YeahWhateverTrevor

2 New Girl Crushes: Carey Mulligan, Megan Fox. Who wins?

2010-11-05T16:41:00.000Z

Carey Mulligan as Jenny in 'An Education'

An Education is one of my favourite movies, I've watched it loads and never have I gotten bored of it. I can identify with Mulligan's character- her fervent desire to experience life outside academia, her obsession with all things Francais and her frustration with her age. It's also a superb performance. But onto why I love Carey;
Exhibit A:
If I ever became famous (not that I want to be-at all) I would like to be her kind of famous. Revered for her talent, humble (seemingly anyway) and naturally gorgeous.

Exhibit B:
Her style. The fact that her red-carpet choices are obviously constructed by a stylist makes her even cooler for some reason. Like that she is serious about acting - and not becoming just tabloid fodder. Carey seems like the type of person that doesn't lose sleep over what the papers say about her latest outfit. She isn't a threat, rather somebody to aspire to be like rather than vilify. She's just so... nice. And how can you not like her after seeing the candids of her and Shia together, gazing into each others eyes? They are definitely the cutest couple. Well, not anymore but that doesn't matter.
If she starts shagging half of Hollywood now that would be a problem for me. Carey's appeal lies in her good-girl image. Dare I say she is the new Keira Knightley? I will have to go and see who outshines who (if even) in their next movie together, out soon in Irish cinemas. "Never Let Me Go".

Carey Mulligan at the London premiere of 'Never Let Me Go'

I put this new girl crush to a close friend. We usually agree on GCs (apart from her ardent hatred for Katy Perry but I'm not mad about her either) and she doesn't see the fuss about Carey.
I couldn't be the only one?? Especially since my next target is anti-everything that CM stands for.
Low and behold Ms. Megan Fox.

Now this is going to contradict the reasons why I love Carey but it's not Carey so I don't think it matters. And before you roll your eyelids at the mere suggestion that Megan is crush worthy hear me out, or rather read me out.

Exhibit A:
She's shit hot. Apologies for the bluntness but I'm not writing a column for The Independent here. I know that plastic surgery has been very involved in Megan's transformation from child actress to mega star, but that gives us ordinaries hope! If she can go from average to absoloutely stunning well can't we all? She's tattooed which I think suits her and is different to all the blonde perfect 'butter wouldn't melt' actresses. Plus I'm not jealous of her, which is why I think a lot of women don't like her, envious maybe but not jealous. Differentiate.

Exhibit B:
You never see pap photos of her looking coked-out and she's been dating (albeit on and off) Brian Austin Green of 90210 'fame' for ages now. I believe they're married. Her body is literally perfection and who cares if she has fake boobs, she seems comfortable in her skin and her daytime attire is very low-key. Flip-flops, gym trousers/jeans,t-shirts are usually what she is photographed in. She also doesn't seem to starve herself. The gym clothes suggest she works at it. Fair play. I find that the frail/'trying hard to look skinny' look really off-putting. This is why I don't fancy Alexa anymore. Don't get me wrong Megan is probably nothing over a UK size 8, (if even) it's just she doesn't look like a strong gust of wind will blow her over. I basically would love to look like her. And sure if it's all fake well then where's the threat in that?

To conclude, I think the reason why I like the two of them however different they may appear is that they both seem self-assured and confident which is definitely something to aspire to.

Lara
x

Beautiful Tats

2010-10-19T19:56:00.004+01:00

Add caption

My thoughts on "The Social Network"

2010-10-19T19:00:00.000+01:00

Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield.

Facebook is on everyone's lips these days. It's co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has just had a movie released about it's enormous explosion into 500 million computer users lives worldwide. The Social Network starts Justin Timberlake among others and I thought it was really entertaining. Zuckerberg is the central character and he is an interesting one at that. I was skeptical of the movie, I thought it would be just another money-making scheme by brand facebook but it was more than that. Inspiring, he is great role model for young people. He makes being a nerd cool and proves that hard work and passion are at the epicentre of success. I honestly wanted to study immediately after I saw it (no easy feat).

Intelligent, driven and strong-minded his rise from social outcast to the world's youngest ever billionaire is, however, not without problems. With money and success comes power, and people will do almost anything to get a slice of the cake. Two lawsuits against Zuckerberg serve as the films anchor, with flashbacks to pivotal moments in facebooks creation providing the really for lack of a better word- juicy bits. It is not all about business though, there is humour including a very funny story including a chicken (!). The cinema was in Cineworld Parnell St. Dublin and it was packed full of cinemagoers. They say the sign of a good movie is how little people move about in their seats and there was very little movement going on. I was disappointed at myself for drinking a massive cup of coke and subsequently missing out on some of it to run to the loos.

Jesse Eisenberg is great as Mark Zuckerberg- he makes a difficult character likeable. Andrew Garfield plays Eduardo co-founder of facebook. He is good in it too, there's a bit of Oscar buzz surrounding him. I still remember him from Sugar Rush playing Dale, Kim's neighbour.

The cinematography is nice but nothing phenomenal, the shots of Harvard are beautiful (though they weren't actually filmed on site). I would rate this movie as a good date movie. Not romantic but feel-good, funny and enthralling. I would 'like' it a thousand times. :)

I'm Loving Your Style

2010-09-21T21:54:00.001+01:00

A pretty girl, irish girls should embrace their freckles more, they are so beautiful.

Zooey Deschanel- love her haircut.

Beautiful Shoes. Daisy print <3

The Veronicas. Rating their style... reminds me the Olsens circa 2004.

Obsessed with her rings and hair.

I much prefer AC's fall//winter style. She really suits a nice coat.

Ch-Ch-Changes

2010-09-13T01:29:00.000+01:00

Oh look it's only Cooly McCoolerson.

Do you ever get in the mood to completely overhaul your life and style/self??

I get this feeling quite often. Don't worry this is not a 'woe is me' post. Just curious to see if I was alone in this very frequent mindset. It's a fidgety mix of excitement because you just know that life is going to be 1,000,000x better when you change your hairstyle/lose a stone/get a new pair of shoes.
Maybe I'm just an idealistic dreamer. Because in all honesty...these resolutions to improve oneself rarely materialise. But alas, I am going to try and stick to my plans once and for all and see, if in reality my idea of a perfect life is perfect after all. At least to save myself from this feeling every few months because, frankly I'm running out of hairstyles.

So the vision of the new Lara is this:

She will read classic novels (not trashy magazines) and be well-versed in the current political climate. Conversations about the latest (admittedly predictable) footballer cheating fiasco will be replaced by conversations relating to whether Heathcliff really loved Cathy and the ability to knowledgeably diss Allied Irish Bank.
She was become a fabulous cook, going on regular cookery courses yet will blossom into a graceful Alexa Chung esque thin swan.
She will get a great job in a cool/swanky late bar and make a shitload of cash.
She will have long silky dark hair akin to a sister Kardashian.
Obvs, will have the latest threads, also will give off an air of cool, calm collectedness.
She will be a fantastic, student, engaging in lectures and making interesting, insightful suggestions in tutorials impressing the tutors and bumping up the grades.
She will become a cultured and open individual but not turn into a stuck-up, irritating hipster.

Hair envy

So I wrote these in short hand about 2 weeks ago and I'm surprisingly making progress!!

Have started reading Wuthering Heights, regularly forego the showbiz articles on the DM and read articles with some substance although may need to find a better source. *disclaimer: I did buy Stellar magazine but that was for the fashion I promise.
Okay I'm not cooking at all, but the lack of effort with cooking means lack of effort eating. A work in progress. Example-last week I literally ate 2 tins of beans, 2 packets of soup, 2 slices of bread,1 pack noodles and some Cadbury's chocolate eclairs. Washed down copious amounts of tea and the odd glass of wine.
I got a job! In The Odeon in Harcourt St. just your regulatory student job as a waitress. It's soooo grand. Delighted as it's exactly the type of establishment I wanted to work in. First payday on Thursday :)
Getting hair extensions this week, to be put in this weekend. Yay! Can't wait to feel like Pochahontas. P.s- they're not gonna be tacky...I know what you're thinkin'.
Right this is a fail. Am not cool, not calm and definitely not collected. I'm scattered, crap at laundry but I am this way in work.
College hasn't started but have stationary ready to go. Pity though cos I love stationary shopping.
Cultured? hhmmm heading in the right direction. Went to a Gay night with gay friends had a ball, so much fun. Only knew one person about 4 days and went with her mates. Going to try Korean cuisine with my Korean flatmate on O'Connell St. But feck 'being' cultured. Once I keep exploring and making the most out the city I'll be happy. Just because I'm like that, I need to be stimulated.

Also yes as you can see I am very interested in myself. I don't really care since nobody reads this anyway. I'll write what I like. I forgot to mention I am now a city slicker. I live in Dublin in a great apartment over looking the Liffey that's so close to everything. Loving it. That's all.

Peace out homes.

2010-07-27T18:29:00.002+01:00

To share tears is to share fears.

2010-07-27T18:27:00.000+01:00

Travelling makes my heart swell, I am myself everywhere but home. I can be the best version of me without reminders of my mistakes in familiar faces and familiar places. That's freedom.

2010-07-27T18:24:00.000+01:00

Only I create my outward appearance but only I, am incapable of experiencing it.

Trinity in Spring

2010-03-10T16:26:00.000Z

I took these photos yesterday, so pretty.

Makes my day when the sun comes out. I was thinking about seasons, and my favourite season. I couldn't choose between Spring and Autumn. They're my faves for 5 reasons:

When the sun comes out it's unexpected and puts everybody in a good mood.
Rain is expected, so there's no disappointment.
They are both seasons of change. Growth in Spring and decay in Autumn. The colour palettes are so inspiring.
Perfect walking weather.

What's your favourite season??

xxx

Inspiration

2010-03-08T03:32:00.000Z

♥

Quick Update

2010-03-04T19:27:00.001Z

Hi there,
I am taking a small break from blogging as I have exams at the moment (eek!). Yeah I'm going to do terrible. I have one tomorrow that I haven't started studying for. Sleepless night anyone? Anyway I should probably get off this! Just to let you guys know that I got my lip pierced today! and that I've changed my hair colour. If you've seen my roots in the last pics you'll understand. I'm just a nice light chocolate brown now and I love it!!
Be back soon with a longer and better post my lovelies! In the meantime, check out www.miscellany.ie to read my last column for this year.
I've changed my profile photo too. Try and spot the lip ring.
Laters sailors,
Lara

Outfit Post!

2010-02-25T01:46:00.004Z

Thought I'd post a photo of meself for once. I'm wearing jeans from H&M, a vintage jacket that I got in London when I went there when I was 15 and Miss Selfridge heels.
I don't own many stylish clothes because I am STONE broke. But I do like this outfit. 'Scuse the roots!
http://tinypic.com/r/2r2yarr/6
Jazz hands!!
http://tinypic.com/r/21e3szb/6
Btw, sorry for the shit quality and awkward poses. When I've tried to figure out how to put the camera on timer I will take them properly!

Cat Power

2010-02-23T23:30:00.000Z

"There's nothing like living in a bottle
and nothing like ending it all for the world
we're so glad you will come back
every living lion will lay in your lap.."

Here's a singer I recently discovered and fell in love with. Her stage name is Cat Power. Her real name is Chan Marshall, but that's beside the point.
This is 'Living in Bars'. It's so beautiful. I think I'll be popping into Tower Records during the week to check out her album. Perfect house listening, with or without company. The album is called 'The Greatest'.
Listen for yourself below:

Cupcakes the new black?

2010-02-22T16:42:00.000Z

Cupcakes. Why are these sugary delights so trendy at the moment? I'm not a huge fan. (Seems like I'm the only one). Don't get me wrong, my tastebuds don't reject most foods- I'll eat one. But all this hype over a fairy cake with fancy icing? They've been around for years. I remember attending really cool 6th Birthday Parties with buns a plenty. Is it just the Irish that call them buns? See bun/fairy cake/cupcake is one and the same thing. Cupcake is just an American term that somebody in Marketing has imported to make 'bun' sound more fancy. Dress it up all you want- but it's a bit of sponge cake with icing. People are actually serving these at their weddings?
A bit of light research (google that is) brought me to one company. Dublin Cupcakes. They don't just provide delicious cupcakes they customise cupcakes. Whhhhhy?
Imagine at weddings, the couples Initials adorning these little buggers. Hhhmm do you want to eat the bride or the groom? I can see the fun in making these buns at home, taking them to the in-laws professing tales of domesticity and being adept in the kitchen. Or giving them as a tasty gift. But buying them defeats this purpose.

This is a fairy cake.

It's not the buns that annoy me, I get it: they're delish. But with all the hype and pretentiousness I can't help but be cynical. I find it funny that the humble bun is becoming some sort of culinary messiah all of a sudden.
Next there'll be people drinking 'root beer' at funerals and wearing 'sweaters' to the gym.

http://www.queenofcupcakes.co.uk/ <- fancy cupcake, adjective-heavy website.
This my friend is a posh cupcake.

I.L.A.L

2010-02-17T14:20:00.001Z

My Beauty Icons/Beautspo.

2010-02-15T17:14:00.000Z

Beauty Icons by reine-de-beaute on Polyvore.com

A less self-absorbed post for today (kind of).
After happening upon Ripped Knees' blog post on beauty icons here http://ripped-knees.blogspot.com/2010/02/beauty-iconz.html. I started thinking about my own beauty icons and who I want to look like. It changes on a daily basis. I'm still finding my own personal style, I get confused. One day I want to be prim and proper -knee high socks, bows, baby pink, collars, ribbons,pink cheeks and demure eye make-up (not all at once though or I would look like Mothercare threw up on me).
The next I'm Alice Dellal taking to my opaques with the kitchen scissors.
So my embarrassingly bad Polyvore collage of icons is a chosen few of the people I admire for their overall pleasing aesthethic today.

Natasha Poly: Did a post on her a while back. I love how she has sucessfully traded brunette for blonde. Something I recently attempted. I'm kind of naturally tanned like Nats so I used her for hairspiration. And her skin, oh her skin. Swoon.

Erin Wasson: On grunge day I imagine myself as her too. I love her perpetual year-round tan, smudgey eye make up and the way she makes roots look cool.

Cheryl Cole: Her groomed, glossy look isn't to everyone's taste but nevertheless I find her quite inspiring. No one can deny a large part of their X Factor viewership is due in part to Cheryl's look. We both have brown eyes (the similarities stop there folks) so I look to her eye make up for tips. I like the big hair too and her bone structure is enviable to say the least. She's an eyeliner junkie but pulls it off beautifully.

Diane Kruger: I get the bitch vibes from this one but she always turns it out. Never overdoes it. Her skin would make a facialist proud. Her updos are never debs-y or frumpy. She just consistently gets it right. Consistent. That's Diane. (The model looks don't hurt either).

Chace Crawford: Not my type, but I can admire his suave, groomed 'hot' looks. He can do both clean-cut and rough 'n' ready with ease. His eyebrows are lush too.

Rachel Zoe: I love this fierce bitch. Studio 54 lives on.

Francoise Hardy: She's French. End of. (Disclaimer: I liked her way before Alexa name-dropped her in an interview).

Camilla Belle: Not sure what she actually does. Apart from a JoBro. But she's divine. Different. Her eyebrows are amazing, her hair is natural-looking and sublimey glossy. She suits a fringe, she suits a bob, she can do no wrong in my book.

Sienna Miller in Alfie: This movie was so inspiring. With Jude's suits, the mopeds and Sienna it was a veritable feast of beauty iconography. I love the long hair and fringe, perhaps Anita Pallenberg inspired? Groupie inspired anyway. For bohemian day.

Collie/Sheepdog: Okay I'm not down with dog breeds or whatnot. This is probably weird but I find shaggy dogs/mongrels kind of inspiring? The shaggy matted fur, eye skimming fringe, non-chalant attitude. This is how you do shaggy chic!

Till next time,
Lara.

The first 2010 post

2010-02-08T23:03:00.000Z

I've just turned 19. Nineteen.

Ask me five years ago where I thought I'd be at at nineteen you would have gotten an idealistic response pertaining to a life where I never had to worry about money,had a poetic bearded intellectual of a boyfriend, resided and partied in a bright and spacious loft on Dame St. (in effortlessly fantastic outfits of course), indulged in all the cultural and intellectual pursuits that I dreamed of and had a handful of cool arty mates. Basically, an Irish version of Alexa Chung's life. According to the last post anyway, I did have a predicatable existentialist crisis that I'm sure happens to 90% of college étudiantes. But besides that, the 15-year old's dream never materialised.

Being employed would help. I want to work in retail (preferably a book shop, I went for an interview in a book shop and admitted I preferred non-fiction to fiction- I think it lost me the job) but most want at least 1-2 years retail experience. Which doesn't make sense to me because surely after 2 years anybody in their right mind would be sick of working in retail? And the training of newbies would hardly exceed a week which in my opinion is a profitable thing to do, because new staff are the most interested and employing those with experience just leads to a lack of motivation and requests for wage increases. Perhaps I'm just biased. And bitter.

I'm liking my degree, but the likelihood of using it is well, slim. Sociology & Social Policy. I think I was born a sociologist. I was a very strange child. Anyhow, this is getting boring for anyone reading this so I'm off to stalk people on Facebook.

Honourable mentions;

Peaches Geldof on The Saturday Night Show.

DDL in Nine (delish, the only good thing about that film).

Conspiracy theory.

Shunning the gym.

Shunning Glee.

Taylor Momsen Interviews (for the lols).

http://www.lamebook.com/

Julia Robert's -'Who's Natalie?'

Awards Season (usually means my midweek sleeping pattern falls into disarray, but worth staying up for). p.s how disappointing were the SAGS red carpet. Borefest!

Nudes/Pales for Spring.

Emily Blunt. (in general).

p.s- I'm going to update a lot more from now on, repeat updates of status on Fbook and general portayed loserdom has urged me to take my rants here and spare those that are my friends on that.

A pensive moment...

2009-10-14T20:30:00.000+01:00

Hello my non-existent readers!! Hah hah. I write this (compliments of procrastination) in an abyss of numbing self-doubt, if I'm honest. So I got into college- happy, of course, yet altogether guilty at the fact my friend who worked her arse off failed to get into the college she wanted. Whereas I, who spent the year boozing and sleeping, sometimes going into school came out with better grades. Forgive me if this sounds like a backwards-brag, it isn't. Moreover a vent at the shitty reality of life. I guess I'm growing up. There comes a stage in life, when you realise you are not going to become a movie star, extraordinarily beautiful or a complete success. Infact, the height of your fame is your local pub 'liking' your status on facebook, beauty means twenty oufit changes before you leave the house, yet still feeling like a twat upon seeing your reflection in murky car windows and success means, well a lifelong work-in-progress, so to speak. This 'growing-up stage' has hit me smack in the face.
Never before have I understood the concept of drinking to 'escape your feelings'- what a load of toff I once thought, yet now it makes perfect sense. I don't mean to be a depressive bastard in this post. But studying Beckett has opened up my eager, naive eyes to the bleak existence we, in our lives lead. Okay maybe I'm looking too much into it but.. oh god I'm really sounding like a Trinity Orts student now! Hah, anyway yeah life is good, loving my course and the people but after many observations and over-thinking I've found myself asking the question- why do we bother? With work,money,education,booze,drugs,marraige etc? to fill time until we die, that's all.
I would never be this honest about these 'deep' issues if I had not just sunk a large glass of rosé but hey, maybe if everyone was this honest about the reality and truth of adulthood then there would be less disillusioned freshers like myself, wondering why they didn't pick philosophy.

What floats my boat this month

2009-09-02T15:21:00.000+01:00

It's getting colder and colder in Ireland but thankfully the in-between seasons dilemma that we're facing is coming to an end.
I'm convinced that I'm cold blooded, seriously, my boyfriend thinks I'm a reptile. But you know what they say cold hands-warm heart. (That's what I tell myself anyway)
Since I'm in this predicament I've been taking pleasure from all things warm and fuzzy these past two weeks. That includes buckets of hot tea (I've been known to drink ten mugs in a five-hour time frame-got no sleep that night) and wine (no explanation needed). By the way, if you read my last post where I mentioned the wine job, I didn't get it. To be honest I was shocked, I thought the interview went great, granted I fluffed some of the questions (Eh "If a customer came in and asked for a full-bodied red what would you recommend?", for example) but I got on with the lady well, and she kept me in for 25 mins which is supposedly a good sign since the window was only for 15 minutes. Also I rarely, if ever, fail at something I try for. Still, it means I'm no longer tied to Naas by means of employment I'll just have to embrace the 'starving student' cliché. Speaking of french phrases (pronouns?adverbs?what ever it may be)I'm doing French in college starting September 28th alongside my beloved Russian. To say I'm intimidated is an understatement.
I'm slightly becoming obssessed with cottage cheese too, it's a wonderfood I'm tellin' ya. It's so versatile that apparently you can go for two months eating cottage cheese for breakfast,lunch and dinner without repeating one meal. It's also gruesomely textured -so fun to freak people out with. It's pretty much pure protein, very low in fat and calories but I would eat it anyway as it's just so darn good.
On the fashion side of things, my wardrobe has faltered due to the economic crisis. I'm stone-broke and I'm afraid all spare cash has been invested in the 'Lara getting drunk' fund. However, with a small pile of cash assigned for college I have my eye on some nice semi-casual dresses like the one above from Topshop. I've been duly informed that the Trinity Arts Block somewhat resembles a fashion parade so not being one to be outdone in the style stakes I am hoping to find some dressyish dresses,boots,thick tights,woolly jumpers and a lovely winter coat. How I do love a good coat.
A word of warning- for those who have no hips, steer clear of 'jeggings'. I bulk bought these little feckers thinking 'Oh how handy'. Wrong wrong wrong.
I thought there was nothing more infuriating that baggy- skinny jeans, well baggy-skinny jeans, you have been outdone. Aside from being atrociously unforgiving, they slide down like a cold beer after a hard days work. Too easily. What's more, since they are technically leggings, there are no eyeholes to put a belt in so it's great crack all round, if you catch my drift.
I've figured I'm rambling and if you've perservered through this very long posts congrats. I want to explain everything on that shambolically amateur polyvore collage I made above but it pretty much explains itself. If you're thinking those pens are to do with my college chat above, you're wrong, because believe it or not, nothing thrills me more than a good stationery shop. I have already made a list of all my proposed purchases. The earmuff pic is because my ears get really sore in cold or windy weather and seeing as I will commuting to college until my grant goes through I should do the right thing and invest in a pair but they are so ridiculously uncool it hurts. Any tips for rocking the earmuff? Leave suggestions below!

Until next time!
Lara

p.s- if anybody is also in Trinity, check out the TCD Miscellany as I'm writing a kind-of Freshers Diary Column the first issue is out 21st September. Should be em..interesting!

Nuclear Power

2009-08-16T18:50:00.000+01:00

Anna Wintour is set to appear on the nightime chatshow David Letterman on the 24th of August. 'Nuclear' Wintour's interview with Barbara Walters was so interesting to watch, so I'm dying to see this one. I especially look forward to the questions he will ask, I'm envisaging some sort of topical recession questions,perhaps the size zero debate, twitter and the internet generation,most definitely 'The Devil Wears Prada' movie and who she thinks are the most stylish people of all time/at present. I wonder how Anna will approach the laid-back setting yet as ever I expect a dignified and professional response to all that Letterman asks. How politics link with fashion would also be something I would imagine being a topic of conversation. I have huge respect for this woman, she is a legend. I will be eying up youtube after, hopefully somebody will upload it for us Europeans! Perhaps one of my favourite virals, this youtube video shows how terrifying the lady is.

'Almost a girl, Almost eats Anna Wintour'

And with her namesake as an inspiration I found this winter quote;

The tendinous part of the mind, so to speak, is more developed in winter; the fleshy, in summer. I should say winter had given the bone and sinew to literature, summer the tissues and the blood. ~John Burroughs

Similarly, Anna Wintour can be seen as the backbone of Vogue and well, the fashion industry. Her strength and power is what cements the reputation of the magazine and makes and breaks so many careers.
I look forward to her Letterman appearance hopefully it won't be a case of 'Please bore somebody else with your...questions'!!

Satchel Drool

2009-08-07T14:06:00.000+01:00

Im also obssesed with 'what's in your bag' blogs and photos actually I think I will do a 'What's in my bag' post in the future! The curious cat in me loves them.

Fancy Dress and College Mess

2009-08-07T13:26:00.000+01:00

I haven't been writing enough these days. My life is changing so rapidly, I'm moving house (the family home is moving), awaiting Leaving Cert results, have a boyfriend,preparing for a job interview by learning about wine varieties- which is surprisingly interesting btw,learning to drive again, looking for student accomodation and sorting out a college grant too at the same time keeping all my friends and family happy. Oh, did I forget my dazzling social life? Well that has pretty much been turned down multiple notches! No money for clothes or taxis or alcohol(well if I get this job it means a 30% discount chi-ching..or should that be clink-clink?).

Money woes aside seeing as a good friend's birthday is coming up which is an honourable excuse to 'borrow' money from my Mam I'm going to a fancy dress 21st tomorrow night.

Fancy dress parties fill me with dread. Im always the one in the glaringly obvious DIY costume. I have good intentions to be the best dressed there but when it boils down to it, it's just too much effort. They are touted as these amazing funny occasions but I think assessing somebody's 'normal' style far more insightful. Since fancy dress costumes are only a reflection of how bothered a person is I am starting to get excited about college and the non-uniform dynamic.

A platform on which to convey my inner personality! Yeah right, in reality I know it will be a case of waking up with last night's make-up on and sniffing the clothes strewn about to see which pair of jeans is least dirty and pulling them on. Hhmm yes also I do not want to get fat in college. Its scary. In saying that I'm guessing that most of my calories will come from alcohol and I'm not a great cook so my diet will probably subsist of fruit,soup,tea and ryvita. Also might increase my smoking status from 'social smoker' to 'full-time'. I was looking at thefashionspot.com the other day -my new obssession, although I'm not a member-akin to being not cool enough at school to sit in the cool hang-out spot or use the swings. Some of the threads there are highly inspiring!! I've decided for college I really really want to get a leather satchel.

Like Chung/Mulberry stylee. Since I'm poor the cheapest satchel I found that looks alright is this gem from..wait for it Littlewoods hah, anyway behold http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/rf/lwi/p.do/women/accessories/bags/leather-front-pocket-buckle-satchel?Nao=12&groupId=597975507&Nu=pca_id&SNtk=&Np=1&SN=151+4294484642+85+4294966371&Ntt=597975507&D=597975507&Ntk=group_search&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&thisprod=597647577&N=151+4294484642+85+4294966371&Nty=1&Mis_item_id=15&Mis_item_loc_id=1&product=597647577&pageSize=12

Sorry for the big link. The leather or should I say pleather looks very fake but I don't have the funds. I was also considering getting a Longchamp Le Pliage bag you customise your own colours (bear with me) which admittedly sounds naff but apparently they are very good for carrying books and allsorts. The bag below is similar

except the one I was looking at was black with a navy stripe or vice versa can't remember.
Can somebody actually clear up if the rule about navy and black still exists?! If so, sentence me to fashion jail because it's my favourite combo. Especially on jumpers and cardigans.

I feel this post has entered rant territory but I suppose since nobody reads it (save for the two comments in my entire blog history-thank you) it's nobodies business!
I always think too that, reporting on the latest celebrity news e.g Mischa going back to work-too soon? etc. is pointless in this type of medium because celebrity news has become front page news and the likelihood of somebody happening upon my page without hearing about MJ's death or similar is slim to none. So I will continue with my own rants and blurbs.

Education Conversation

2009-07-20T16:18:00.000+01:00

The summer is flying by and for me, that means only one thing-college is close. With college comes decisions and as I am moving out I wonder how my relationship is going to fare under the long-distance, new college-friend jealousy (on his part) and lack of time due to assignments and all the other collegey things that I am so anticipating.
I truly cannot wait. I have to wait till the 13th of August for my faithful results which basically determine the next 4 years of my life. If I do well- it's Trinity for me, if I do ok- NUI Galway and if I do shambolically- it will be an ordinary degree in Humanities from Carlow and/or Marketing in DIT. Shock horror. I so want to go to Trinity- it's the location,the libraries, the historical and magical presence as you walk through the arches, the alumni, I would just be honoured to go there. I wouldn't be devastated to go to Galway as it's a beautiful and vibrant city but the degree there isn't great. Aha yes what I'll actually be doing. If you think I'm reading too much into which college to go to well choosing which course to enrol in was no walk in the park either, since I'm so indecisive.
First I thought, ok this should be easy enough what subject do I like best in school? But the truth is, I love them all. I love learning, though one part of school I hated was Biology experiments, strangely I preffered the theory. Plugging in bunsen burners and sitting around waiting for a result really got to me. So I could rule out Biology at least.
Over the past year I have participated in countless 'career assessment tests' both in school and independently but I ended up doing so many that I was afraid I was only picking what I thought I should get, that I was influenced by the previous test's results. A really thorough inventory test (sent all the way to Cambridge I may add) showed that I had 7 really strong matches seven. Where most people got two or three I got seven that were almost 100% a match both in interest and suited me academically. From number one to seven- Modern Languages,English/Literary,Communication,Philosophy & Theology,International Studies,Media/Radio/TV/Film and Psychology. My mum hoped that I would come out with Medicine or Engineering. Something stable and concrete that would stand to me in job searching post-college. Nope. Straight the the CAO... mother I'm doing an Arts Degree!
My application has really odd courses on it, when I tell people I want to do Russian I am repeatedly met with 'Russian?! Why?!' 'It's so hard','It's pointless','What job are you going to get with that?!','Do Chinese instead' so much that I dread being asked what I want to do next year. You and your business degree go get stuffed. I want to do what I want to do. I don't know what career I want yet, I'm only 18. I mean I know I like writing,fashion,languages,current affairs,documentaries and learning about society and life. A job that could combine all those ingredients would be great, so for me, an Arts Degree is perfect. Granted I have Business Studies and Russian down on my application but that is because I like business too. I have a friend who is so talented at art, it is her passion yet pressure from her parents and wanting to get a well paid job in her mind led her to enrol in Commerce. She hated the course and failed the year. Thus proving my point. So mother, and all those quick to slate Arts Degrees are you doing what you love or just because you think it's a safe bet for a job? I know that my degree won't open the door to a career straight away but the economy is constantly changing and who knows maybe it's us Arts Students that will be in high demand in 5 years time? Okay it's not probable but I know for the next four years I want to something I'm passionate about no matter how 'pointless' it is!

Supermogul

2009-07-13T14:31:00.000+01:00

It's been quite clear for sometime that Kate Moss has been taking career steps to gradually phase out modelling as the main money-maker in her career. After that cocaine scandal in 2005 and a plethora of bad press, in true Moss fashion she kept her silence and the controversy only made the icon more notorious. The cocaine story only really increased her street cred and made her look more 'rock and roll' something I believe Kate wants. All the style groupies of the sixties Anita Pallenberg,Penny Tree and Marianne Faithfull clearly inspire Kate, with Faithfull even accusing Kate of taking credit for a style not all her own- ‘Now I see pictures of her with a boy who looks like Mick Jagger, and her looking like me. So there was a reason. It’s one of her gigs to do me,’ she told The Times. She continued on to call Kate a 'vampire' who stole her style. Well it looks like Kate is having the last laugh. Instead of replying to Marianne's rant through a press interview in the typical celebrity fashion she kept her silence as ever, and is now making a buck off her style. It seems 'Kate Moss- the brand' is only beginning.

For years die-hard fans like myself, had to feed our Moss addictions through grainy candids and articles. She rarely if ever gave interviews which created a mysterious and unattainable media personality that only left us thirsty for more. Arcadia boss Philip Green just so quenched our fashion thirst by teaming up with fellow Croydonite Kate to produce a collection for high street favourite TOPSHOP.

Just a few months after the release of her perfume 'Kate', hundreds of fashionistas-young and old queued up in their droves outside the many TOPSHOP branches all vying for a piece of Kate or rather, Kate 'inspired' clothes. The first line flew off the shelves and demand for a second collection was already evident. Customers could only buy five items of clothing at a time and many entrepreneurs did just that, whacked them up on ebay that evening to sell to international buyers without access to TOPSHOP, making huge profits. Perhaps it was those incidents that lead Philip Green to start shippping to the USA from Topshop.com which was now garnering hundreds of thousands of hits a day helped by the inclusion of the Kate Moss collection.

The success of international shipping and Kate Moss as a sort of TOPSHOP ambassador made both Philip Green and Kate Moss happy campers. Kate was moving away from modelling and stepping into a more entrepreneurial role. Rimmel London, who she had been the face of for many years hired both Lily Cole and Sophie Ellis-Bextor to model alongside Kate. Longchamp who snapped up Kate right after the cocaine scandal hired Ukrainian model Sasha Pivovarova to star alongside Kate in recent campaigns where before she had shot them alone. So where else was Kate to move from modelling than to designing? Never one to love tv interviews, presenting was out of the question. She knew everything she wore sold out quicker that you can say 'this in a size eight please' so clever Kate called up Philip Green and a match made in retail heaven was born. The Kate Moss for TOPSHOP collection is continually a great sucess. Although criticised for only suiting slim girls (what else would you expect from a Kate Moss collection in fairness) little Miss Business woman Kate started hanging out with Beth Ditto the outlandish and famously large frontwoman of band The Gossip which smartly quietened the gossip rag.

She is very smart indeed. With the new news of the creation of an entertainment empire to rival Disney's spearheaded by Philip Green and Simon Cowell and creative direction provided by Kate hitting the headlines today it seems that the transition from supermodel to supermogul is now complete.

Shalom dear bloggers..

2009-07-09T17:14:00.000+01:00

I'm back! After a brief hiatus, both to finish my second-level education (forever- aaah!!) and a three-week working holiday in Crete I am overflowing with inspiration for posts. Although in my absence any relevant topics are now old news; MJ's death,'It's On With Alexa Chung',the London heatwave etc. I've lots to write about.
Anyway, as an avid list-writer sitting in Gatwick alone with only a trashy novel, the discovery of a rogue pen amongst many feckless objects resulted in me counting up all my euro coins to buy a notebook, something, anything to write on. The huge red sign on the bank desk said NO COMMISSION so I gleefully exchanged my six euros for...£3.13. Leaving Cert Business didn't mention the exchange was this bad. I, the amateur traveller failed to read the smallprint -*on sums larger than £250* So I bought a huge coffee and wrote on the inside cover on my Greek Mythology book instead.
I decided with my newfound freedom upon leaving school and with college life on the horizon I would make a list of all the things I hope to accomplish in the near future. These included many ridiculous (get up no later than 9.30am on weekdays) and necessary (learn French grammar and syntax rules thoroughly) plans. I love planning. As previously mentioned I am an idealist so naturally, making lists and plans for me is as satisfying as a pessimist receiving bad news.
Other plans included;

Make a mood board and style inspiration folder
Take cookery class/buy cookbook
Start going on walks (thought gym was too unrealistic)
~~Clean house everyday~~
Discover novel way to make money
Failing sucessful discovery, look for job
Drink more water
Update blog regularly and make online contacts
Be more positive,easier to live with
Try read one book a week-books of substance,mags don't count.
Tell somebody something nice/pay a compliment at least once a day for karmic relevance
Filter crap out of wardrobe, stock up on basics i.e black,white,grey vests,cardis etc.
Make time for relatives paying special attention to kids and grandparents
Go to more gigs and discover new bands
Cultivate my language skills keeping up my Irish and prepping my French for college.

And that was pretty much it.

Last night, at a midweek karaoke session ('Valerie' if you're asking) I was chatting about the aforementioned list with a friend when she admitted to me her and her mum had,the previous night made two cardboards apspiration boards if you like, with cut out photos from magazines of all their goals. Her mum had a picture of a car,a toned stomach and a baby et al. I almost fell off my bar stool at this revelation. Visual lists. Wish me luck finding a picture to represent Gaeilge amongst a sea of Vogues and Elles.

Whatever Happened To: Gap Ads

2009-05-22T11:01:00.000+01:00

The Gap
The Gap Inc. awh Gap or 'The Gap' has kind of fallen off the radar in recent years. Their ads used to be amazing my personal fave was the SJP/Lenny Kravitz one.

Yes the Gap ads were iconic. Christmas time brought festive ads and they used celebrity models in a playful, fun way (apart from that Joss Stone monstrosity-bad move Gap).
Gap is famed for it's 'basics'. It's strengths do not lie in it's dynamic designs- you went to Gap for wardrobe staples- the white shirt, black capris, vests etc. Yet what Gap lacked for in creativity they made up for in their ad campaigns.
Unfortunately, this was a double-edged sword. Heavy spending on promotion and an unfortunate child labour claim meant the nineties brand fell hard. According to my dear friend wikipedia 'Due to lack of a clear message, it has been alleged that Gap has lost contact with its core customers which the company is attempting to win back. Gap is the only national retailer to spend more than 2% of its marketing budget for online marketing'. Ouch.
Interest waned in favour younger,cooler brands like H&M who opened it's first US store in 2000. Many Gap chains have closed. They have had a recent change of management and taken over Banana Republic which is gaining strength among consumers.

Gap Spring/Summer '09 Ad Campaign

Yet all is not lost, Patrick Robinson Gap's head of design says, for spring GAP is all about optimism, bringing on bright colors, stripes, layering with colors and khakis is big this season- different proportions, pant leg and using materials. The spring/summer ‘09 campaign features models Suvi, Shannon, Anja, Sasha Pivovarova, Jessica Stam, Sessilee, Abby Lee, Editha, Du Juan and others. It seems Gap are trying to tap into the twenties/thirties age bracket and the ads aren't bad. But let's be honest a static photo is never going to be as exciting as an unbeatable combination of music and fashion which was so integral to Gap's image. I really miss those adverts they were just so, cool. The past couple years they have taken the artsy, classy route choosing photography over cinematography I recall seeing Anouck Lepere and Jefferson Hack in some Gap ads in black and white wearing their favourite Gap item alongside others.
I'm glad to see they've returned to colour though and let's hope we'll be seeing some new adverts on our tv screens soon.
Just thinking about who they could feature.. to get into the tween market and be current, yet stay true to their Gap identity, an idea could be old/new. Like Miley Cyrus and Annie Lennox, Taylor Swift and Shania Twain or Lady Gaga and David Bowie type duets. Incorporate the past into the present and into the future. Ooh they could pop in designers and models of bygone eras too.
Can you imagine Kate Moss and Lara Stone dancing to Blur and Black Kids?? I'd die happy.
Who would U like to see in a Gap ad?

Girl Crush

2009-05-22T01:20:00.000+01:00

Natasha Poly
Okay I have to admit quite a lazy post today folks, but can we just take a minute to worship the powerhouse that is Natasha Poly?? I've had my eye on her for years. I think the fact that she hasn't really hit mainstream in the same way that say, Agyness has, has really done wonders for her longevity. Fronting campaigns such as Gucci last season alongside Freja and Raquel and woah woah woah just clicked over at wikipedia (I know I know not the most reliable source but it's 1.25am on a school night) -she's had nineteen Vogue covers. Granted half are probably the lesser spotted Russian/Chinese Vogues but still not bad going! She is also one of Meisel's muses so you know that's going to be a major advantage. Carine Roitfeld put her on the Paris Vogue (French Vogue?) cover twice consecutively in 2004. According to wiki "Poly earns $70,000 a day shooting advertisements and $28,000 per runway show." Phew.
Natasha is also one of those models you know works hard. I think it's a Soviet thing. You know, very professional, gets the job done attitude. Unlike the N.Campbell's of this world she doesn't give off a diva attitude. She has been a Victoria's Secret Angel (ugh) and also a regular walker at all the top shows- so versatile also.
She's 5ft 10 perfect for print and runway, pin thin of course. She began her career in 2004 as a tanned brunette and is going from strength to strength career-wise. Oh , and her walk is fiiiierce very signature Poly. Recently, the trooper took time out to have fun at Cannes, her brunette locks are now icy blonde her skin is now pale, she looks completely different from her early days (I actually prefer her as a brunette, but I'm no Karl L so I guess I'll just have to live with it).
Behold Natasha..

At Cannes:Street Style PFW:Vintage Nats:

Which do U prefer??
p.s- I really need to invest in Photoshop. Although I would probably be crap at that too.

Summer-the idealist's fave season?

2009-05-20T12:37:00.000+01:00

So yesterday while ahem, 'researching' on the net I came across http://www.theportmanteau.com/2009/04/feeling-heat.html and I couldn't agree more. Summer is vastly approaching, well technically it is summer now but if you live anywhere near my good self you'll agree that it's not summer until Oxegen kicks off and the kiddies get off for their summer holidays.
Ah good summer, when picnics, barbies and festivals are a regular occurence. When money isn't an issue because our lives are so idyllic and romantic we wouldn't need it anyway and when, to paraphrase theportmanteau we all look like Erin Wasson.

When I try to visualise the next few months I see myself pounding the streets of Naas in fringed sandals/gladiators, denim shorts, a casual tucked in shirt or racer back tank and maybe a bit of plaid. Basically Alexander Wang and Balmain fairies will visit my wardrobe at night and drop off gifts in lieu of crap old clothes I've abandoned- a kind of fashion toothfairy if you like.
If you've ever been over at the model street style at the fashion spot you'll know what I'm talking about. Oh but it's not exclusive to clothes, oh no. I will also have the type of skin that make-up only detracts from and hair that is so fabulously unstyled it would leave Vanessa Traina shaking in her Alaias. Yes, I the eternal idealist can dream.
But, until summer really arrives I will stick with reading Keats and trying to learn Russian on youtube.

Guilty Pleasure Confession: Part Une

2009-05-20T12:07:00.000+01:00

The City, MTVs latest 'reality' telly installment

I was sooo excited for this. Whitney was always my favourite in The Hills and I was looking forward to seeing how they would fit DVF into it. I'm surprised Diane Von F allowed the filming at all, I suppose it's publicity. But still kind of uncool no? I mean MTV ain't really the height of fashion.
Anyway, we see Whitney Port of The Hills move to the city to work at DVF and meet her gaggle of new v.good-looking and trendy mates. Her new lurve interest Jay also features in the show. Its clear her wants a bit of publicity for his band (fair enough) but I do think it's going to damage the aul street cred. Incredibly nonchalant, dirty,carefree and hip- Jay (and his beard) play a gig at an uptown fancy bash only to be slated by rich-kid Nevan. They leave in a huff leaving Nevan to come to the conclusion- "What do you expect from the plaid mafia?". That's the USP (thank you LC business) of this show. You get an insight into this bitchy beautiful world. Utter escapism. This is why it is my guilty pleasure numbero un.

p.s- I understand this post is quite out-dated but felt that The City was such a masterpiece it deserved a mention ;)

Beauty Trends to wear NOW

2009-02-23T21:19:00.000Z

S/S 09 Beauty Trends at a glance

Colour:- Blue-green eyeshadow,fuschia lips seen at Gucci & Hussein Chalayan. Quite a wearable trend. Try working the lipstick a la Cheryl Cole. Instead of covering the entire lid with blue shadow take an angled brush and line your top lids with it for an easy take on the trend!
Bright eyes: Inner corners highlighted with silver white shadow. Messy hair and natural skin add to the overall magical feel of this trend. Try smudge Benefit's Mr Frosty pencil http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000FBLTI6/sr=1-12/qid=1235424777/ref=sr_1_12/175-6812580-1829616?ie=UTF8&n=164991011&bcBrand=core in inner corners and some dry shampoo (try Batiste) to get that matte hair. Perfect with spring dresses. As seen below left at Giorgio Armani s/s 09.
Ladylike hair: (Above right at YSL s/s 09)
Slightly futuristic and reminiscent of a Narciso Rodriguez collection a few years back, this ladylike ballerina hair look is sexy and pretty. It would look great in the office or at a party. Lots of backcombing and Elnett hairspray needed and a plain barette which can be found easily enough, try your local pharmacy. I think it would look great with a classic white shirt or florals which are all over the high street and red carpets at the moment.
Happy Experimenting!

Oscars 09

2009-02-23T20:23:00.000Z

The Oscars- they've happened- yay! I stayed up last night like a loser to watch the arrivals live on E! with The Seacrest (simultaneously flicking over to Sky One-Fearne you did a great job!-nice gig!). It was a great night for fashion, though I feel the economic downturn has had an effect, the make-up was quite subdued and there were so many neutral dresses. Many of the guests turned up fashionably late of course, which meant many were hurried in before they got a proper red-carpet moment.
All eyes were on Brangelina (as usual) and I was left literally speechless when they entered the Kodak Theatre. Angelina looking regal and classic in an Elie Saab LBD added a flash of colour with amazing teardrop emerald earrings. Brad looked equally stunning. Some of my fashion highlights were Natalie Portman in Rodarte (left)-though I felt the waist cut of the dress was a bit, off. I would of preffered a longer or shorter midsection. Still, a knockout.
Tilda Swinton- always rocks it. I hate it when she's put on the "Worst Dressed List" what ever happened to celebrating origanality? Fair enough her outfit would have been catastrophic on Winslet or Beyoncé but with her androgyny, height and porcelain skin she totally pulled it off!
Other style winners for me included Marion Cotilliard,Anne Hathaway (though overshadowed by the fact there was so many similar dresses) and SJP's "barely mint" Dior Haute Couture gown. Did anyone notice how SJP seemed to be trying so hard to put them divorce rumours with MB to rest? Arm-touching here, adoring glance here it seemed a bit showy..hhmm. Wasn't too hot on Marisa Tomei's outfit choice. The colour washed her out. Miley Cyrus' dress I hated. The dress wasn't that bad but that belt?? Arghh!! Didn't like Kate Winslet's YSL dress. Taraji P.Henson had to be styled by Rachel Zoe the whole outfit screamed Zoe (in a good way,she looked fabulous) Thought Mickey Rourke looked cool in his white suit and how sweet was his dead doggy pic necklace? Frieda Pinto is fast emerging as a one-to-watch on the fashion scene, she's so beautiful too so that helps. Beyonce's dress was almost offensive as was Sophia Loren's-but hey she's Sophia Loren so she gets let off this time. Would have loved to been there maybe one day...

Can You Be Too Pretty?

2008-11-30T19:26:00.000Z

Hello (imaginary blog-readers!) I've been swamped with school work as I'm in my final year at secondary school- hence the lack of posts. I hope to update more often, I do love writing. Anyway, I've been on boards.ie for a few weeks now and some of the threads are very interesting and raise a lot of issues and questions that interest me. One thread read "Can You Be Too Pretty?" I clicked in immediately and found that opinions are very varied on this topic.

Here is the link;
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=2055423112
It got me thinking, and I believe that in everyday situations being very beautiful can be a hindrance. Now, I'm talking beautiful in a natural, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, stop-traffic way. The type of woman that makes men, women and children speechless. Beauty takes many forms and, in my opinion a truely beautiful person is kind, unassuming, confident, intelligent and thoughtful.

It is these qualities that often intimidate men and make other women wary. A poster on boards.ie described how her gorgeous friend (who is often told she has model looks) doesn't get approached by men as often as her average-looking girlfriends when they are out. Is this the product of insecure, shy males - afraid of rejection? Or is it her aura, does she act like she "loves herself" and send out negative vibes? I'm more inclined to think it's shy men! In all my 17 years the most beautful women I have known have also been the most insecure. They carry a sense fragility. To quote one poster "She knows shes pretty, but worries is that all she is. I have found beautiful women are more insecure than plain or average women. Really gorgeous women...They know that's what they're being judged on." Now I can't speak from experience! But I really agree with this point of view. Take the case of Angelina Jolie, widely thought of as an intimidatingly beautiful woman. Yet, it seems that, in some ways, she tries to distance herself from this persona the media have created for her. Often seen canvassing for Human Rights without a scrap of make-up in Africa and adding children to her family almost yearly; is she is trying to prove that she is something more than her appearance? That her beauty has made her search for a deeper meaning in life. Perhaps she is tired of people focusing on her looks and finds it an isolating and meaningless world, surrounding herself with children that love her no matter what she looks like? Just some thoughts.
Some posters have said you can be too pretty and that it's bad because "Other women hate you" I disagree, an integral trait of beauty is a genuine, kind nature. If a woman is hated it is either because she thinks she is beautiful- the cocky type- not true beauty or it is because of the other womans own personal insecurity. I think although being beautiful has it's downfalls- lack of male attention, people making assumptions. Expectations. As one poster described it- "Also, there's this dynamic of, when a man does have the balls to talk to you and gets to know you, he soon discovers that you're not the goddess he's made you out to be in his mind. Then you're no longer the girl who's "too pretty," you're just a disappointment." -This is why many beauties are insecure! Less pretty girls have the advantage because there is no expectation and they can let their personality shine through. I have to wonder though, in places like LA and New York and in the fashion industry where beauty is powerful and highly sought after that it must be a real asset. Cheryl Cole's career is based strongly on her looks and she is earning millions off the back of it. I can't see her complaining of being too pretty. Though she too seems slightly insecure and fragile. It's a tough one, but I think being average-looking has its good and bad points,as does being beautiful. They are equal in their advantages and disadvantages. We need to thank God for what we have. :)
What do you think?
Other beautiful women include Grace Kelly, Princess Diana & Helen Mirren.

Fashion Flashback-Then and Now: Burberry

2008-09-25T20:39:00.000+01:00

Christopher Bailey. Creative Director of Burberry...Churns out fantastic collections season after season.I know I lust after every piece.Yet times haven't always been sucessful for the brand,who can forget the likes of this picture? (see left)

Burberry was all the rage circa 2001- the well-known check print was adorned by every Tom,Dick and Harry living in the council estates of Britain. I can only imagine Thomas B turning in his grave during this revolution. It had shifted from exclusive, expensive brand-reserved for the wealthy to a must-have for chavs. Capital dropped for the company, it's image was tarnished and check printed caps were two-a-penny. It's popularity even saw the creation of baby blue and baby pink variatons of the once-legendary check. Yes, baby blue.

Eventually Bailey was reigned in to re-vamp it's image.

Can I have a Hallelujah?

Things turned around for Burberry pretty quickly. Christopher Bailey must have faced immense pressure from the CEOs but he did them (and their wallets) proud. Kate Moss sat front row. Aggy,Snejana,Irina and Lily all walked in his shows. Subtle hints of that print kept the loyal (what was left of them) customers happy and fragrances sold well.

Since that faithful takeover, apart from that PETA fur glitch, Burberry hasn't looked back. Again Bailey produced a blinder at the recent London Fashion Week. What I love most about Burberry Prorsum in particular is.. well pretty much everything. The 'Britishness' of it, the fabric that looks so soft to touch and romantic juxtaposed with spiked cuffs and metallics. The trench coats.

This season I loved the ribbed slouchy socks and opened toe platforms. The clean soft hair, minimal make-up,matte skin, dark dull colours that should be harsh but made exquisite and gentle through the use of light, soft, fluid-like fabric. Chunky statement necklaces (although present last season-snore) and touches of lilac and gold lame took centre stage. Even the choice of music at the shows is consistently fab.

Okay so maybe the clothes aren't cutting edge fashion or from the Christopher Kane school of wackiness but they stand-out for being truely beautiful clothes. Im in love with this designer! Please Santa this year buy me a wardrobe of Burberry Prorsum! (Imagine sitting down for Xmas Din in those threads!?)

And tell me who could of predicted that gift request a couple years back?

Burberry Prorsum, LFW s/s 09

More pics found here .....

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-BURBERRY

Style Spotlight: Lou Doillon

2008-09-21T14:54:00.000+01:00

Classic Lou

This Paris It-girl is so chic it hurts. The daughter of Jane Birkin and half-sister of Charlotte Gainsbourg style practically runs through her veins. Lou is 26 and has always been experimental with fashion-at the age of nine, her appearance was distinctive, with Indian leggings under short dresses, worn with Grateful Dead T-shirts and rollerblades, and long dreadlocks. By the time she was 11½, she had tattoos and a stud in her tongue. These days she favours skinny jeans blazers and strappy sandals. Her relaxed approach to hair and make-up gives her look a cool, sexy vibe. She is the muse to Givenchy and Lou provides the inspiration for close friend Milla Jovovich's line with Carmen Hawk "Jovovich-Hawk". She is a star in France and has acted in many art-house films. She has partnerships with La Redoute and Lee Cooper jeans. Here is a video Cooper has made to introduce her perhaps. She talks with such passion and is vraiment charismatique!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etVfBFHk-PQ

Whenever I'm struck by a picture of this girl I'm seriously blown away by her charm. One of the few style stars around that still have that old-school "I don't give a shit" vibe.

Here's rushed Polyvore I made inspired by Miss Doillon.

Top of the Crops

2008-08-18T20:49:00.000+01:00

My afternoon ritual of scanning various blogs and gossip sites was halted by one gruesome headline. After enduring Ugg boots, ponchos and skorts all in the name of fashion even I, a somewhat confident young woman was reduced to a cold sweat after learning of some of the “Hot Trends” approaching us ladies next season.
The crop top. Once adorned by pre-pubescent girls, the minuscule garment is back. The majority of London’s pretty young things have been road-testing this trend for months, carrying their tiny tummies and trendy outfits to Punk, Camden Lock, Glasto and so on. Daisy Lowe championed the trend and to be fair, the girl pulled it off. Good luck to those brave enough to try it! I’ll be there with you as I’m too much of a fashion slave to ignore this trend! I recommend pairing the crop top with a skating skirt or high waisted mini or jeans. It’s all about balancing proportions.
For a DIY version like Pixie’s grab a ribbed white vest (TOPSHOP €4) and slash it with a scissors!

Anybody else gonna try out this trend??

Festival Fun

2008-06-12T23:23:00.000+01:00

Hey again! So im a festival veteran really. From a young age i've been brought to festivals with my parents! (Imagine being the only child at Witness 2001)

So it's no surprise that as i've grown up i've come to love festivals. The vibe,the music,the camping! I've been oxegen-ing it for 4 years now i think. . Its near my house so i can camp and then go home get an hour or two of sleep and a shower on those early hours (6am-8am) while every one is moody, hungover and has run out of cigarettes/food/alcohol!

Some absolute essentials for festivals are; the ubiquitos bog roll, baby wipes, bottled water,headache tablets,alcohol,cigarettes (that's if your a smoker as cigarettes are v.expensive at these events)lots of hoodies and warm clothing that won't mind losing - trust me 18 hours of partying you dont care what u look like! Also i recommend hair & make-up for festivals to be fresh and clean..some catwalk inspired looks would be perfect like above as sported by the gorgeous Gemma and Natasha. Part rock-chick with smudged eyeliner part hippy with a braid swept across the forehead. Useful when hair gets greasy (yuck-but it's gonna happen!)

Style should be functional i.e a dress u can wear with leggings or without, shorts for crowdsurfing ;), and if you're like me, in Ireland where rain can happen wellies are very very handy. Why not invest in a pair of Hunter wellies? Fans include Kate Moss, Fearne Cotton and Peaches Geldof. They are pricy but look good when you might not! Enjoy your festival experience wherever you are!

Big Kiss,

Virgin Blogger

2008-06-11T15:55:00.000+01:00

Yup I'm a virgin blogger. (Well, im about to be de-flowered upon posting this!)
I created this blog out of my own frustration. It is the summer holidays and my mind is swelling up and i need to vent my creative juices somewhere before i become crazy.
Therapeutic and fun is what im (hopefully) going to get from this. If one person reads my blog i will be happy. So on that note here goes nothing!
Summer is here and so is the dreaded summer wardrobe. Full of thigh-skimming,cleavage revealing, tummy-baring garments. Ick. I'm going on holidays soon and made a list of what i need (love love love lists). Inspired by my list ive made a little sample of what i'd lurve to pack..enjoy beauties!

Above;
Missoni Zigzag halter bikini
net-a-porter.com

Sunglasses at Barneys New York
barneys.com

Buy the Apple 4GB iPod nano – Silver and other iPods at circuitcity.com
circuitcity.com

Recette Cocktail Cointreaupirinha - 1001Cocktails
1001cocktails.com

Gladiator Sandal - Shoes - New In - Topshop
topshop.com

HairStylesDesign - Mischa Barton
hairstylesdesign.com

Skirts and Trousers - New In - Topshop
topshop.com

Pentax Optio M50 Digital Camera (Light Blue) - Digital Cameras
zappos.com

Sephora: Calvin Klein ck one summer: Women's Fragrance
sephora.com

Bird Passport Holder
cathkidston.co.uk

evian 1.5l.jpg (JPEG Image, 299x299 pixels)
sohowines.hk

Evian - Color Club - Ampd Up - CC-05FP12
enailsupply.com

Zoe Chicco Gold Leaf Necklace - Max & Chloe
maxandchloe.com

:::TUCHUZY::: :: THE LATEST :: Jessica Kagan Cushman 'Ripped Off By Chanel'...
tuchuzy.com