Present land : things to get if your stuck

 If your ever stuck for  a present for a guy, you need to know this website : truffleshuffle.com . These guys make the best retro T-shirts and hoodies EVER! I have been a massive fan of their work for some time now. However I am a bit annoyed that everything I seem to want is sold out! I've been cruising through the mens T-shirts since men tend to have a better T-shirt selection in most stores and also there are some kick ass band T-shirts available!

 Like this one!

Or if your man, or you are not into bands then there are a selection of film, TV and book T-shirts to choose from. Want.

Harvey Nichols have a kick ass visuals team!

Having worked in visuals I really appreciate a well done shop window. I have to give props to the visual team at Harvey Nichols in London who went all out to celebrate the jubliee....with this gem :

and this :

Genius!

Benefit Cosmetics hit the big screen

Well this is unusual...but Benefit cosmetics is about to become a movie!

Incase your wondering how this is going to work since lipstick cant exactly talk then read on....

The story will feature the two founders of the company, Jean and Jane Ford who established Benefit thirty years ago! I couldn't really get much information on the movie BUT I did learn something interesting about the creation of their famous lip and cheek stains!

Apparently they were created for  a stripper who wanted her nipples to look more red! Brilliant!

It's going to be a collection of stories from clients and their own road to success - interesting! Could we have a MAC version please?

The older woman and fashion

I am outraged by the suggestion this week that women hit their style prime at 35. Come off it! There are plenty of stylish older ladies out there as there are younger! I know because how many of them have I served in retail over the years!??!?! Not only that but I have thrown together a list of stylish gals who are over the age of 35 and still rocking it...

The honorable Daphne Guinness aged 44

 

The ever tasteful Anna Wintour aged 62

 The beautifully bonkers Vivienne Westwood aged 71

The grand Iris Apfel aged 90

The amazing Zandra Rhodes aged 71

So don't tell me that women hit their style prime at 35 - what a load of bollocks! I think as we get older, and this goes for women in their late twenties as well as their late 50s - we learn what suits us and we learn to make better choices. The choices I make now at 26 suit me as a 26 year old woman and I know my shape. I don't pander to trends as much as I used to and I don't dress like a lunatic anymore. We grow into our style as we get older but to suggest that women have a style sell by date is insanity and just another way in which fashion retail rejects the idea of fashionable older women.

Germaine Greer wrote a wonderful article on this for ELLE UK a few years ago in which she spoke about the exclusion of older women by fashion retail in recent years. I wrote about the piece here and you can see for yourself - it was a wonderful thing to read. 

If you need further convincing then why not check out http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/ which brings you photos of the amazing style of older ladies....

....I personally plan to be fab, fifty and wear purple...as the poem goes....

Sick Studs Dublin

I love studded things, I love anything with studs on it and I'm passionate about supporting Irish designers and brands who are brave enough to bring something new to the high street. So I am happy to feature some of the work of Sick Studs.

Sick Studs can be located at the basement of  51 South William Street and its a great place to get studs in order to customise your clothing. I used to buy studs in Cork years ago to make all manner or studded everything - before the place went out of business and I couldn't get them anymore! It's great to see people getting into the customising bug!

http://www.facebook.com/SICKSTUDS/info

UCD graduate Emer dropped me an email over the weekend to let me know about her brand and the range of spikes available. She established the brand when she, like me, couldn't buy spikes anywhere in Ireland for customising clothing. You can see for yourself on their big cartel site and maybe pick up a few for yourself here.

But it's not just the studs that are on sale as she also customises the T-shirts and hats you see pictured on their site.

You can keep an eye on their tumblr and twitter sites here too!

THE BEAUTY SPOT : HD Brows

I must admit I am incredibly lazy when it comes to my brows! I have long been of the shading and shaping myself school of eyebrow make-up artistery. So when a fellow make-up artist, Natasha offered to test out the new HD brow experience for me, I jumped at the chance to welcome, not only a guest writer on the blog but to find out how she got on! Here in her own words she describes her brow experience....

HD BROW EXPERIENCE 

Megan Fox, Angeline Jolie, Beyoncé Knowles. These are some celeb's that pop into my head when I think beautiful brow! Being a make-up artist I can't help but dissect people's faces,shapes and contour's. Symmetry is a must! Now I don't think that both brow's need be identical but they must enhance the shape of what's around them mainly the brow bone the eyes and the wearer!

I was on a mission for the perfect brow and after much patience and determination(3month's if you must know! I had allowed my brow's to cultivate, grow and spread out as nature had intended.  Yes,I felt self conscious and yes, people literally asked me 'What's the story with your brow's?!! but for me it was a means to an end. The most spectacular, sensual, come to bed arked brow I could physically handle would be mine at last!!!!

So I researched online and this link kept crossing my path:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k1A764_xo8

It say's it all and in under 10 minutes:) I showed it to my friend's, my partner, my mum. Anyone that had commented on the ridiculous bushy growth's on my face! So I did some research and found a newly opened boutique of some 5 month's called The HD Brow Beautique in the Jervis Shopping Centre on Henry Street. My friend Girlie(yes that's her real name!) and I went in and had an allergy test done, took a look at the place and made a booking.

First impressions for myself and Girlie was surprise, as the place is less a store or boutique and more like a stall. It's design is similar to that of the make up company Inglot. The boutique is hidden away on the first floor almost between shop floors on the escalators. There is only ever one girl serving at any time, I am presuming this is due to size and also because they are still building a clientele list after only 5 months of business.

http://www.thebrowboutique.ie/

Girlie went first in the chair as I sat patiently nearby on a bench with a good novel! Her whole experience took about 35 minutes and the girl performing the service was polite chatty and really gave Girlie a lot of attention. However towards the end Girlie called me over. I went over and poor Girlie had two brown leeches drawn onto her face! She kindly told the girl she didn't like it and to take it back. The girl did so obligingly muttering something like ' It will look better when you have a full face of make-up on'. However I know Girlie NEVER wears make-up. She's one of those au naturel gals. Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture and returned to my humble bench to await my turn!

Having seen Girlie's end result I kind of new what to expect. My experience was just like that in the video linked above. I was sat down and the girl spoke me through the procedure. She tinted, threaded, waxed and plucked every unwanted hair from sight. She trimmed the longer hairs into a desired shape. This so far looked fab compared to what I had had previously! Next came the part wherein my brow's needed filling. The end result ladies and gentlemen was this......

It has been a slow news day

today there has been no news. Apart from this photo in which Kanye's pants fell down. Yes. Take a moment with that one...its almost too easy...would anyone like to start the jokes?

Neon nail varnish is illegal....wait, what??

Erm, so here is a new one I haven't heard before.....apparently producing neon nail varnish is illegal in America.....how?!?!?!?

Can anyone clear this up for us? What is it about nail varnish in neon shades that makes it so banned?

Fringed wonderment

Since my fringed handbag broke yesterday, I am already looking for ways to get more fringed things into my wardrobe and I happened upon this skirt.

It's from Zara, it's €30 BUT it's navy....normally this would not be an issue but since I am on a quest for work clothing - it is. Sadly.

I might get it anyway as its well gorgeous! Zara skirt

my new necklace

 I have to share this gorgeous piece of jewelry I got in Topshop yesterday! Thanks to the sale, I got it for six euro but how gorgeous is this??????

 I love the fact that it has this beautiful string instead of a chain as well - the only thing I don't like is the weird stones which cheapens it. However, you cant have everything!

Happy days!

MAC release new sets

 MAC are releasing sets! If you've ever had a shade of lipstick that you wish came in a gloss and/or a nail varnish - then your in luck! The colors were carefully chosen as they are the most popular shades in different countries. So far there are sets of Rebel, Russian Red, Snob, Myth and Saint Germain to choose from! Personally I want to get Rebel set as its one of my go-to lipsticks

WORKFACE : Red and black

 I adapted my 50s eyeliner for work yesterday. I also seem to be really really into dots at the moment as well. Don't ask me why!

 So the look and the make-up is the same as the day before but the line now extends below the eye. I am also loving strong brows at the moment although I need a new brow pencil badly. I used Benefit eyeshadow to get the darker shade here

And the lipstick of course is Ruby Woo.

TREND : Yellow clothing

 Yellow is a trend I am wary about. I have bleached blonde hair and I think it can make me seem a bit....paler then normal when combined with certain shades of yellow. I also think it makes my hair seem yellow too. However I am full on in love with this blazer from River Island which I have tried on twice now. It's literally neon yellow and fills my tiny heart with joy. It's impossible to be down while wearing this color!  I would team it with navy jeans and a simple T-shirt for a night out....but my rules of color mean I can't bring myself to buy it. I know this is going to end up like the time I passed on that French Connection swing coat in neon yellow and regretted it for years - in fact it was on a girl on Come Dine With Me last night and I was still regretting it.
Have a gander at the jacket and let me know here

If your not as neon as that - then why not try this very ladylike dress from Reiss? It can be found here

Or back to this which I posted yesterday - the yellow skirt from Oasis? It's only €62 and it's mad cute. I think this is the only way I can do yellow - as far away from my hair on the body as you can get!!!!

In other news - I popped in yesterday and the long maxi skirts which I posted in green on the blog also come in white (which looks gorgeous) black and also in red on the website. Oasis in Galway have the white and the black already on the floor - I might hold off until the green one arrives as its pure sex....

Louboutin to make glass slipper

Christian Louboutin is going to make the slipper from Cinderella.

To celebrate the re release of Cinderella by Disney on DVD! Wonder how durable a glass slipper is?

How ever good it is - I don't think its up to pounding the streets of Dublin just yet.....

WORK FACE : Black, White and Red

 It's been a while since we had a work related post about my face! The reason for this being that I've been so bloody tired of late and unable to get up the motivation to do much more then get dressed and leave the house. I photographed my 'look' yesterday before I got too tired though - so here she goes!

The eyes - I started by using 'Gesso' by MAC across the lid using a short flat brush, I layered it to get an intense color. I then popped Rimmel eyeliner liquid across the lid before flicking it out and adding a small dot just under the flick. I threw on L'Oreal mascara too. I kept the underneath of the eye clean as I think it can look a bit much to have liner and liner underneath and it looks cleaner to have one simple line. So that was my eye done!

 The base - I have been using studio fix in NC15, because my skin is very tired and dry at the moment - the studio fix is not sitting as it normally does. I have been mixing a small amount into Clinique moisturiser to get a glow and its really working! I am also using Pro Long Wear bronzer on my cheeks here and I've mixed in some highlighter from MAC in 'Superb' across the tops of my cheekbones. I also popped Rimmels highlighter and concealer in one under my eyes and on some blemishes....

The Lips - I outlined the lips using 'Cherry' by MAC as liner is important with bright red and then I popped 'Ruby Woo' on to fill it in.

Eyebrows - I have to be honest and say I used an eyeshadow from Benefit here but I am not sure which one it was! It was used with an angled brush anyway!!!!!

Betsy Johnson to close 63 stores

“The decision to seek protection under chapter 11 comes after months of rigorously pursuing alternative restructuring arrangements to address Betsey Johnson LLC’s cash flow problems. After exhausting our resources and possibilities, it became apparent that neither a restructuring arrangement with a new equity investor nor a sale of the business enterprise as a going concern outside of bankruptcy was to be forthcoming. Accordingly, our board made the determination that a Chapter 11 store closing process will likely be the best way to maximize the value of the company’s assets, for the benefit of its creditors.”

Betsy Johnson filed for bankrupted yesterday which means the closure of 63 stores and the loss of 350 jobs in the free standing stores. Concessions will continue to run and also Johnson will stay on in her position with Macys.

What is going on with fashion!!!! This is the second brand in a week to announce not just problems but closures and sales of the company. Has the recession finally caught up with clothing?

Hood dress lust

I love a dress with a hood. So naturally I love this....its both black so I could wear it for work and has a hood so I could pretend to be some sort of gothic little red riding hood.....

It's from I Don't Like Mondays....$108 here

Oasis have some nice skirts!

 I've been popping into Oasis a lot of late and I noticed this skirt every time I have been in there. Oasis and I have a long history of ignoring each other - I pretend they don't exist and they pretend not to make clothes that fit me. However, with my recent weight loss and recent body shape change (from a 12 to a 10) I am now Oasis fit. But the company had changed. I just find it too girly and too work orientated for my tastes. But while looking for the yellow skirt to show you - I also found this green one which is tickling my skirt tastebuds....

How cute is that?!?!?! it's €62 from here

Whistles bring us the new Carrie!

Hot on the hemline of last years success with the Carrie skirt - remember the mid length or maxi pleated skirts that popped up all over the high street? Well, that was because of the Carrie.

Whistles have introduced the Lottie skirt. The perfect combination of mid length, pleated and pastel without it being overboard.

I actually like it - and I hate pastel!

I do have to say that the pleated maxi or midi is the perfect update to your wardrobe. It looks just as good with a rock T-shirt for drinks at the local or worn with a blouse for your cousin's wedding. It's so easy to wear and looks good on all body shapes.

In saying that - there is a hemline to suit everyone this summer. If you have the legs - then go short, if you have the thighs I have - then go mid length, or if your worried about calf weight then try maxi. The choice is yours

Anyway the Lottie can be found here for €138

Karl Lagerfeld - young!

Be calm ladies (and gents!) but this is a picture of Karl Lagerfeld in a mankini. I know - swoon right!??!?!

I am not sure where the photo came from, I am not sure what he is doing frolicking in the sea, but I do know that he wore that mankini years before Borat - see he knows a trend when he sees one!!!!

YOU IN REVIEW : ZOOEY DESCHANEL

 Welcome to the new section on the blog, 'you in review', where we look back at some of the horror stories of celebrities and fashion icons - the outfits! the parties! the lifestyle! - and then we mock them endlessly while choosing to forget about our own fashion mishaps!

So we are starting with Zooey Deschanel. An actress I can't stand part time. She never annoyed me until I watched The New Girl - and then she really annoyed me. So far everyone who has spoken to me about the show has confirmed that they watch it for the boys storylines and not Jess - who Deschanel plays. She's over the top, irritating and frankly not believable at all.

Anyway, here is her style......read and judge on....

2001 - Now to be fair, no one had style in 2001. It was impossible. Not enough time has passed since then for us to describe our noughties style as cool. It's only now that  90s fashion can be discussed with nostalgia and not laughter! But my god, was this awful. I mean seriously awful. I don't even know where to start - the cheap fabric, the whalenet tights, the strappy sandals which look like they are doing damage or that god awful handbag....its too much!

2002 - Things didn't get much better in 2002 when she went blonde. I don't really know why she is standing in such an awkward position and it looks like her neck hurts but my god again, another cheap dress....

2006 - LA Fashion Week - LA have a fashion week!?!?!?!? But I don't know what is worst - the attempt at nautical fashion or the green boots with the slightly navy leggings....or the green boots in general....

2007 - Okay so we're getting there. The eye make-up is something to do with the theme of the party she is at but the dress is not that bad! I am full on hating those white pumps with the black tights. I like how through the whole thing (there were other pictures) she wears black tights with her dresses because I do too. I wont get my legs out - the last time I did it was France in 2010 and mad hot!

2009 - Is this Luella? It looks like Luella! If it is Luella then I love it. God that woman should never have been allowed to go out of business. However, where did did she dig up lavender tights and in all the effort of trying to find the tights - did she not have time to source a more suitable shoe???

 

2011 -  She appears to be choking in ruffles. The ruffles have cut off the circulation to her neck and that hemline makes her legs look chunky - which I didn't even know was possible!!!!!

 

2012 - We had a discussion about this Prada custom made frock on the facebook page and it got mixed reviews. We all agreed the hair was horrific but the dress wasn't bad. It was actually kinda cut. She seemed awkward with no clutchbag though. I am not sure where the other dress came from but again, I kinda like it. Its grungy without being over the top and the gold belt makes it red carpet worthy. Although the print is an odd choice for something red carpet. Jury is out on that one. I think its a little casual for carpet.....