that I’d previously seen in shops/online or no longer fitted me.

I tracked down the shoes but sadly they were too small.

This behaviour may seem bizarre to people with real hobbies but for me, it’s proved very satisfying.

A friend of mine even found shoes for her wedding on there. She was finding it hard to shop because of lockdown, I asked her what style and size she was after and within a few minutes, I’d pulled up some options on Depop!

So far, I’ve bought a Topshop jumpsuit that I previously borrowed off a friend, a blue suede Topshop skirt that I’d bought in a charity shop but was much too small, a pair of colour block jeans and a really cool Whitney Houston t-shirt.

I was after this blue suede Topshop skirt for years!

I rarely ever buy new clothing nowadays but I still love looking at what’s available in high-street shops.

So, if you’re looking to make your wardrobe more sustainable but aren’t a fan of vintage/charity shops, Depop is a great place to start and save money while you’re at it. Or you can declutter your own wardrobe and make some money while you’re at it.

The best part of Depop is that your cash isn’t going to line the pockets of a big coporation, Depop sellers are primarily young women or independent retailers.

I finally found the skirt!

Buying tips

Don’t restrict your search to just your own country

It’s tempting to limit your search to your own country as most sellers will ask you to pay postage.

But if you are really keen to find an item, tick the worldwide box and see what you can find. I’ve actually bought more items from UK/Northern Ireland sellers than Irish sellers.

Wearing the jumpsuit four years ago

I bought both the jumpsuit and the suede skirt from UK sellers and they arrived quite quickly.

Take your measurements

Most Depop sellers don’t offer refunds so you’ll need to ascertain the fit before you buy. Ask for measurements, take your own measurements (leg length ankle to crotch, widest part of bust and hips and narrowest part of waist).

Rather than relying on the size provided by the seller, I’ve been taking my own measurements for a more accurate fit.

alt= — I bought these jeans – but they did not fit!

I recently bought a size 10 pair of jeans on Depop only to find that they didn’t fit at all. So, when I was buying the suede skirt, I asked the seller to take measurements and checked them against my own and happily it fit.

Ask questions

If you’re thinking of buying something, ask questions first.

I.e. What’s the fit like, do you have more photos, was this taken with a flash (can make colours look different), any faults etc.

Most sellers are very obliging and won’t mind providing you with more information. Be sure to ask about postage, returns policy and delivery time.

Check prices between different sellers

If you find several people selling the item you’re after, check what the best price available is and ask each individual seller about postage costs as they may vary,

That way you can be sure you’re getting a good price. It’s also worth assessing the condition of each item however, some may be cheaper due to flaws/condition.

Haggle if possible

Now I’ve never been the best haggler in the world but this is a platform where you can make offers and bargain.

Some sellers will state that they welcome offers and others will not. You can also offer a swap of an item or ask if they can do a bundle deal or free postage. It’s always worth asking but obviously don’t take the piss either or you probably will end up on the Depop drama Insta!

If an item doesn’t work out

If your item is not as described or has undeclared faults, you can ask the seller for a refund. If they won’t help, you can open a dispute with Paypal.

Every transaction made through Paypal ensures your purchase or sale is protected if anything goes wrong.

Make sure to purchase through the Depop buy button rather than a private arrangement as you have more protection this way. Where possible, ask for a tracking number also.

If something just doesn’t fit and you can’t return it, you can always try selling it yourself or donate it.

Upload a pic of what you’re looking for

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, upload a pic and caption it “not for sale”.

State the brand and size and a description of the item you’re after, you never know someone may have it in the back of their wardrobe!

SELLING

Take the best photos you can

Ideally your photos should be of someone wearing the outfit but if that’s not possible, good lighting and clutter-free backgrounds are a must.

Make sure you show the front and rear of the item and take pictures of any flaws. If the colour is not showing up right in the pic, make sure you mention in the listing what the true colour is.

alt= — My Depop profile (my pics leave a lot be desired but I’m working on it)

Be flexible with your pricing

The quality of the item should be reflected in the price so if it’s an item you’ve worn a lot, don’t charge what you paid for it. New items with tags still on can command more as can lightly worn items or secondhand designer items. If you don’t accept offers/swaps, it’s a good idea to mention that.

Use tags

Depop will only allow five hashtags per item, however, you can include more popular keywords that people commonly search for (y2k comes to mind!)

Be truthful

“Such a stunning Y2K top, one of a kind”, grates after you read it for the 50th time. Likewise, don’t list an old Jane Norman cardi as “vintage”, that will only irritate buyers. True vintage clothing should be at least 20/30 years old so don’t lose the run of yourself.

Give as much detail as possible and be patient if your buyer has questions.

Ask for reviews and leave reviews

It’s nice to be nice and getting a good review will increase trust and encourage more people to buy from you. So ask your buyers to leave a review when they’re satisfied and also review them as buyers. It’s a win-win!

Approach potential buyers

If someone likes an item, don’t be shy, drop them a DM and ask if they’re interested in buying. I get these messages all the time and usually I just reply browsing thanks but a friendly message could help close a sale,

When your items aren’t selling

If your items haven’t sold, there are a number of avenues you can explore. You can delete the listing and reupload it with new pics or update the description. You can lower the price or offer a limited discount or offer bundle prices.

You can also share your items on other social media such as Instagram or Facebook, it may catch someone’s eye there.

Above all, don’t be disheartened, it takes time and patience to build a up a Depop profile.

I’m really enjoying using Depop and I’ve found it to be one of my favourite ways to shop now, particularly when shops aren’t open.

Have you used Depop? Leave me a comment below by clicking on the grey speech bubble icon and let me know.

Thanks for reading as always and I hope you found the tips helpful! Don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page and of course my Depop @edelh22.

Edel

How to machine dye old jeans with Dylon

May 16, 2020June 10, 2020 by E, posted in Fashion

With the shops closed and the majority of us spending most of our time at home, now is a good time to go through your wardrobe.

Perhaps you need to do a purge of things that don’t fit or no longer suit your lifestyle.

Put what you don’t want into a bag for the charity shops as they’ll be in need of donations when they re-open.

Alternatively, you can take your old clothes to a clothes bank if there’s one in your local area or cut up old/stained clothing to make into dusters.

If you have an item you like but you want to breathe new life into it, why not try an upcycle? Fabric paint, dye, embroidery, zips, and studs can all inject new life into an old item.

I’m going to share one of my favourite upcycling methods and show how machine dye transformed these vintage jeans.

When I first bought these jeans, I really liked the fit of them but I wasn’t crazy about the colour. (I took before pics but for the life of me, I can’t find them!)

alt=<dyed jeans> — Bored in the house and I’m in the house bored

I was at a Tola Vintage kilo sale when I spotted these Levis 511 jeans. They are a slim fit but not skinny and low rise.

What I liked most about them was how thick and hardwearing the denim is. PS, I spilled water on them in the pic above, hence the weird discolouration!

I wore them a few times but I found it hard to match the weird grey/white colour and so they soon were left in a drawer.

Browsing in Hickeys one day, I saw some navy Dylon dye and I decided it was time to dye the jeans.

The process was really simple. I’d hand-dyed things before which can get messy but this was machine dye so I just had to pop the jeans into the wash with the dye capsule and run a cycle on 30C or 40C.

Then I had to wash them again with detergent on the same cycle and wait for them to dry.

The jeans emerged a gorgeous dark navy with the stitching remaining white. I hadn’t planned this but I really liked the effect.

alt=<levis 511 jeans> — Levis 511 dyed jeans

However, the brown Levis patch on the back did dye which I was hoping it wouldn’t.

I don’t know if there’s a way around this but if there is, let me know!

Since I dyed the jeans, I’ve worn them much more frequently and found it easier to match them with outfits. The colour has also remained strong with numerous washes almost two years on.

This dye will remain on anything it stains, some got onto a towel I was using and it is still there to this day! So wear rubber gloves and old clothes and follow instructions carefully!

The colour of the dye on the box didn’t look that dark but it came out a deep navy blue which was exactly what I wanted. As far as I can remember the shade I picked was called navy blue.

Dylon also have a dye especially for faded jeans which I may use to revive old pairs in the future.

It’s important to remember that every fabric is different and dye results will depend on the permeability of the fabric and type of fabric. And some fabrics can’t be dyed, so check before you break open the dye.

The weight of the fabric and the amount of synthetic fibres will affect the final result, synthetic mixes will come out lighter.

From a sustainability point of view, obviously the dye residue will go into the water and there’s a good bit of washing involved but it’s probably still more sustainable than going out and buying a brand new item.

Machine-dying a few items with one capsule is probably the most sustainable way of doing it.

alt=<levis> — Stitching on the back pocket

If you want to avoid artificial dyes, you can experiment with natural dyes, such as fruits and vegetables. Check out Moya (Environmental Eadai) on Instagram or Aisling Duffy Designs for natural dye inspiration.

Hope you all enjoyed this upcycling post and let me know if you decide to try machine dyes.

As for what else I’m wearing in the outfit above, it’s all vintage or thrifted except for my sunglasses. My boots were about €22 from a charity shop, shirt was about €6 from a charity shop (both River Island).

The jeans and my leather waiscoat were sold by kilo so I can’t remember what I paid but whole outfit is probably only about €55.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out the competition I’m running on my Instagram and Facebook pages at the moment.

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

Primark’s Christmas Holiday Takeover 2018

November 10, 2018November 12, 2018 by E, posted in Christmas, Fashion

I was delighted to attend Primark’s Christmas Holiday Takeover in the gorgeous number 11, Great Georges Street North.

For the sake of handiness, I’m saying Primark throughout this post but you all know I mean Penneys 😉

First of all, the location was AMAZING. I had often admired the stunning Georgian houses on this street but never thought I would have a chance to look around one.

It dates back to 1774 and has a fascinating history.

I am obsessed with interiors and antiques, so I was in heaven! (Wonder do they do wedding receptions?!)

alt= — Some of the amazing interior decorations

The Christmas range was spread out in three rooms over two floors and I enjoyed admiring the sumptuous surroundings, ornate chandeliers, paintings, cabinets full of creepy dolls and beautiful old furniture.

alt= — I actually loved the creepy dolls

alt= — A chandelier from one of the rooms

There was Bailey’s hot chocolate to drink served in beautiful Versace-esque china and adorable snowman cupcakes to eat as well while we browsed.

The event was catered by Black Sheep foods.

On the first floor, there was loads of cute Disney, Mary Poppins and Harry Potter stuff as well as novelty Christmas jumpers and adorable baby reindeer and snowman outfits.

alt= — Mary Poppins ornaments and cushion

Upstairs, there were rails of partywear for ladies and kids.

Among my favourite items were the multi-colour sequin top and long skirt, a sequin slip dress, a black velvet trouser suit with silver embroidery and a funky mohair colourful leopard print jumper.

All of these items will be available instore in two weeks’ time, just in time for Christmas!

Sequin skirt. Pic: Primark/Prshots.com

Sequin strappy top. Pic: Primark/Prshots.com

This striped velvet jumpsuit is ideal for a night out over the festive season.

alt= — Velvet Primark jumpsuit. Pic: Primark/prshots.com

There’s lots to choose from, if you aren’t a fan of sequins, there were also gorgeous red and green satin slip dresses.

alt=<primark-partywear> — Sequins and sparkle

When I posted this amazing leopard print jumper on my Instagram stories, my friend who lives in Brazil wrote to me saying she needed to get her hands on one!

I might have to post her one over because she really misses Penneys!

The childrenswear was really cute also.

There were beautiful Christmas trees in each room, decorated with kitschy ornaments, baubles and gold letters and a DJ spinning Christmas tunes in the corner.

My years in retail have left me with a hatred of Christmas music but the event was so much fun, I didn’t even mind.

I wore my Bershka leather-look dress with black tights and boots.

alt= — My outfit for the day (I look so awkward ) Pic: Anthony Woods)

How cute are these Disney baubles? I’m almost thinking about getting a Christmas tree for my apartment this year.

The last room held a selection of nightwear and underwear, as well as shoes, perfume, makeup and nail sets.

I’m a sucker for anything floral so I loved these green satin PJs and robe.

There were lots of fun and novelty stocking filler ideas mixed around the rooms, from cocktail fishbowls, face masks and games.

And there was plenty of decorative inspo from lights and candles to toy elves, Santas and reindeer.

alt= — Toy reindeer and reindeer slippers

These sequin slippers and rhinestone-embellished hairbrush are both great stocking filler ideas.

alt=<rhinestone-hairbrush> — Rhinestone hairbrush

Thank you to the girls from Primark for hosting such a wonderful event, I can’t wait for the next one!

Hope you all enjoyed this post and got lots of inspiration for Christmas. This post is not sponsored.

I’ll be heading away to Portugal on my first press trip at the end of November and I’ve also upping my outfit post game, so expect some posts on these soon.

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

Edel

Coveted Collection: Erdem X H&M 2017

November 11, 2017November 11, 2017 by E, posted in Design, Fashion

By now, I’m sure you will all have seen the new Erdem X H&M collection. I love designer collaborations but wasn’t able to go to the launch on November 2 as I was working.

I nipped into town last weekend to see if there was anything left but the H&M on College Green appeared to be cleared out, apart from a few pairs of shoes.

There are slim pickings on the official site also, with only one jumper, one shirt, scarves and men’s shoes still left.

I’m a huge fan of this collection mainly because I’m a sucker for anything floral.

The styling also really appealed to me, opulent dresses paired with simple plimsoll sneakers, hoodies over sequin dresses and the use of real flowers in the shoot.

Erdem X H&M dress — Erdem X H&M Pic:H&M.com

Erdem x HM floral dress — Erdem X H&M campaign. Pic:H&M.com

I would definitely buy these trainers if my ankle was ready for them…

Erdem is known for romantic designs, such as these pretty lace detailed dresses, I like the contrast between the floral print and lace and the delicate jewellery.

However, the accessories like the rest of the collection come with a relatively high price tag, €22.99 for a hair clip!

These trouser suits are just divine, too nice to be wasted on work!

ErdemXHM suits — Erdem X H&M. Pic:H&M.com

Needless to say, this collection doesn’t come cheap and customers are also limited to buying one of each item.

One of the more “affordable” items is this hoody coming in at €59.99. I later saw it on eBay selling for €84!

One of my favourite pieces from the collection is this beautiful dress.

Erdem x H&M long floral dress — Floral print dress Erdem X H&M. Pic: H&M.com

Apparently, there were queues outside College Green in Dublin and I can totally understand why.

The H&M site also crashed from all the eager shoppers logging on!

This is the first time Erdem has produced a menswear collection and it’s every bit as covetable as the ladieswear collection.

From sharp tailoring to laid-back pyjama style tops and trousers, the menswear is stylish and suave.

ErdemXHM mens floral shirt — Floral men’s shirt. Pic: H&M.com

For research purposes, I trawled eBay to see if there are any pieces available online.

There were lots of offerings on eBay but the competition was fierce with 25 bids on one blouse for example.

If you do decide to buy a piece online, check the seller’s feedback before purchasing and be prepared for a bidding war!

There are some items for sale with just photos from the campaign, I would steer clear of these and look for items which the seller has taken themselves and check for details such as the tag.

This beautiful vintage crocodile handbag with floral interior is listed on eBay and so far no bids on it but I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing! It’s listed for €90 and retailed at €99 on the Irish site.

Erdem X H&M crocodile bag — Erdem X HM crocodile bag. Pic: H&M.com

These fabulous floral boots in a size six are also listed by a different seller but they’ll set you back a whopping €300!

erdem floral boots — Erdem X H&M floral boots

If anyone has bought a piece online, let me know because I would love to get my hands on pretty much anything from this collection.

Hope you enjoyed this post, leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought of the collection.

Thanks to Olivia from the H&M press office for kindly providing me with photos for this post.

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

What to wear to a summer wedding in Ireland

June 26, 2017December 7, 2019 by E, posted in Fashion

Wedding season is upon us and not only did I have to find a pretty and appropriate dress for a summer wedding, I had to find a dress that would look good with crutches and an orthopaedic boot.

HAHAHA, nothing looks good with crutches and an orthopaedic boot. Especially not a red profusely sweating face…

Ignoring suggestions that I buy a maxi dress (never ever) I tracked down this pretty Elise Ryan dress from Asos that I’d originally wanted to buy for graduation but wasn’t in my size at the time.

alt= — My crutches are just out of shot:P

This dress proved perfect for the occasion, it was fitted in the waist and was knee length. The only mistake I made was wearing a padded bra which made me look very top-heavy so I won’t be doing that again!

I thought I would feel self-conscious because I was on crutches and everyone else was in heels but to be honest, no-one cared what I looked like, everyone was focused on the happy couple.

My dress was €74 on Asos but I paid in sterling and got it for €49.50/€57. It has since gone into sale and is now €52/£38.

Normally I would’ve worn a silver heel with this colour but heels were a no-go! Instead, I wore a plain black flat on my left foot and accessorised with my silver Stella McCartney dupe bag and silver earrings.

I wore a chain-style headband from Penneys also.

I went for a completely different makeup look as I’d normally wear eyeliner and a bold lip but I wanted to experiment with a blue eyeshadow from my Prism palette from Penneys.

I wore blue and silver eyeshadow on my eyelids along with a pop of white eyeliner in the corner of my eye.

I avoided a strong lip for this look and opted for a neutral lipgloss instead. It was a very different look for me but it’s always good to get out of your comfort zone.

Needless to say, getting good photos of my dress proved fairly difficult as I can’t stand for long on one leg!

My posture didn’t do me any favours and neither did the delicious four course meal…

These are some tips you may find helpful if you have a wedding coming up.

Don’t forgo comfort in favour of style, weddings are LONG days and you’ll be eating a big meal. Tight waistbands and restrictive outfits are not your friends.

A pair of flats is a must and it’s a good idea to bring some plasters also.

If you want to wear your heels for most of the night, minimise discomfort with a gel insole or heel grip. To prevent rubbing and blisters put deodorant on your feet before wearing heels which will minimise sweating.

You don’t have to spend a fortune or buy everything new. Before buying an outfit, consider whether you have a bag and shoes that will compliment it.

It’s easy to get carried away and buy everything new but you’ll also be buying a wedding present and possibly paying for accommodation etc. so take this into account when budgeting.

Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone and try a colour you wouldn’t normally wear.

Here’s some outfit inspiration if you have a summer wedding coming up.

alt= — Purple floral dress. Pic: Asos.com

alt= — Printed bodycon dress. Pic: RiverIsland.com

alt= — Green off-the-shoulder dress. Pic: Asos.com

Hope you all enjoyed this post, I’ve been finding it hard to blog lately as I’ve been under extreme stress partly from my injury and also because my house is being sold so I have to find a new room to rent soon. Those of you who rent in Dublin will know the struggle!

Having a few days off to go to the wedding was just blissful and I really enjoyed staying in Darver Castle in Louth where the reception was held – it’s a gorgeous venue.

FYI, this was not a sponsored post and there no affiliate links.

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

Edel

The Colour Purple

February 3, 2017February 11, 2017 by E, posted in Blogging, Fashion, Handbags, Irish Bloggers, Nightwear, Online Shopping, S/S 17 Fashion, Sales, Shopping, Thrifty Fashion

Have you noticed all the lilac and purple hues this Spring? I love this colour and it’s everywhere from jumpers to lipsticks to wallets.

Last weekend I was in Belfast (more on that soon!) and I bought this pretty Topshop lilac ruffled jumper.

alt= — Topshop lilac jumper. Pic: Topshop.com

Not only was it a complete bargain, £15 in sale, €42 full price but it also combines another spring trend, ruffles! I’ll be wearing this blue jeans or with black leather-look trousers to work.

Excuse my face, I was a little hungover!

FYI, the sizing of this jumper was really off, I got a 6 which would normally be too small for me in a jumper but the 8 felt too tight!

I also picked up this lilac quilted wallet in Penneys for about £4.

It’s very similar to the Skinnydip wallets and matches this bag.

alt= — Purple glitter shopper. Pic: Primark.com

I may have to get the bag too!

I already own a *few* pastel purple pieces..

Warning: lilac runners are as impractical as white ones!

Super jealous of Kate Moss strutting her stuff in this pastel Chanel outfit.

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

Recently I even bought a lilac lippie and was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was. I find pink/purple shades can make your teeth look a little yellow but I really wanted to try it out.

This “Charm” lipstick was about €2 from Bershka. If you want to try an unusual lip colour, go for a cheap lipstick in case you hate it!

I’ve been looking for a dress to wear to my graduation and I’m very drawn towards lilac and pink. This Missguided dress is currently reduced from €60 to €15 in sale – OMG!

alt= — Lilac crochet dress. Pic: Missguided.com

These skinny cigarette trousers would be great to liven up a work outfit, €12 from Missguided.

alt= — Cigarette trousers. Pic: Missguided.com

It’s a bit early for pajama shorts but how cute is this set ?

alt= — Lilac PJ set. Pic: Missguided.com

Finally I’m in love with this Topshop mesh t-shirt, it looks great layered over a black or white top.

I don’t know but I’ve never had a pair of Converse yet. This “Frozen Lilac” style is just calling my name right now.

If you don’t like a lot of pastel colours, then an accessory like this beanie hat is ideal for just a splash of purple perfection.

Do you guys like lilac and pastel colours? Let me know, I’d love to hear your opinions.

N.B. I’m not being sponsored or paid by any of the brands featured here-these are all my personal choices.

Thank you for visiting my blog and don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here. My next post will be all about shopping in the North and a few photos from Belfast.

Edel

Dressed to Frill

January 19, 2017 by E, posted in Blogging, Design, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Shopping, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style

Frills may be something we associate with four year olds but they are one of the hottest trends this S/S 17. Get ready for an explosion of frills, flounces and ruffles!

These are a few of the frilling pieces (sorry not sorry) that I’ve seen lately on the high street and online.

This cold-shoulder dress from Missguided combines two spring trends, it’s a beautiful lilac hue with frills over the arms. Missguided are currently offering 30% off heels and dresses with the code DRESSUP30 so you could nab this beaut for just under €30!

alt=<frill-dress> — Lilac cold shoulder dress Missguided. Pic: Missguided.com

This elegant grey midi dress also from Missguided would be perfect for an occasion such as a wedding or graduation.

Even loungewear gets the frill treatment this season, I normally don’t like tracksuit sets but how cute is this?

alt= — Grey tracksuit with frill details. Pic: Missguided.com

H&M have embraced the frilly trend like no other. Their latest online editorial “Wild at Heart” is full of stunning pieces like this 80’s style blouse. Frills on top of frills, Siberian tigers and lush vegetation, whats not to love?!

This blouse is a bit more expensive at €44.99 but it’s definitely a statement piece!

H&M always have great workwear and you could incorporate some of these frilly pieces into a work wardrobe.

alt= — Trouser suit with frill hems. Pic: HM.com

I’m not sure how I feel about ruffles and frills on trousers but if the rest of the outfit is kept simple it could work.

This gorgeous floral blouse would be great for work or play. H&M have more understated frilly pieces in store and online.

alt=< floral frill blouse> — Floral frill blouse. Pic: HM.com

If you prefer a subtle dainty look, this white blouse with frilly yoke will be right up your street. (Which reminds me, I’ve a vintage white frilly blouse in the back of my wardrobe somewhere…)

alt= — White frill blouse New Look. Pic: New Look.com

This yellow top is only €22.99 and comes in five different colours.

alt=< yellow frill top> — Yellow frill top. Pic: New Look.com

While this pink crop top is only €10 and would be gorgeous with black leather trousers or skinny jeans.

alt= — Pink frilly crop top. Pic: New Look.com

While I love frills on blouses, tops and dresses, I’m really not sure about frills on jeans. Take for instance, these Ellery jeans, WTF is going on here?!!

alt+< frill hem jeans> — Ellery jeans. Pic: Farfetch.com

A subtle flounce might be ok but those things could sweep streets!

What do you think of the frill trend? Leave me a comment below and let me know. N.B. I’m not being sponsored by any of the brands featured here-these are all my personal choices.

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

Edel

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