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Charity shopping in a post-Covid world: Liberties, Rathmines and Camden Street

July 31, 2020August 1, 2020 by E, posted in Fashion

Charity shopping was one of the things I missed most when Ireland went into lockdown. As you all know, I spend an inordinate amount of time browsing and trying on clothes and looking for bargains.

As I moved house just before lockdown, I didn’t even have a chance to visit the charity shops in my new neighbourhood.

So as soon as I heard they were reopening, I was ready to go check them out. Previously, I’d lived on the northside of Dublin and although I’d frequently been charity shopping on the southside, I wasn’t as familiar with its offerings.

LIBERTIES

My first day back at the shops was a little disappointing as there are strict limits on the numbers that can enter at any one time and I had to queue for a few. Staff were meticulous about reminding customers to use hand sanitiser which was great but like other shops, you can’t try anything on at the moment. I wandered around the shops around Meath Street and Thomas Street but left empty-handed. Not all of the charity shops opened on June 8 so I didn’t get to visit them all.

However, a few weeks later I had a successful thrifting spree in the fantastic Simon Community shop on Thomas Street.

It was a Friday and there were a few customers browsing but I didn’t have to queue. I immediately noticed some great stock, including a beautiful blue Sandro dress.

However, as I couldn’t try things on, I had to judicious about my selections. I spotted a really cute floral Nasty Gal blouse with fringing on the sleeves and back.

It was a size 12 but looked small so I knew it would fit me.

It was new with tags on but was only €7. I’ve already gotten loads of wear out of it which is great!

alt= — The fringing on the back and sleeves

Using my investigative journalist skills (lol), I found it on the Nasty Gal site and it had been €28 full price so I got it for a quarter of that!

alt= — The floral blouse and belt I thrifted

Here I’m wearing it with my favourite Topshop jeans, an old wicker bag I found at home and my Doc Martens.

The floral shirt — Wearing the shirt and belt I thrifted

I also spotted a brand new F&F bra with tags on in my size for €5. The original price was €12.50 so a good bargain!

I know some people wouldn’t even consider buying a bra in a charity shop but this was brand new and I’m trying to avoid buying new where possible.

I was also tempted by a white denim overall dress but when I turned it around, I saw some marks on it so I left it.

When I was going up to the till, I spied an adorable belt with a gold Scottie dog buckle and three little dogs on the side.

On the inside, I saw it was marked real leather in French and I could tell it was really nice quality too.

It didn’t have a price on it but when I brought it up to the till it was €1!

alt= — My adorable belt was a big hit on the gram also!

Unfortunately, when I got home, one of the dogs fell off the side but I’m going to find a way to reattach it because it is the cutest belt ever!

My total was €13 and everything fit well. The belt is a little small but I will wear it around my waist with a dress rather than jeans.

I visited again recently and there was even more gorgeous (and new) stuff, including an Urban Outfitters keyhole 90s style top and pleated skirt that I may go back for.

I also nipped into the Vincent’s shop on Meath Street which was closed for longer than the others and I saw a brand new tie-dye print slip skirt from Penneys.

I’d been looking for a slip skirt for ages to wear with Doc Martens. It was a size 12 and still had tags on, originally priced at €14.

I’m a ten but I thought it looked small and as it was only €5, I decided to get it.

alt= — Primark skirt brand new with tags

It’s ever so slightly large for me in the waist but fits well in the hips. I don’t have any weddings this year thanks to Covid but I may wear it to an upcoming barbeque.

RATHMINES

There lots of charity shops in Rathmines but I visited at the start of June when they weren’t all open. Rathmines tends to have some really nice stock compared to the city centre and I admired some skirts in Oxfam but as you couldn’t try anything on, left them behind.

I did pick up a holographic sunglass sleeve for €1 which was great because I lost the one my Ray-Bans came in (typical I know).

I will be back to Rathmines another day for a proper shop.

CAMDEN STREET

My blogging pal Ama and I decided to meet up for a charity shop crawl of the Camden Street area which was so much fun. If you can rope a friend into charity shopping, it’s much more enjoyable and also you have someone else’s advice.

We popped into a few of the stores, including Liberty, Enable Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society. Ama was on the hunt for a formal bag and struck gold – we saw a beautiful pink Karen Millen bag that was in excellent condition. It was €15 and in really good nick so she was delighted with it.

I was tempted by a gorgeous Zara long skirt and a real leather Tommy Hilfiger 90s style one with a slight side split.

But the Zara was too small and the Tommy Hilfiger one had a damaged zip so I reluctantly left them behind.

Ama was a good companion for charity shopping as she reminded me I didn’t need more skirts anyway! Check out her blog here.

I spied a Humans of New York book for €10 that I was very tempted to buy but I had no cash and the shop didn’t have a card machine. Now, I’ve noticed a lot of more charity shops take card these days but it’s still worth bringing cash in case they don’t.

Instead I merely bought a few wooden clip hangers for a mere 10 cent each as I don’t have enough at home for the giant skirt collection!

TIPS

You can’t try on clothes at the moment so only buy something if you’re pretty sure it’ll fit and check if it’s possible to exchange if not. I know some stores are offering exchanges at the moment because of this.

Bring cash and cards, some charity shops still don’t have card machines.

Be prepared to queue, most charity shops are quite small and have strict limits on the number of people who can come in. I’ve never had to queue longer than five minutes for any of them but some may be very busy.

Wear a mask and use hand sanitiser – every shop I’ve been to have been asking people to sanitise their hands which is great to see.

And finally – be patient and don’t give the staff hassle, remember the charity shops took a massive hit when they closed and are only getting back on their feet now. So, don’t haggle with the staff and be respectful.

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.

Edel

Wardrobe cull, mending and altering my clothes

January 4, 2020January 5, 2020 by E, posted in Fashion

How many items of clothing do you own that would be “perfect” if they were altered/repaired? That skirt that’s just a little too tight (or loose), the shirt missing half its buttons or the jeans that you constantly have to roll up?

The best outfits are not always expensive or trendy, rather they are the ones that fit us well and are most becoming to our body type.

I had over a dozen items of clothing in my wardrobe that didn’t fit well or needed to be mended or altered. Having recently moved into a much smaller apartment, it seemed like the perfect time to do a wardrobe cull/audit.

Shoes – I ended up giving away five pairs that didn’t fit well to the charity shop, a pair of snakeskin boots that were too small, another pair of ankle boots that were uncomfortable, a pair of cheap runners and two pairs of too-large heels.

alt= — New Look snake print boots which were too small for me

Jackets – A lovely tweed vintage jacket that I bought on impulse but never really wore as it was a size 14 had to go as did a cream embellished one which had lost some of its trimmings.

T-shirts/tops- I spent €25 on a Levi’s t-shirt in Spain when they were all the rage but it was really poor quality, it was very thin and had faded a bit so it had to go also. I also let go of a gorgeous navy bodysuit that no longer fit me.

Jeans/Leggings: I donated two pairs of jeans, white ripped ones that I wore approximately once a year and black mom jeans that never really fit well.

I also donated an impractical pair of lace-up black leggings that I hardly ever wore.

Handbags – I own an insane amount of bags and after much deliberation decided to part with a tiny impractical bag and a floral crossbody that I loved but rarely used.

Skirts- I owned two beautiful leather skirts that no longer fit but I was reluctant to let them go.

I brought them to a seamstress to see if they could be let out but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible.

The zip in the black one below broke the last time I squeezed into it! And looking back, I can see it’s too small for me…

I replaced the zip but realising they would never fit me again (bar developing some kind of wasting disease), I gave them to a fashion-loving friend where they will have a good home!

If you can’t bear to give away a much-loved item to the charity shop, then why not give them to a friend or family member?

Another too-tight suede skirt made its way to the charity shop after I learned it could not be altered either, leaving me with 17 fewer items in my overcrowded wardrobe.

Mending and fixing

I have a good collection of vintage shirts and blouses and while I wear some more frequently than others, one paisley print beauty was sitting forlornly in the back of my wardrobe.

I bought this a few years ago in Lyon Loring in Stoneybatter but discovered after a couple of wears, that the buttons were prone to snapping off and almost all of them fell off.

I kept the buttons and the shirt but never got round to fixing it until one day I took it back out of the wardrobe.

I came up with an interim solution of wearing it under a pinafore so no-one could see the missing buttons.

alt= — A slightly blurry close up of the blouse

Eventually, one quiet Sunday, I sat down with a needle and thread and gathered up all of the buttons to sew back on.

I wanted to use the original buttons as they are really pretty and thankfully, I found all of them bar one.

I always wear my collar open so I didn’t need a button for this, leaving me with just the right amount for all the missing ones.

Before I replaced the missing ones, I went back and sewed the remaining ones tighter so they wouldn’t fall off.

I ran into a small bit of bother when I realised the button openings were so small only the thinnest needle could pass through them but luckily I had a very thin small needle that did the job.

alt=sewing> — Sewing the buttons back on

Ta-da, my blouse was as good as new and having washed it twice since my stitches have held up nicely.

I intend to wear this blouse a lot more now, with jeans as below or underneath my black pinafore which contrasts really nicely with the black in the blouse.

alt= — My lovely vintage blouse as good as new

Mending and fixing up items can be a pain, especially in this day and age when we are used to everything being instantaneous.

Getting a professional to do it is the ideal option, however, alterations can be pricey, sometimes costing almost the same as a new item.

If it’s a tricky job or an expensive item, I’d advise going to an alterations place such as the Alterations Centre on South Anne Street. I had a dress altered here before and I was really happy with how it turned out. I’ve also used The Zip Yard for alterations and they have branches around the country.

If it’s something like sewing on a button or stitching a ripped seam, why not have a go if you have basic sewing skills? If you don’t but can’t afford alterations, then look up YouTube tutorials for help.

Or you could ask a friend or family member who’s handy at sewing but make sure you do them a favour in return!

My little DIY project has inspired me to see what else in my wardrobe could do with some TLC and hopefully, I’ll get more wear out of what I already own.

As well as mending clothes, replacing the heel tips or resoling your shoes will help them last longer. I’ve several pairs of leather boots and good shoes that have lasted me years with repairs.

It’s better to buy expensive shoes which will last longer than a cheap pair which won’t be worth mending.

Outfit: Black trench coat: Daisy Street at Asos: £34.99/ €41.14

Vintage blouse: about €15

Jeans: Topshop €55

Belt: Charity shop €1

Earrings: Penneys €3

Total cost: €115.14

Hope you all enjoyed this post and Happy New Year! Thank you for reading and supporting my blog. If you would like to follow me on social media, check out my Instagram and Facebook page.

Edel

Total Nostalgia: Damn Fine Print’s Telecom Eireann Jumper

August 3, 2019December 6, 2019 by E, posted in Fashion

Do you remember the days of call cards? Have you ever used a payphone or heaven forbid a landline? If the answer is yes, then congrats you’re probably yet another disillusioned Gen-Y-er!

While I’ve often blogged about my love of charity shops, vintage sales and online shopping, I haven’t devoted much time to supporting small local brands and businesses.

I used to love shopping the high street but years of working in retail combined with knowledge of the effect of fast fashion on the environment extinguished this love.

Recently I was in town shortly after payday and there were sales everywhere. Despite the fact, I had cash to splash and there were “bargains” to be had, I didn’t buy anything.

These days, I tend to think my purchases through a bit more and I’m also trying to buy more goods from small local businesses.

Browsing Instagram one day, I saw an ad flash up for an amazing jumper with the old Telecom Eireann logo on it.

I love a bit of nostalgia and I can fondly remember the Telecom Eireann logo plastered everywhere from the phone book to the old phone in my granny’s house where I spent a lot of time as a child.

From looking up people’s numbers in the phonebook, to prank calls and chats with my childhood best friend who got a phone for confirmation, the old landline brought me endless amusement.

With my heart set on buying the jumper, I clicked through to find it was a local business, Damn Fine Print in Stoneybatter.

I had no idea they sold clothes as well as art and I decided to buy one of the crewneck jumpers. It cost €35 which I thought was a really good price and as I was able to pick it up from their studio, I didn’t have to pay delivery.

The jumper was ready in just under a week and I was delighted when I tried it on at home. It’s a lovely vivid blue with a soft fleecy lining and feels really cosy.

The colour was true to the image I’d seen online and I got lots of compliments on it.

One friend even decided to order it for herself in green after seeing me post it to my Instagram story #influencer

I really think it’s worthwhile finding local brands and labels to support where possible.

Obviously, the jumper was only printed in Ireland and was made abroad so it may not be 100% sustainable but it’s still better than purchasing a cheaper high street jumper that everyone will have.

I’ve gotten lots of wear out of it already and I know it will be in my wardrobe for years to come if I look after it.

We took these photos on a casual trip out to Donabate beach and it wasn’t planned so I’d little or no makeup on.

However, I think this enhances the casual look!

I’m also wearing denim shorts from a kilo store in Amsterdam, Adidas Gazelles and a River Island bag, can you tell I like blue?

I bought the jumper in a small and as you can see it’s quite a baggy fit but I like loose jumpers.

It was part of a limited run but Damn Fine Print are now selling them again, just in time for Christmas, in blue, yellow and grey. Green is sold out.

There’s also a grey t-shirt which is €25. You can shop here.

Donabate is a lovely spot for a peaceful beach walk and I found some beautiful shells on the shore.

alt= — I didn’t shell out too much for this jumper haha

: River Island bag with shells

I’m going to use these to fill a jar to make a nice ornament for my apartment.

alt= — Trying not to fall off these rocks

Total outfit cost= €47, excluding presents.

Bag: -(present), Jumper €35, Shorts €8, Hairclip €4, Runners: €59 (present).

FYI, this wasn’t a sponsored post and I wasn’t asked or paid to promote any items featured. There are no affiliate links either. The items I’ve marked as presents were from my boyfriend and family – not gifted by companies.

Hope you all enjoyed this post, if you’ve any questions, feel free to leave a comment below by clicking the grey speech bubble on the bottom right.

Or you can get in touch with me on Instagram, Twitter or my Facebook page.

Edel

Getting out of my Comfort Zone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

alt= — Taking off sunglasses. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

alt= — Layered necklaces. Pic: Gavin Woodruff

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

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

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

Boots €20 on sale in Mango

Bag €6 in a charity shop

Beret about €9 from Nasty Gal

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

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

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

Total: €225.98.

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

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

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

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

Edel

Slogans and Logos

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

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

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

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

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

This was a men’s t-shirt from Bershka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excuse the wrinkles – it was in my suitcase!

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

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

My personal photographer follows me everywhere 😛

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

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

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

Pic: Missguided.com

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

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

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

Pic: Nastygal.com

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

Pic: Nastygal.com

Pic: NastyGal.com

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

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

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

Check out these dupes from Bershka and River Island.

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

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

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

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

Slogan tee. Pic: River Island.com

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

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

PS – this was not a sponsored post.

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

Edel

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

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

Flat shoe frolics

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

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

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

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

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

Espadrilles

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

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

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

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

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

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

alt= — Embellished espadrilles. Pic: Asos.com

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

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

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

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

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

alt= — Bershka espadrilles. Pic: Bershka.com

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

Runners

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

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

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

alt= — Silver trainers. Pic: Primark.com

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

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

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

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

Sliders

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sandals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edel

Wardrobe Transitions – Spring to Summer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Was there ever a less Easter-y outfit?!

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

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

1. Leather jacket

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

2. Ghillie shoes or loafers

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

3. A gilet

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

4. White jeans

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

5. Patterned trousers or jeans

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

6. Shorts or skirts with black tights

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

7. Printed playsuit or jumpsuit

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

8. Camisoles over a plain white long sleeve top.

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

9. Suede jacket

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

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

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

Outfit Cost

Belt- Charity shop €1.

Shorts- Charity shop €2.

Jacket- Gifted from @bomberjacketgirls.

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

Choker- €3.50 for set of two in Penneys.

Tights- €2 Penneys.

Bag- £12/€14 Spitalfields Market.

T-shirt- £15/€18 Missguided.

Total= €85.50.

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

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

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

Edel

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

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