Tag: River Island

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River Island Spring/Summer 2019 Press Day

by E, posted in Fashion

River Island is one of those shops that I always wanted to buy from when I was a teen but was way too broke!

Nowadays kids want Gucci bags and LV but all I wanted was a damn pair of River Island jeans…

I always enjoy seeing River Island‘s new collections and this year’s Spring/Summer press event was no exception.

The first rail that really caught my eye was the swimwear. I love browsing swimwear even though it’s not something I would buy every year.

This stunning baroque print swimsuit was one of my favourite pieces.

 

 

It’s €50 which is quite pricey but apparently, you can buy in sterling from the River Island UK site and get it delivered to a store near you. I haven’t tried this myself but let me know if you have.

The other thing I noticed about this is that you’d probably need to size up if you wear a larger bra size, the cups on a size ten looked quite small.

This lime green beauty with a black belt would also look great on the beach.

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Lime green swimsuit

Belts seemed to feature on most of the one-pieces.

I’m not sure yet if I like this trend but it’s definitely going to be a thing because I saw Kylie Jenner wearing a belted one-piece on her Insta!

 

This lilac cut-out swimsuit was another favourite.

I prefer one-pieces to bikinis more and more these days!

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River Island lilac cut-out swimsuit
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River Island swimwear

What really excited me is that River Island now do homeware and my love for homeware knows no bounds!

There wasn’t a massive selection but the chair and cushions above made a great photo backdrop and there were also some cute lanterns, candles and storage boxes.

There’s some gorgeous bedding, vases, planters and mirrors on the website and I can’t wait to check it out in-store as I’m always looking for nice things for my apartment.

 

 

 

 

 

Love this bedding. Pic :prshots.com
River Island baroque bedding and cushions. Pic: prshots.com/River Island

The homeware range is available in Swords, Blanchardstown and Dundrum in Dublin and also online.

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Decorative boxes
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Pink octagonal vase. Pic: prshots.com

Animal prints and logos are sticking around for 2019, judging by these styles.

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Snakeprint shirt.
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Animal print and logos

Neons, polka dots and pyjama-inspired prints also featured heavily.

 

 

 

 

 

Animal prints dominated
There were lots of patterns also

This little polka dot dress would be the perfect holiday or summer wedding outfit.

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River Island Polka dot dress

Snakeprint was a common motif on shoes also.

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Snakeprint boots and sandals

There are lots of co-ords in the new collection which I really like but I’ve never worn one yet.

My favourite was this denim ‘Couture’ jacket and skirt set. The jacket is €60, while the skirt is €35.

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Denim ‘couture’ jacket and skirt. Pic: RiverIsland.com

From a more formal look, this powder blue blazer is gorgeous for a special occasion and there are shorts to match.

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Powder blue blazer

River Island do really good accessories, especially bags and wallets.

There were lots of sunglasses and some jewellery on display also, including this fabulous lion head Versace-esque necklace.

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Lion head necklace
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River Island ladies’ sunglasses
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Accessories

River Island shoes are on the expensive side but they are also quite hard-wearing. When it comes to footwear, it’s worth paying a little more for better materials.

I’ve a pair of RI heels that I bought in 2012 and cowboy boots that I’ve had since 2015 so not a bad investment.

If you have a decent pair of shoes, it’s worth getting the heel tips or even the soles replaced as they wear, rather than just buying a new pair.

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River Island shoes

I used my old digital camera to take some of these pictures as the lens is better than my phone and I’d left my DSLR at home.

The results were mixed some of the photos on my phone came out better but it’s handy to have an alternative.

I also browsed the menswear and kidswear ranges.

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Men’s accessories
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The kidswear was so cute!
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River Island childrenswear

The childrenswear really impressed me, it was really trendy and cute and I wanted most of the adorable girls’ shoes and backpacks!

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River Island girls’ shoes and accessories

On my way out the door, I stopped to grab some delicious snacks from the Black Sheep food stand.

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Delicious snacks

I had a two-hour drive ahead of me so they were just what I needed.

Thanks to the River Island team for a lovely afternoon.

Hope you all enjoyed this post, I hope to have some homeware and outfit posts coming soon, including some Aliexpress purchases so stay tuned!

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

Edel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Outfit of the day at the Botanic Gardens Dublin

by E, posted in Blogging, Casual Fashion, Fashion

A few months back I had to move out of my rented house and it was quite the ordeal. Not only because of the scarcity of suitable accommodation but also because I loved where I was living (Stoneybatter) and didn’t want to leave the neighbourhood.

However, rental prices trumped my desire to stay in D7 and after looking at a whopping 30 (yes 30 houses), I was finally offered a nice semi-affordable room in D9.

While my new neighbourhood isn’t quite as central or as trendy as Stoneybatter, it does have one major perk – living close to the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

The gardens are one of the most scenic places in Dublin to visit all year round.

Here’s a cosy little outfit I wore while on a day out there recently.

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Looking slightly pensive here!

My blue puffer jacket is from Pimkie in Munich, my jeans are River Island, my blue Gazelles are from Schuh and my bag is from River Island also.

Although this isn’t my thriftiest outfit, the jacket was reduced from €60 to €25, the bag was a gift and the shoes were reduced to €58.95 in a Black Friday sale.

And after I bought them my boyfriend kindly offered to pay for them as a Christmas present 🙂 So they ended up being a gift too!

I’m a big fan of River Island bags and accessories and this little blue bag with gold hardware is perfect for days off.

During the week, I usually drag around a giant tote but on days off I switch down to this beauty!

I absolutely love my Gazelles and runners in general but I’m still struggling to adapt to different kinds of footwear with my dodgy ankle.

These are a little flat so I only wear them for short periods at a time.

Even though there are three different shades of blue going on in this outfit, I think they somehow work together.

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Rocking my new puffer jacket

I bought the jacket in a medium so it would be comfortable to wear over a jumper and it’s super warm and cosy.

It has a lovely velvet texture and the silver zip pull detail makes it look more expensive than it actually is.

I saw similar jackets to this in Zara and Penneys before I went to Munich but they had button fastenings rather than zips.

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Botanic Gardens Dublin

I think the zip gives it a little more shape.

Puffer jackets can give me somewhat of a “Michelin man” silhouette especially as I’m petite and curvy on top but this one is quite flattering.

If you are visiting the gardens, a few layers are advisable as you’ll be going from the cold outside into the steamy warm glasshouses.

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There’s loads to see and admission is free so you can have a leisurely stroll and learn some interesting facts such as avocado is actually the Aztec word for “testicle”! (No lie!)

The Palm House is a favourite of mine but there are restoration works going on at some of the older glasshouses at the moment so soon the gardens should be even bigger and better.

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Shades of blue at the Botanic Gardens

Hope you all enjoyed this brief post. I hope to keep up my posting on here it’s just been difficult lately as my mam has been unwell and I’ve been spending a lot of time off work travelling up and down from home.

My family live in Roscommon so it’s important to try and get down there to spend time with them when I can.

Total outfit cost of this outfit came to over €100, however, getting the shoes and bag as a present did reduce it.

FYI, this isn’t a sponsored post and the gifts were from friends and family.

Leave me a comment if you enjoyed this post and as always you can check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

sequin mini dress

Christmas Party Style: My 2017 edit

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Red blazer. Pic: River Island

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.

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Red floral lace dress. Pic: River Island.com

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

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Scarlet Lady: Autumn/Winter Trends 2017

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!

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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!

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I love this styling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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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.

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Pearl embellishment

This is probably my favourite trend this A/W.

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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.

 

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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.

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

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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…

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Check blazer. Pic: Zara.com

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.

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Check trousers. Pic: Topshop.com

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.

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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!

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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?

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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

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Denim Daze: Why we should embrace the return of denim

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?

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Name a more iconic duo I’ll wait. Pic: Tumblr.com
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The gals. Pic: Tumblr.com
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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Denim shoes. Pic: Shein.com

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.

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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.

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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?

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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

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

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.

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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.

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Blue denim buckled skirt

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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!)

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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!

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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

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

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!

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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 😛

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Green swimsuit. Pic: River Island.com

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

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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?

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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.

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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

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River Island High Summer Press Day

by E, posted in Blogging, Consumerism, customising, Fashion, Festival Fashion, Handbags, Irish Bloggers, Jackets, S/S 17 Fashion, Shopping, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Swimwear, swimwear

Last week I had a chance to attend the River Island High Summer event in the Grafton Street store and I was thrilled to go as River Island is one of my favourite shops.

Not only that, but I might be going on a real holiday this year so I needed some inspiration.

I took along my new (well second-hand) Canon camera for the occasion but my photos actually came out brighter on my phone so I obviously need more practice with my camera shutter!

There were five main ladieswear collections, my favourite rail was full of beautiful embellished pieces, such as a beaded skirt and white jeans with pearls on them. The dominant colours on this rail were cream, white, coral and silver.

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Then there was a holiday rail with some bright casual wear, among the pieces which caught my eye were a purple tie-dye jumper and a black mesh skirt with sequin pineapples on it.

There were more holiday pieces mixed in around the room adding to the summery vibe.

Across the room was a rail of gorgeous palm and floral print pieces which I obviously loved.

Remember my last trend post where I said embellished denim jackets were the next big thing?

If you want one that really stands out, then look out for this pale blue denim jacket with pearls and crystals of different sizes and shapes on the back. I am OBSESSED with it.

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Beside this were some bright pink shorts, some lilac colours and skirts covered in sequin discs.

There was also a fabulous pink denim jacket and shorts set pinned to the wall.

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There were also some nice accessories such as a pink floral suitcase, pink floral backpack and my favourite accessory was a white satchel bag with western style buckles.

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The key trends in accessories were pastel colours, fluffy sliders and mules, gingham and floral patterns.

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The bikinis on display were pretty cute also.

We were offered a selection of tasty treats including mini brioches and a refreshing pineapple and cucumber juice with an umbrella- totally summery!

There was also a customisation station where you could pick a pair of sandals to decorate with flowers, ribbon, plastic eyes, whatever you fancied!

The fluffy sliders were a big hit with everyone. Although I probably wouldn’t wear them myself, I do think they add a bit of fun to a holiday wardrobe.

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It was a lot of fun and the girls customising the shoes were really helpful. There were green ferns draped on the walls and a bright pink flamingo adding a touch of colour.

The mannequins were beautifully dressed and the one to the left of the door really caught my eye.

It was wearing a white lacy bardot top with wide sleeves, charcoal grey loose-fitting shorts and a gingham belt. It was a simple but classy outfit, ideal for holidays or festivals.

Beside this mannequin was a rail with gingham, light wash denims, muted colours, light knitwear and some printed and beaded pieces.

I quite liked this collection also, it had a hippie folk vibe, again great for festivals. Just above this collection were beautiful Gucci-esque embroidered loafers.

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The kids’ collection was full of funky sparkly items and sequin disc embellishment.

There was a lot of formal items but my favourite outfit was an adorable girl’s red gingham blouse teamed with black denim shorts on the wall.

The kids’ backpacks and shoes were very cute, I especially liked the white laser-cut boots and bronze rucksack on top of the display.

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I only had a quick glance at the menswear as there was just one rail on show.

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 The only thing I thought the collection lacked was jewellery, River Island has the cutest inexpensive jewellery and I didn’t see any on display. However there were lots of other summer appropriate accessories, hats, sunglasses, espadrilles etc.

I really enjoyed the event and got lots of inspiration for my holiday wardrobe.

Thanks to the River Island team for such a nice day and being very welcoming.

Hope you all enjoyed this brief post and let me know if you like the collections and I’d love to hear your feedback on the photos.

P.S. thanks for the supportive comments on my last post. I was a bit anxious about putting that much personal information about myself on my blog but I’ve received nothing but kind comments. So thanks again guys, your support means the world to me.

Edel

Wrapping up warm:OOTD at Dublin Zoo

by E, posted in A/W 16 Fashion, Accessories, autumn/winter fashion, Blogging, Christmas, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Jackets, Online Shopping, Outerwear, Shoes, Shopping, Style, Thrift Shopping, Trends, Warm Clothing, Winter Fashion

What’s the only thing better than clothes? Why clothes and cute animals of course!

A trip to Dublin Zoo in December calls for a practical and warm outfit. Some colour co-ordination is vital also of course.

You may have seen this pink jacket with fur collar in my previous posts and on my social media. I’ve been obsessing about it for so long and finally bought it in Asos’s Black Friday sale.

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Of course I had to pair with some Penneys accessories. Well half this outfit is Penneys actually…

My  khaki green hat has a pink rose embroidered on the side which matched my coat and bag perfectly. As for the houndstooth scarf, about 2/3 of the female population own this by now… If you’re reading this, you too are probably wearing it!

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Both the hat and scarf are from Penneys and were €5 each. My trusty tote bag is from Bershka and usually doubles up as a shopping bag. However for a day like this, a rucksack is a better choice. This one hurt my arms dragging it around all day!

To complete the outfit I’m wearing black push-up jeans from Bershka which were €5.99 in sale and fit like a glove.

I find myself wearing these simple white runners from Penneys almost everyday. They are a great basic item that go with every outfit and if you squint a bit they could be Stan Smiths…. 😛

The outfit was perfect for the cold weather and kept me cosy while we strolled around. I hadn’t been to the zoo since primary school (despite the fact I live within 10 mins walk!) and I really enjoyed it.

I actually had my Christmas jumper on underneath this outfit but it was way too cold to show it off! Which is a shame as I consider it quite stylish.

Winter is actually a good time to visit the zoo as it’s not crowded and there are no school tours! That didn’t deter some very excited children from banging on a glass pane at a bewildered gorilla though…

Here are just a few of the gorgeous animals we saw from and you may find them a lot more interesting than my outfit! 😛

orangutangs

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I may have developed somewhat of a fixation with monkeys during this trip but how cute are this little troop just chilling by the lake?!

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The zoo has an amazing array of creatures from orangutans to okapis and everything in between.

The zoo farm is a small section with all the regular farmyard animals, such as goats and cows. Here I embarrassed myself by mistaking a pig for a Shetland pony and a statue of a sheep for a donkey! I think I need to get my eyes tested…

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After the zoo excursion, I headed out to a friend’s birthday in House. Here’s my #OOTN for good measure! I’m wearing a halterneck top with beaded fringing from a charity shop, black leather pants from H&M and my holographic shoes from Missguided.

This may be my final post before Christmas so just hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for your support throughout the year.

For more zoo photos and possibly some OOTDs, check out my Instagram. Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter and keep up with the blog on Facebook here. Thanks so much for reading and feel free to leave me a comment below.

Edel