Best of... October 10

You'll notice a general theme running through my picks from the blogs this month- lots of leather! That's what Im into at the moment.

From the top: My Daily Style; the next two are from a new addition to my blog list- Studded Hearts; Stockholm Streetstyle; the last two are of Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast.

K, so I know this isn't really October attire, but Garance just takes the most beautiful pictures- like this one of her friend Dianna Lunt. I don't know who Dianna Lunt is (other than Garanace's friend) (She could be a nobody!) but she has featured on Garance Doré a few times now and I think that she has close to perfect style and absolutely perfect skin. I love her.

Betty: more suitable for October

My daily style- I haven't seen these shredded t-shirts and thin knits on the high street yet but I can't wait.

From the ASOS lookbook

and finally, from the All Saints lookbook.

Happy Friday everyone x

RIP Orlando Plume

It has taken me quite some time to pluck* up the courage to tell you about this, but there has been a death in the family. That is how Dad chose to phrase it when breaking the news of Orlando's passing to me.

You might have read my post about Orlando and co. here but for those of you who are not familiar, Orlando Plume was a very exotic breed of cockerel, whose time with us was all too brief. As I mentioned in my last post, everyone** had grown fond of Orlando and it was a sad day for the family when he died. Currently we are all at different points in the 'five stages of grief' (I'm nearing the final stage- acceptance).

Of course, Orlando's memory has been somewhat tainted by a lingering feeling that we were all partly responsible for his death, or a sense that this tragedy could have been averted in some way. For me, I feel I should have probed further when we noticed that Orlando had stopped crowing in the mornings- a warning sign that I only too happily ignored at the time. For Dad, I'm sure he has considered the possibility that a carnivorous (and at times cannibalistic) diet was not the best option for a bird, despite his protestations that "They love it!"

The last time I was home, I asked Dad if he considered changing the hens' (Ellen and Portia) diets in light of recent events, to which he responded angrily "I didn't kill him". Dad is still in the denial stage.

* Pun intended
** Okay, not everyone- not Mammy

New shoes #1

Check out my new shoes! I picked them up for a snip in New Look and they are now my comfiest heels. Double the pleasure!

Pillarbox Red

For aaaaaaages, I've been searching for the perfect 'pillarbox red' nail polish and I've finally found it!



It's perfect!

I call it pillarbox red, but you might want to know that its by MAC and they call it Shirelle.

Ponytails

Ponytails are something that I just can't seem to get right, consistently. I find that I can't rely on a ponytail- more often than not, I end up looking like a 12 year old.

It's such a shame, because for some people it seems ponytails are such a reliable, versatile option. If only I could just follow a step-by-step method and end up with the same beautiful results.

Getting it right:


Love this look = soft, polished, together.


Portia = sleek, elegant, demure...


Or Garance in this pic = carefree, laid-back, playful

Yo Kanye! Imma let you finish

Some pretty cool shots of m'boy Kanye- all from The Sartorialist.



One thing that myself and Scott have in common is that we continue to admire this man in spite of his infamous attack on a well-known female artist.

You can't say Kanye doesn't have it... whatever it is. He has it.

How to Relax

I know its a cliché, but routine can be a real comfort in difficult times. A bubble bath and a good night's sleep; a to-do list and a well ordered pre-packed bag: all of these small devices can aid the feeling of finding order in chaos.

Shami Chakrabarti
Director of Human Rights group, Liberty

Morning Light

I'm still in the business of discovering* musical artists. The latest one is Waterford-born Anthony Mulcahy, whose been hiding out in the States for the last year or so.

Listen to Anthony singing with Jenny Dunne HERE. It is beautiful and will move you.

*By discovering, I mean hearing them for the first time on Irish Beats on my way back to Galway of a Sunday night- and then taking credit.

Last Thursday night with Mick...

Olivia Palermo caught stealing bicycle in London!

Work Wardrobe

I think it's quite difficult to get workwear right.

I think it should be about:
1. Fitting in with the company's dress culture

2. Being comfortable

3. Your own personal style

I end up leaving out style completely, because of a preoccupation with the first two points. Comfort is even more important to me in work than anywhere else. I can't work properly in stiff fabrics or clothes that restrict movement/ eating in any way. I tend to steer away from suits, shirts, heels or anything that needs dry cleaning or ironing in general. It rules out a lot of typical workwear staples for me.

That's why I found this post from My Daily Style really inspiring. Isn't this the perfect balance between personal style and appropriate work dress?

Kids- they'll say anything!

Marilyn

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

More things to be happy about (4)

Cloudy days with sunny thoughts; personality profiles; eating all your snack bar items before the movie even starts; napping; ordering in pizza; polished parquet floors; swing-sets; cotton dresses; sharpening your pencil; running on the beach; old childhood books; hot 'freshen-up' towels; boxed cakes; the Scottish accent; washing your car while barefoot; the tangy scent of wax or varnish; department store fashion shows; sleeping with a jacket over you; completing a project while still in your robe and feeling productive all day; getting your hair cut so that it's finally out of your eyes.

10 Best Cheap Beauty Buys

I've been living it up lately, pretending to myself that I am earning a lot more than I am... or perhaps believing that if I inherently deserve something (clothes, shoes, the odd gourmet breakfast), that it will find a way of paying for itself.

It's time to take pleasure in the little things... the inspiration for this post on the best cheap beauty buys. They all come in at under a tenner.

1. St. Moriz self tan: see ravings in previous post here. €4, Penneys.

2. Vaseline: While you're in Penneys, pick up a pot for €1. It kind of annoys me when people list vaseline as one of their dessert-island essentials, as if it is some kind of wonder product (why would you choose a little pot of petroleum jelly over, say firewood?), but I still think it deserves a place on this list.

3. Sephora milky make-up remover: This stuff is great. Sadly, you can't buy in Ireland. €6.50, Sephora (obviously).

4. Barbara Daly eye pencil in dark brown: Not too smudgy, just smudgy enough. €4.90, Tesco.

5. Original Source Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel: My absolute favourite, but then I love anything that makes my skin tingle. They used to have a shaving gel too, but it was discontinued (why??). This is always on offer and you can usually get it for under €2 in Boots.

6. Loréal Elnett Hairspray: For backcombing and everything else. My tip is to get the biggest can- it gives a finer mist. €7.90 from Boots.

7. Pantene Aqua Light: A recent discovery after I was taken in by the 'swisssssh' ads. I got the Shampoo and Conditioner for €5 in Tesco.

8. Boots Coconut and Almond Leave-in Conditioner: Smells like holidays. I can't take credit for this one- thanks Roisin! €1.39 from Boots. STOCK UP.

9. Garnier Body Cocoon Body Moisturiser: 2 (400ml) bottles for €10, Boots.

10. Almond Oil: Facial massages are my newest de-stresser. You'll get it at most chemists for under €3.

Note to self