Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly

Did you miss me?

2011-02-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

My Chanel Fantastia-ed nails and I will be back soon and with a shiny new format to boot!

Try to contain your excitement until then...

A spoonful of colour

2010-08-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

August is apparently a slow month for blogging with me. I plan to post more regularly in September, but in the meantime I'll be popping up the odd photo of my latest obsession when I can.

Today I bring you... spoons!

Melamine cooking spoons from Stock Design, South King Street, Dublin 2
€1.95 each

New from RMK - Gel Emulsion Compact

2010-07-29T02:06:00.000-07:00

Can you guess what my latest RMK purchase is? I love the Alice in Wonderland style messages on their product packaging.

Yes, it's the new Gel Emulsion Compact! RMK's base makeup products are among my very favourites and I've never used a foundation that I liked better than their Liquid and Creamy foundations, so I had to try this compact foundation when I saw it on lookfantastic.

Ideal for dry skin, this gel-based foundation glides on easily - I'm not usually a fan of compact foundations as I find them difficult to apply and blend, but this is very easy to apply for a sheer, even finish using the sponge that comes with it. As with the Liquid and Creamy foundations, what I most love about it is the way it seems to melt into my skin and not look at all obvious on. If you like a dewy finish, this is a good option and I found it very comfortable to wear all day (if your skin tends to be more oily or requires something less hydrating, then the Liquid Foundation would be a better option).

Choosing foundation online can be a gamble unless you know your shade - I chose 201 based on what I wear in the Liquid and Creamy foundations and though it looks a bit pink in the compact, it is a perfect match for me.

RMK is no longer available in Ireland but can be found on lookfantastic, where this Gel Emulsion Compact is priced at £33.

Kiehl's comes to Dublin

2010-07-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

The news that Kiehl's was coming to Dublin caused me great excitement when I heard it and I couldn't wait to get into town to visit the shop when it finally opened at the start of the month. I've always loved the Kiehl's shops whenever I've been in the US and have tried and liked quite a few of their products before now, so I was looking forward to trying even more of them now that they were finally accessible.

My first impressions of the shop were very good. Prices are not horrifically high compared to the US dollar or Sterling prices and the staff are friendly and helpful without being in your face if you just want to browse. My purchases were packed into a reusable zipped plastic cosmetics case, which I imagine is an introductory thing:

I picked up Creme de Corps (€31 for 250ml), Açaí Damage-Repairing Serum (€43), Baby Lip Balm (€10) and Lip Gloss in Goldenberry (€16).

I was very kindly asked what type of products I'd like to sample and opted for haircare, since I haven't used any of their haircare products before. The sales assistant also added in the body scrub, which she said was a favourite of hers.

I'm particularly impressed with their recycling programme - bring back 3 empty Kiehl's containers and get 3 deluxe samples; 3 more and get another 3 deluxe samples; 2 more on top of that gets you a free Lip Balm #1 and 2 more again will bag you a free full-size Liquid Body Cleanser. Okay, you'd have to buy a lot of Kiehl's products to begin with to snag yourself all those freebies, but if you are a fan then it's a great way to reward your recycling efforts!

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream

2010-07-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that I'd just picked up a tube of La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF30 a few days previously, I couldn't resist trying Shiseido's latest sunscreen when I saw it on the counter at the weekend. I like the protection levels the Anthelios gives, but for everyday use it's not my ideal - it leaves me looking quite shiny, so that powder is a necessity and it also feels like sunscreen on my skin. Fine for occasions when I want to ensure I'm being protected, such as when I'm spending a long period of time outdoors, but for normal everyday wear, I want something closer to a moisturiser with the added benefits of UV protection.

And after 4 days of wear, Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF30 certainly seems very close to ideal. It applies like a moisturiser, sinking into the skin with no stickiness. My skin is dry at the moment and I apply sunscreen over a hydrating serum and so far it seems very comfortable - I don't get the dry feeling when I cleanse my face at the end of the day that I sometimes get with other sunscreens. There is a light fragrance, but nothing too annoying. The finish isn't completely matte; my skin looks dewy but not in a way that actually requires makeup to tone it down. I have yet to try applying foundation over it, but based on the way my skin feels and looks, I would guess this will also work well as a base for makeup (there was no problem when I applied the Armani Blushing Fabric over it).

As I'm only a few days in, I'm cautious in declaring Urban Environment to be The One, but given that congestion often appears very early when my skin doesn't like a sunscreen and has yet to bother me in this case, I'm feeling positive. And priced at €33 (€35 for the SPF50 if I remember correctly), this is still in the price class I feel comfortable with for everyday skincare.

Here are the ingredients:

Summer shades from Armani Beauty

2010-07-03T07:36:00.001-07:00

I paid a long-awaited visit to the beauty department in Brown Thomas today; it was the first time I'd been in since before the baby was born. I mainly wanted to see the new Armani Tokyo Corals collection, as well as the Blushing Fabric, but sadly none of the products were in stock, due to the delivery going to Cork instead of Dublin.

I did get to play with the testers, however, and came away with a generous sample of the Blushing Fabric in shade 3 - a lovely peachy pink (don't pay any attention to the shade descriptions on the Armani website - as usual they are way off). This blends beautifully to leave a wash of colour and the tiniest dab is all you need, so even though the tube looks small for the €35 pricetag, it will last forever.

It looked like only some of the Tokyo Corals testers were out, but I did like the look of Shine lipstick in shade 54, a nice bright summery pink. The lollipop pink and coral nail polishes were absolutely gorgeous and perfect for glossy summer manicures and pedicures.

Let's hope that delivery finds its way back to Dublin some time soon!

More new shoes

2010-06-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

Still on the trail of a few new pairs of shoes for my wardrobe, I came across these in the Zara sale. I love the colour - so bright and perfect for the sunny weather. These are also super soft and comfortable on.

I also tried on a pair in a lovely pleated-finish nude leather which were sadly slightly too small. But coming home from a very quick visit to Dundrum with another new pair of shoes was still a good outcome.

New shoes

2010-06-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

I've been living in Converse (one pair of charcoal high-tops and one pair of pink low-tops) for the last few months and much as I love them, I decided it was time to add some actual shoes into the mix. I came across this pair in Massimo Dutti and while it was the sparkly gold-ness of them that caught my eye, it was the buttery softness of the leather when I picked them up that made me fall in love.

I have incredibly delicate feet which blister and bleed at the slightest resistance provided by a shoe, but these slip on like kid gloves and are as light as a feather. The style is a bit different to what I usually wear, and Himself has wondered aloud whether I'm about to break into a solo tap routine from time to time, but I love them.

Massimo Dutti also has another beautiful pair in the softest mushroom suede. I thought the sparkly gold finish would be slightly more forgiving of the inevitable scuffs and scratches they'll develop over time, but I still find myself day-dreaming about the beautifully soft suede...

Today I am wearing...

2010-06-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

The baby fell asleep while I was getting dressed this morning, so while she takes a nap and I wait for her to wake up so I can feed her and we can go out and do some shopping, I thought I'd do a quick post on my makeup today.

When I was working I tended to wear the same makeup every day, so being on maternity leave is a nice chance to look through my collection and pick out new things to wear every morning, often finding things I'd completely forgotten I own. Today, for example, I came across the Becca Eye Tints, which I own in three shades and which I'd completely forgotten about.

The picture above may not be great for accurately depicting the shades, but here's what I'm wearing:

Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch: A fantastic under-eye concealer, this blends beautifully, covers dark circles, brightens the eye area and lasts all day. I wear shade 2 and I'm fairly pale.

Giorgio Armani Micro-fil Loose Powder: Perfect for taking down the shine of sunscreen when I don't want to wear foundation. This is really light and looks very natural on - I use shade 1 in this.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in shade 10: The picture doesn't do it justice but this is a pretty rose bronze with shimmer. It's easy to overdo it with this, so I use a light hand when applying. Lovely summer shade and nice if you're not a fan of bronzer but like to look just a little bit sun-kissed.

Becca Eye Tint in Baroque: At least I think it's Baroque - for some reason they don't put the shade name on the tube - if it's not Baroque then it's Paracus. This is a cream shadow in a lovely neutral brown with fine shimmer; doesn't give a lot of colour, but evens out the eyelid and is perfect for a very natural look. Very easy and quick to apply and also works well as an eye shadow base.

Becca The Ultimate Mascara in Black: This is one of those tubing mascaras and gives my lashes lovely length and definition. Unfortunately this tube has been on the go for a while and is drying out a bit so it's time to replace it.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipstick in BE208: This neutral beige shade has just the right amount of pink in it so that I don't end up looking like a corpse and finishes off a natural look nicely.

Orla Kiely Etc SS10 - Baby Changing Bag

2010-06-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

As you may have gathered from previous posts, I love, love, love Orla Kiely. So when I discovered the baby changing bag in the Etc range for SS10 while I was pregnant, I immediately started plotting my justifications for spending that amount of money on a changing bag.

As it turns out, having a baby means you don't have to justify wanting a fancy baby bag and my very lovely husband picked it up for me for my birthday.

In case you do need a justification, however, this isn't limited only to baby stuff and the multiple pockets will also make it very useful later on. There's a large zip pocket on the back where I keep my wallet and keys, a smaller zip pocket on the inside that's perfect for a mobile phone, two slit pockets on the front where I always know I'll find my carpark or train ticket and then the six elasticated compartments inside which are currently being used for nappies, muslins, babygrows and cotton wool, but will also work for water bottles, umbrellas, cameras and sunglasses in the future - goodbye to searching blindly through a jumble of items thrown together in a vast bag!

Chanel Riviera is summer in a bottle

2010-05-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

The summer sunshine at the weekend made me crave lollipop shades on my fingers and toes, and when I spied Chanel's Riviera nail polish on the counter I knew it was the one for me. I also fully expected it to be sold out - this is Chanel we're talking about, where shades like Black Satin, Vendetta and Particuliere have sold out before even hitting the shelves in recent seasons. The gods were smiling on me, however, and I scored the very last bottle they had - "I'll be murdered when all the women who looked for this during the week come back in! I told them we were getting an order in and we only got two bottles" breathed the sales assistant, her eyes wide at the drama of it all.

Caught up in the excitement, I gave in to her suggestion that I absolutely needed a base coat to use with it. And although I rarely bother with basecoats or topcoats, I have to admit that this one seemed to do a good job - despite my recent manic hand washing habit and a less than careful job applying the polish, I got a full 5 days out of the manicure before a chip appeared.

Riviera is a delicious Legally Blonde pink - depending on the light it varies between a bright raspberry and a neon pink and yet somehow manages not to look garish against my paleness. Perfect for fingers and toes - now if only we could get last weekend's temperatures back so I could break out the sandals and some perfectly pink toes...

APC Madras

2010-05-15T05:28:00.000-07:00

I took a look at the APC website the other day and happily discovered the new Madras collection is up. The Madras collections are always lovely and summery and happily more affordable than the main line.

I fell in love with this blouse, but it was sadly sold out:

(the print looks much better in this close-up:)

Luckily they still had this t-shirt in stock:

and I couldn't say no to yet another summer scarf:

Finally, since the lovely April weather has given way to a much cooler May, leading me to wonder whether there's any chance of a warm summer this year, I had to pick up this sailor pullover:

Loving the button detail on the hip!

Mmm, macaroons

2010-04-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me!
The H scored major points by bringing home red roses and these...

My actual birthday present came from my beloved Orla Kiely and will be the subject of a future post :)

My latest accessory...

2010-03-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

... and the reason for my blogging silence lately:

Zoë arrived on March 1st, a whole week early. Which surprised me, as I was convinced she'd be late. Maybe it was something to do with the full moon the previous night. Either way, she was in quite a hurry to make her way into the world.

We love her to bits (even when she insists on staying awake crying until 5am) and when things settle down a bit (I'm assured they will at some stage), I'll be back to the world of blogging again.

Bye bye Cara

2010-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Deviating a bit from the usual, but our family dog Cara passed away in her sleep last night and a tribute was needed. Known as the Red Sister or the Mad Sister (depending on the extent of her adventures that day), she was a 12 year old Irish Setter who still looked like a puppy (she wasn't a full-sized Setter).

She liked to stand and lean against your leg when you sat on the sofa and sometimes she'd rest her head on your knee while leaning. Or she'd lie down on the floor and use your foot for a pillow. She liked to drink rainwater out of plant pots rather than clean water from her bowl and if she caught you looking she'd go all mad guard dog on the magpies in the garden.

From time to time she'd be brave enough to climb the stairs in the house (varnished wood and slippery under doggie paws) and then she'd sit stubbornly at the top looking down, too afraid to make her own way back downstairs. And when you'd lift her to carry her back down, her paws would stick straight out in front of her, she'd be so tense (although she'd turn her head and look nonchalantly in the other direction as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening).

She will be missed a lot. Here she is, caught in the middle of offering her paw to the photographer.

Shopping online at lookfantastic.com

2010-01-28T04:20:00.000-08:00

I needed to replace my REN cleanser recently and lookfantastic.com were having a 20% off sale on many of their lines, so it was the perfect excuse to add a few more things to my basket.

REN Calendula and Arctic Berry Ultracalm Cleansing Milk - I think this is my third or fourth bottle of this, so it's safe to say it's a favourite. Removes makeup perfectly, leaves my skin smooth, soft and perfectly calm.

Philip B pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist - I'm almost finished my MOP Pear Detangler, which I use on my hair when I don't bother with conditioner, so I thought I'd try something new for a change. Haven't used this yet, but will report back when I do.

Philip B GWP - this came free with the Detangling Mist and includes Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse, Scent of Santa Fe Balancing Shampoo and Drop Dead Straightening Baume. I haven't used any Philip B haircare before, so I'm looking forward to trying these out.

Guinot Hydra Tendre Soft Wash-Off Cleansing Cream
- I used this years ago and really liked it then, so thought I'd try it again. Unfortunately it's not just the packaging that has changed - they've also added a horribly strong fragrance too it, which I hate in facial washes. The hazards of shopping online without trying something first...

RMK Creamy Foundation and Super Basic Liquid Concealer - The Creamy Foundation has been a favourite for a few years and is a replacement buy - this is gorgeous on and very comfortable for winter skin. The concealer is a new one - I've tried it out once so far and like it a lot. Very pigmented, but still creamy and easy to blend and lasts all day.

Wrap yourself up in Isabella Oliver

2010-01-11T01:09:00.001-08:00

After I posted about Isabella Oliver maternity wear in December, Lucy at Isabella Oliver very kindly offered to send me their Wrap Around Top to try out. I received the top in Plum, which is a very pretty colour and I also love the Sea shade, pictured above (it would be great to see the Scoop Tops also available in these lovely jewel shades).

When I first took this out of the package, I wondered if I'd need a kitsuke, or kimono dresser, as the top looks something like this before you put it on:

However, once you get down to it, it's not too difficult to learn how to wrap the long strips of fabric around your bump and then tie at the waist. You can tie at the side, front or back, according to your preference and while it's easy to wear, it's also a nice option when you want something a little dressier than the Scoop Top. I've been wearing mine with a cami underneath, as it is fairly low cut and I need an extra layer in the current weather. This is also helpful if the wrap around strips separate a little while you're wearing the top and you don't want to risk displaying your bump to the world.

Normally priced at €85, the Wrap Around Top is currently 15% off in the Isabella Oliver sale.

Elle and Vogue in February

2010-01-09T10:10:00.001-08:00

Buying magazines is a fairly routine activity, but for some reason I still get a thrill when I pick up a new magazine each month, particularly when there is a lovely cover and the promise of new Spring fashion inside (especially in the middle of The Big Freeze). Today I picked up the February UK editions of Elle and Vogue and both are especially beautiful.

Elle has the edge, I think. Natalie Portman looks lovely and I love what she's wearing, but it's the muted tones of the cover that look fresh and particularly appeal to me.

Vogue jumped out at me for a different reason. Although I don't think I love that dress by itself, the colour combination of lilac and hot pink is really eye catching and full of promise that the snow, ice and slush will soon (I hope) disappear and be replaced by the colours of Spring.

Shiny happy things on an icy cold day

2010-01-07T01:34:00.000-08:00

Neither snow, nor ice, nor ungritted secondary roads could conspire to keep the lovely UPS man away today and so I happily took delivery of this box today - can you guess what might be inside?

Maybe the inside of the box will give you a better idea...

And what did this magical box of happiness from Orla Kiely contain? Well, first there was a Tiny Teacup Print Midi Sling Bag in Ink:

And then, the gorgeous Rowan Leather Zip Handbag in Navy:

Apologies for the totally non-arty and unstyled pictures, but I was so excited that I was in a bit of a hurry to take them so I could play with the bags. Maybe later I'll get around to some better ones. The Midi Sling is the perfect size for weekends and shopping and the Rowan will make a great everyday work bag, with plenty of sections and pockets for sorting out the clutter I carry around with me on a daily basis. And until the baby arrives and I can justify getting my hands on the gorgeous new Multi Scribble Stem Print Baby Changing Bag, I'm sure I'll fit plenty of nappies and wipes into it too!

Mmmm, cake...

2010-01-05T01:32:00.000-08:00

At this time of year most people seem to be making an effort to eat healthily and exercise, but I've decided that cake is a January requirement, what with the cold and the snow. And I always feel better about eating it when I've made it from scratch myself.

This weekend I had some dark chocolate to use, so flipped through the Chocolate section of Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess and settled on the Store Cupboard Chocolate Orange Cake, mainly because it looked so easy.

And it was. You just need to melt down the butter, then mix everything else into it and hey presto, you've got your cake batter. I used Bonne Maman's Three Fruit Marmalade, which gave the cake just a hint of citrus, so don't fear this if you're not a marmalade fan. I'd definitely try this again with a raspberry or cherry jam either. Or maybe apricot.

Keep an eye on this in the oven if you try it, at 50 minutes it was just beginning to look a wee bit overdone on top, but it turned out fine. It might look a bit dry in my photo, but it actually has a nicely balanced texture and is a good cake when you don't want lots of fancy icing or anything like that.

Ingredients:

125g of unsalted butter
100g of dark chocolate
300g of good quality orange marmalade
150g of sugar
a pinch of salt
2 large eggs
150g of self-rising flour

Melt the butter slowly in a heavy-bottom saucepan. When it's almost melted, add chocolate pieces, stir and take off the heat. Stir with a wooden spoon, until chocolate has melted.

Add the marmalade, sugar, salt and eggs. Stir thoroughly (it's okay to leave small visible chunks of marmalade in the batter).

Add sifted flour, stir and pour into a buttered and floured 20-22 cm loose bottomed cake tin or 2lb loaf tin.

Bake at 180˚C/350.F/Gas 4 oven for 45-50 minutes, until the cake has set (test with a knife or wooden stick). Leave to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.

Sale fail

2009-12-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Brown Thomas Winter Sale,

Firstly, 50% of almost everything is a Big Fat Lie.

Secondly, why so many ugly Guess handbags in stock that you need to sell off?

I did like the large navy blue DKNY monogram totes, but the practical side of me won out when faced with such a large bag and only one small zipped pocket inside. I like compartments.

Yours sincerely,

Disappointed

Get your 15 minutes of fame from Lipstick Queen

2009-12-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Perfect as a present for any beauty addict (or even for yourself), these cute sets of mini lipgloss pens are available in two colour selections - The Nudes and The Berries. Priced at €24 for a set of 5 glosses, I think these are a really good deal - you could even split a set among a few lucky people as stocking fillers.

I've been meaning to try the Lipstick Queen range of lip products for ages now and finally got around to it when I picked up the Medieval tinted lip treatment and the Goodbye shade from the Butterfly Ball shimmering treatment lipstick collection recently. Both are lovely and have left me wanting more... you can't have too much gloss at this time of the year, can you?

Available from SpaceNK at Harvey Nichols in Dundrum.

Take your next Tripp with Orla Kiely

2009-12-13T08:57:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Christmas, Orla Kiely has cut prices on her Tripp travel line and this adorable upright cabin case is now available for a mere £80 (down from £156). Unfortunately the £25 delivery fee outside of the UK (compared to £4.95 in the UK) is a bit much for me, though I will be looking around to see if retailers here are also lowering prices.

While the laptop bags are sadly sold out, there is also a very lovely large tote bag in the same print still available for £60.

Images courtesy Orla Kiely

A little taste of luxe with Marni and Ladurée

2009-12-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

A Marni handbag for Christmas might be a bit of a stretch, but these Ladurée macaroons designed by Marni are definitely an affordable treat and would be very welcome in my Christmas stocking come December 25th...

Available from today in the Luxury Hall at Brown Thomas in Dublin, prices start at €14.90 for a box of 8.

Isabella Oliver Maternity

2009-11-27T05:34:00.000-08:00

I'll let you in on a little secret about all the wonderful high street maternity ranges that are supposedly out there at the moment - they're not all out there and they're not all that wonderful. Take Dundrum shopping centre, for example. That place is constantly full of pregnant women, yet Marks & Spencer have got rid of the small maternity section they had, Zara has one rail containing a few pairs of jeans and a few shirts, H&M has a number of depressingly plain acrylic pieces and Mamas and Papas, where one would expect to find a good range of stock, has mostly ugly and unflattering styles (apologies to anyone who has shopped there recently and found something they like - I just didn't see anything that suited me). Oh and don't get me started on Gap maternity.

So thank goodness for Isabella Oliver. While you won't find any trend-led pieces or interesting prints and colours here, you will find a good range of the basic items which will take you through your pregnancy and which can be accessorised to add your own personal style. I've tried a couple of their pieces and now that there's a 20% off code (TREAT09) valid until December 1st, I'm sure I'll find a few more things I need.

Two of the pieces I have and love are the Scoop Top (long sleeves) in black and the Cap Scoop Top (short sleeves) in grey. These both fit beautifully (I'm a UK10 and wear a size 2 from Isabella Oliver) and have a nice amount of stretch to them, making them very comfortable to wear. They are nice and long in the body, so I'm not constantly tugging them down. The ruching in the front also gives a really nice shape and plenty of growing room for an expanding bump and they work very well under my ever-growing collection of cardigans. One thing I'd note is that the extra panel of fabric inside the front of these only comes down to the top of the bump and it's quite visible through the fabric in the white colour if you're not wearing anything underneath, so I returned the one I'd ordered in white. In grey and black it isn't noticeable at all, however.

Prices are a little steep here, but so far I think you get what you pay for with them - the clothes wash well and hold their shape, so they will last. There is also free shipping for orders over €65 and when you buy multiples of the tops, there is usually a discount. Exchanges are also very easy if you find something doesn't fit and you won't be charged for shipping on exchanged items with your first exchange.

Shiny new Mulberry (not so shiny new prices)

2009-11-17T05:27:00.000-08:00

If you had a bit of cash to spend on something purely frivolous this Christmas, you could do a lot worse than the Mulberry Bayswater Clutch (€580) in Antique Gold Cracked Metallic Leather. And if gold is just too obvious for you at Christmas, I also rather like the Midnight Blue version (though I do wonder how well the cracked leather finish on these bags lasts). If you'd prefer a more traditionally-sized clutch, the Small Bayswater Clutch in the Rouge Noir Wrinkled Patent Leather (€420) is a lovely option (and one I'll be watching the post-Christmas sales for).

As I browsed the Mulberry site, however, having been drawn in by the shiny, seasonal clutches, I was pretty shocked to see that my ultimate Mulberry bag, the traditional Bayswater in the oak natural leather has shot up in price from €650 to €750 overnight! Apparently Mulberry wanted to bring the prices of their traditional bags into line with the more expensive newer styles, but what a strange time to do it. It seems Irish shops aren't quite jumping on the pricing bandwagon just yet. Brown Thomas has increased the price of the natural leather Bayswater from €650 to €675 and from what I've heard, House of Fraser hasn't increased the price at all at this point. So if you had a purchase in mind, now might be the time to do it!

Images courtesy Mulberry.com

Edvard Munch: Prints at the National Gallery

2009-11-16T03:50:00.000-08:00

We finally took ourselves off to see the Edvard Munch: Prints exhibition at the National Gallery in Dublin at the weekend. It's been open since September and is only running until December 6th, so I wanted to make sure we got in before it was gone again. And with the way the weeks have been running away from me, that was a real risk.

Featuring 40 of Munch's finest prints, including a lithograph of The Scream, the exhibition covers all of the important themes of Munch's work and is an intriguing look at printmaking techniques. The prints are beautifully displayed in rooms with dimmed lighting, accompanied by useful histories of Munch, the art world he worked in and the different printmaking techniques he used.

Oh and don't believe all you read on the website above there - admission to the Gallery may be free, but there's a €5 entry fee for the exhibition. Well worth it, however. Make sure to go around lunchtime so you can enjoy the lovely soups and cakes in the cafe afterwards.

Earning my stripes

2009-11-15T12:20:00.000-08:00

I have a terrible tendency to buy the same type of clothes over and over again once I find a formula I love. And so my not-very-fashion secret comes out - if I had to pick one outfit to live in, it would be jeans, a long-sleeved stripy tee and Converse. Not very creative or individual, but so damn easy when you don't know what else to wear on a quiet Sunday.

So when I spotted this perfect example of the striped tee in Gap on Saturday, I promptly bought it. In three colours (oh yes, my other fashion secret is my slightly OCD tendency to buy multiple colours of items I really like - I also got the dark blue merino wool cardigan which I already have in brown). Navy, red and purple all caught my eye, and I must confess I might have even got the grey too if they'd had it in my size. These are soft, warm, satisfyingly long in sleeve and body and very accommodating of my growing bump. And when they're past their best for outdoor wear, they'll make fantastic pyjama tops.

Good work, Gap (despite the fact that you wouldn't let me use the 30% discount on your cashmere range).

Price: €22
Image courtesy http://www.gap.com

Chocolates with style from Altmann & Kuehne

2009-11-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite shops in Vienna isn't a grand department store or a trendy clothing emporium, but a teeny tiny little chocolate shop called Confiserie Altmann & Kuehne. In there you'll find the most beautifully packaged boxes of the most divinely diminutive hand-made chocolates - all very Alice in Wonderland.

Pick out the box you like (as well as the traditional box below, you could choose a heart-shaped box, a mini hat-box or - if feeling particularly decadent - a sewing-case which opens in tiered levels), the colour design of your choice and the lovely ladies will wrap it up carefully so it makes it home in one piece. And in case you don't plan to visit Vienna any time soon, you can even order online at the link above.

The only difficult part is trying to restrain yourself from eating the whole box in one go...

The outer layer

One layer in

The gorgeous Wiener Werkstaette design box

And the payoff

The Beaut.ie Book

2009-11-03T02:10:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't arrive here via Beaut.ie (sometimes I promise something here, such as the NARS foundation reviews and it ends up there instead), you might not be aware of the launch of The Beaut.ie Guide to Gorgeous. A vision in pink loveliness, this is a really informative and fun-to-read guide to all things beauty, packed full of expert opinion and user comments on various beauty products, treatments and remedies.

Check out the fun at the recent launch of the book in Dublin here, and order your own copy here.

Food frenzy at the Vienna Naschmarkt

2009-10-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

We visited Vienna, one of my favourite European cities, for a few days earlier this month. It might not be as fashionable as Paris or have a thriving underground scene like Berlin, but I still have a brilliant time and find something new to see or do everytime I go there. This time we happened to be staying near the famous Naschmarkt, an open air market which has been in existence more than 200 years and which now includes numerous restaurant and cafes where you'll surely find any international cuisine you're craving.

For some silly reason we chose to go directly after our big buffet breakfast in the hotel, but I'm already planning my next trip and you can be sure it will involve a visit here on an empty stomach. Just take a look to see why...

A flowering artichoke used as decoration

A rainbow of deliciousness stuffed with creamy cheese

Cheeses, hummous and stuffed vegetables - so pretty this could be an ice cream counter

A close-up of those stuffed vegetables

Spicy green chili peppers

... and some red ones too

Fresh vegetables as far as the eye could see

The most appetising looking olives

Every kind of spice you could possibly need

Some weirdly shaped little squash-type things

The Naschmarkt can be found at the Wienzeile, 1040 Vienna; take the U4 Kettenbrückengasse or U4, U2 Karlsplatz to get there. Open from Monday to Saturday, make sure to get there early on Saturday for the best brunch options in the many restaurants.

Armani Manta Ray - Liquid Silk Eyeliner

2009-10-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

I promised this a while back so apologies for the delay. I planned to take more decorative pictures but never got around to it, so here they are, carelessly swatched on the back of my hand in an unnaturally large close-up.

Available in two shades, these liners come in the same packaging as the High Precision Retouch Concealer and are the type where you dip the brush into the liquid. I usually find this type really messy to use, but because the liner is thicker than usual and really pigmented, I don't have too much of a problem with these once I got some practice and realised I could wipe off a lot of the excess product inside the neck of the bottle.

These colours are GORGEOUS. #1 is a metallic deep blue and goes exactly as it looks in the picture - it doesn't end up looking close to black. #2 is a medium grey with no shimmer, but a really glossy, almost plastic finish. This is a really modern shade and unlike any other liners I own, but dark enough to give proper contrast as a liner.

These are available now from Armani counters priced at €25.50 and of all the new products Armani has put out lately, definitely my favourite.

Storytime with Nick Cave

2009-10-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

I hope you don't mind if I take a break from regular programming to bring you a bit of Nick Cave. I suppose I can make it style-related if I mention how sharp his suits always are and how his appearance in Vicar St. last night was no different. Though sadly shorn of his 70s-porn-star moustache (allegedly at the hand of his wife), he cut a dashing figure, as usual.

The blurry picture above was taken with my camera phone from the very back wall, hence the slight lack of quality. I can't really get down with the people who spend the whole gig taking pictures (especially if they leave the flash on and especially when they're seated 30ft or more from the stage...), but I thought I'd try it out to see for myself during a particularly divine performance of The Ship Song. And now I know... no more taking pictures with my camera phone during gigs for me.

Anyway, if you put your face up close to the screen and squint hard enough, you might make out Nick himself at the piano on the left, the Rasputin-like figure of Warren Ellis (who took to his minimalist drum-kit - one snare and a set of cymbals - with a vengeance on a rousing version of Dig, Lazarus, Dig!) and the unassuming Martin Casey in the middle.

The gig was to promote Nick's recently published novel, The Death of Bunny Munro and was billed as "an evening of reading, music and conversation", so what was with all the rude people filing out en masse each time Nick began to read an extract from the book? The bar wasn't even open during the performance, so no excuses there. Even if they had no interest in the book and were only there for the music (or the slightly dull "conversation", enlivened only by Nick's response to the girl who questioned whether he endorsed the main character's misogyny: "I'm f*cking insulted you have to ask that! Have you read the book? No?"), it still wouldn't have killed them to sit through the reading and not disturb everyone else who was interested.

Audience issues apart, great show

Cocktail Jewellery attracts my inner magpie

2009-10-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the broadcast silence over the last few weeks, as I've been away. Before I went away, however, I dropped into the Leinster Gallery to visit Cocktail Jewellery's pop-up shop.

Cocktail Jewellery is an Irish company which was established in 2008 with the aim of providing simple, classic jewellery designs at affordable prices and they have just added a bridal collection to their range. This includes traditional pearl necklaces, earrings and hair combs available, as well as pretty rose quartz pendants and earrings. I loved the Two-Style White Pearl Necklace, which can be worn doubled as a short string or opened out and worn as a long string (€185):

But you won't be lost for options if pearls aren't your thing - I was particularly taken with this gorgeous Silver Hammered Ring (€60 - this design is also available as a pendant or earrings):

And I loved the colour in this Cherry and Clear Quartz Necklace (€155):

Cocktail Jewellery will be available at the "Affordable Art and Jewellery Exhibition" at the Leinster Gallery in Dublin, October 29th - November 8th and I've a feeling that lovely ring will be calling me back. Jewellery can also be purchased online from the Cocktail Jewellery website.

Images courtesy Cocktail Jewellery

Fashion Bloggers' Brunch at Pacino's

2009-09-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

September's FBB took us off to Pacino's on Suffolk St. last weekend and despite the fact that I must have walked by it on more than one occasion, I'd never registered it was there before. While waiting for our delicious eggs florentine and pancakes with bacon we eagerly delved into the Clarins goodie bags so generously provided - expect to be reading more from me about the lovely Autumn/Winter 09 collection at a later stage...

There was no rest for the fashionable once we'd devoured the food as we were ushered downstairs for a surprise lesson on how to mix the perfect Mojito with renowned mixologist Paul Lambert. With his top tips in mind, there'll be no reason not to make my own delicious cocktails at home next summer.

I had to take off following the demonstration, but I heard rumours of even more yummy food afterwards, so props to Pacino's for being such generous hosts and thanks as usual to the lovely Annmarie for organising the event!

RMK Autumn Mystique A/W 09

2009-09-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

RMK has been a favourite makeup brand of mine for quite a while now, so I was very sad to see the counter close at House of Fraser in Dundrum last year. However (it must have been fate), as I wistfully read about the latest colour collection on their website recently, an email popped into my inbox informing me that UK-based hair and beauty retailers lookfantastic are now stocking the brand. Caught up in the moment of excitement, I immediately ordered a few products from the new Autumn Mystique collection (at present lookfantastic are stocking only a limited amount of products from the brand - I'm not sure if this will be expanded).

Here's what I got (you can click on the pictures to see larger versions):

Mystique Cheeks in 01 Pink Beige and Mystique Eyes in 02 Brown Beige:

Mystique Cheeks includes 5 shades, of which three are blush shades with good pigment and two are shimmery highlight shades. Blend all colours together to apply, or select individual shades (for which you'll need a precise brush, as this palette is fairly small). I generally wear this by blending all shades and adding some of the highlight shades separately as required. The shimmer, as is usually the case with RMK, is very fine and gives a lovely glowy effect. I like this a lot.

Mystique Eyes also includes 5 shades. The darkest shade at the top is a matte deep brown and the other 4 shades are all more sheer with shimmer. There is a useful mix of warmer and cooler shades in the shimmer finishes, which all combine well with the dark shade either as a base shade or to line.

Ingenious Gel Eyeliner in 02 Deep Blue and Ingenious Pencil Eyeliner in 02 Deep Grey:

I love, love, love the Gel Eyeliner. It is smooth, very pigmented and a gorgeous shade of very deep blue with a shimmery finish. The pot it comes in is plastic, making it easier to travel with than gel liners (such as Bobbi Brown's) which are packaged in glass jars. I also love that it comes with a very useful double-ended retractable applicator with a brush on one end and a sponge tip blender on the other. Perfect for application on the go.

I don't love the Pencil Eyeliner quite as much. Although the packaging is nice (this is an automatic pencil), with a sharpener at one end, the pencil itself is hard and doesn't blend easily on the eyelid. The shade is lovely when I test it on the back of my hand, but because I can't press as heavily when applying it to the eyelid, I don't get the same colour payoff. On the plus side, it does seem to last well.

I want this (pt. 1)

2009-09-04T03:18:00.000-07:00

If the rather damp August didn't set me off early, then the very chilly mornings this week have definitely started me thinking of Autumn/Winter dressing. Just how cute would this French Connection Kitty Coat be with some dark skinnies and riding boots? I know this gorgeous cherry red shade would definitely cheer me up on an otherwise dark and dreary morning.

Normal service will resume shortly

2009-08-25T01:30:00.000-07:00

My apologies for the lack of updates as my moments of inspiration seemed few and far between recently. Stay tuned for updates on NARS Sheer Glow and Sheer Matte foundations (courtesy of the wonder that was the 1st anniversary Fashion Bloggers' Brunch goodie bag), Armani's Manta Ray collection (or the best parts of it) and RMK's Autumn Mystique look.

The September Issue - 1 month, 1 day and counting

2009-08-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

You know The Devil Wears Prada is going to pale into insignificance when this comes out... I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Camper A/W 09/10

2009-07-30T04:55:00.000-07:00

I have become slightly obsessed with these lovely boots from Camper's new Autumn/Winter collection. In reality I'm not sure how well they'd suit all but the most gazelle-legged among us, but until I try them on and rule them out, I'll continue to dream.

Duvet days

2009-07-21T02:28:00.000-07:00

On a day like today, when I look out the window and see rain, rain and more rain, there is nothing I'd like more than spending the day on the couch watching Gossip Girl DVDs, snuggled under my Blankie. The cosiest, comfiest and cutest mini-duvet you've ever seen, the Blankie comes in a variety of colour combos, though the Hot Chocolate number pictured above is my favourite.

Measuring 105x152cms, the Blankie is filled with a mix of down and feathers and comes packed in its own drawstring bag for convenience. Check the website above for a list of stockists, both online and offline.

Shades of grey: Burberry Prorsum A/W 09

2009-07-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

As the concept of Summer seems somewhat faded and distant at present, my mind has turned to Autumn/Winter fashion. I have a shameful backlog of fashion magazines waiting on my coffee table to be read, but the catwalk supplements delivered with this month's new issues have jumped to the head of the queue. And so I have decided that in fantasy land I will be dressing exclusively in Burberry Prorsum this Autumn/Winter. Imagine how easy it would be to get dressed in the morning with these hanging in your wardrobe?

Images thanks to style.com

Time for a new T?

2009-06-26T01:45:00.000-07:00

Everyone's favourite t-shirt people Turtlehead have just launched three new Irish t-shirts, featuring everyone's favourite b-words (that's Biffo and Bono, just to be clear). Expect Enda and Eamon to turn up wearing this fine design on the last day of school, I mean Dáil:

As for me, I'm rather liking this one and with the weather we've been having, it must be time for a new t-shirt:

All in the detail

2009-06-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

In Paris last month I discovered the wonderful world of COS. At a mere fiver, I couldn't leave this padded rosette behind. I love the graffiti print fabric and the colours are perfect with the grey jackets I've made a habit of buying lately.

The little fabric bag they slipped it into at the till was just the icing on the cake.

SMG looks chic, shops

2009-06-12T04:44:00.000-07:00

I ♥ Sarah Michelle Gellar and I ♥ this outfit.

The blue skirt really stands out against the neutral navy and black and the cut of the jacket is gorgeous. I also covet the boots.

Who'd have thought maternity wear could be so fashion-forward?

Ooh... shiny!

2009-06-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

I do like a nice shiny new piece of technology every once in a while. My four and a half year old Motorola is still in good working order, but the battery is not, so I decided it was time for an upgrade. And after many months of searching (why are so many expensive phones so cheap and plastic-looking?), I finally settled on this lovely Sony Ericsson W715. With WiFi, Walkman, camera and, yes, phone all in one lovely brushed silver package, I am now fully up to date in the stylish technology stakes. Now to try to figure out blogging on the go...

Pizza + Benefit = Happy Fashion Bloggers

2009-05-19T02:30:00.000-07:00

It doesn't get much better than delicious Milano pizza and Benefit goodie bags at noon on a showery Saturday in May. And so it was that the 10th Fashion Bloggers' Brunch passed happily in a haze of pizza, indigo mascara and teeny lemon tarts.

Important lessons were learned (when applying Benefit Lip Plump, you want to aim for two dots, blended well, rather than applying a full coat as you would with lipgloss), accessories were admired, politics (or at least political posters) were discussed and a birthday was celebrated.

Thanks as usual to the lovely Annmarie for organising it all - looking forward to next month!

Starlight

2009-05-07T06:39:00.001-07:00

Scarf: Zara, €12.50

Pierre Hermé, je t'adore.

2009-05-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

These are some macarons by Pierre Hermé, kindly provided on arrival at Hotel des Académies et des Arts in Paris last weekend. You may have tried other macarons in the past and thought "Yeah, nice, but isn't it more about how cute they look than what they actually taste like?", but should you ever get the chance to try those made by M. Hermé, don't give it a second thought.

To. Die. For.

Pilgrim Charms 09

2009-04-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

So I know I've done the Pilgim Charms before, but I've just had a look at the latest collection and how cute are these two? I particularly like the tortoise's elephantine feet. They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine...

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

This has been sitting in my kitchen press for a few weeks now. I wonder if I'll be able to smash him to bits and eat him? Maybe if I close my eyes...

I love a bit of wit with my daily dose of fashion

2009-04-03T03:12:00.000-07:00

Love Carine Roitfeld's No Smoking shoot for the April issue of French Vogue, and love Jezebel's take on it even more...

Carte Blanche by Sportmax on Yoox

2009-04-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

Sportmax has involved French artist and art director Christophe Brunnquell in the first chapter of their Carte Blanche project - a limited edition collection of 600 pieces sold exclusively on yoox.com. As the name of the collection suggests, Carte Blanche gives total freedom and creative power to the artist, and Brunnquell's abstract linear drawings are perfect partners for these pieces.

The monochrome collection includes 3 key items: a minidress, a top and a T-shirt, each made from silk and jersey. Priced from €99 to €139 - not bad value for something you're not likely to spot on anyone else. I particularly love the t-shirt, with it's off-centre v-neck.

Yoox.com also have free standard shipping until April 7th.

Summer is ready when you are

2009-03-30T02:06:00.000-07:00

I still can't really get my head around the concept of daylight savings, but nevermind - it's now officially summertime! To celebrate, here are The Breeders doing "Saints". Just what you need on a Monday morning. They're also playing in Vicar Street on May 18th. I saw them there last year and despite the Monday night scheduling, it was a fantastic gig. Well worth €28.

FBB gets on the bus

2009-03-23T03:30:00.000-07:00

A select band of hardcore fashion bloggers braved pre 9am alarm calls on Saturday morning and ventured beyond the pale to a very foggy Kildare Village for a spot of browsing and some lovely Italian food, courtesy of L'Officina by Dunne and Crescenzi. With brands such as Reiss, All Saints, Nike and Anya Hindmarch available, it might be surprising that this is what I came home with...

It was so cute that I couldn't resist, particularly at 50% off the already reduced price in the Le Creuset store! However, I will definitely be heading back to Kildare for a longer look in the Anya Hindmarch boutique next time...

Mulberry Bayswater Clutch

2009-03-05T01:31:00.000-08:00

Be still my beating heart... the Mulberry Bayswater Clutch has arrived. The original Bayswater has been on my wishlist for a long time, but its baby sister is certainly a tempting alternative for Spring. Available in 4 finishes, my pick is the lightweight antiqued in the "Lipstick" shade - honestly, it's like they invented it with me in mind.

Soft and squishy, the detachable shoulder strap is a genius inclusion - clutches aren't always the most practical option, particularly when engaging in important activies such as shopping, so being able to throw it over your shoulder when you need your hands free is a bonus.

£495 from Mulberry

Dreaming of summer - Next silver sandals

2009-03-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realise it is freezing cold again outside, but in my head I'm planning for the fantastic summer which must be in store for us. And aren't these sandals just the thing for sunny summer days? Flat and practical, but pretty too, I particularly like the silver ones. I haven't set foot inside Next for years, but if this is indicative of what they're coming up with these days, it might be time to pay them a visit. Priced at £25 on the UK website, these will probably be marked up to around €40 here. Still not bad for 100% leather uppers and insoles.

Get a perfect complexion in an instant

2009-02-26T03:40:00.000-08:00

I've been using Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Champagne Shimmer since receiving it in the lovely goodie bag at the Fashion Bloggers' Brunch. This product is a bit of a beauty all-rounder - apply it alone as a base if your skin doesn't need much coverage, apply under foundation as a primer, or mix a bit with your foundation to give it a bit of radiance.

On lazy days I am loving this as a quick alternative to foundation - it blends really easily on my skin and evens out skintone, minimizes pores and adds some glow. I add some concealer under my eyes and top with powder and I'm done! Don't fear the shimmer in the name - the light-reflecting properties do give your skin a luminous look, but don't look obvious or sparkly.

This is also available in Rose Shimmer (for brightening your complexion) or Bronze Shimmer (for a lightly sunkissed look). Priced at around €27, get it now from Clarins counters.

Marc wears a hot pink tie on Ugly Betty

2009-02-24T02:17:00.000-08:00

I don't usually do any blogging for the menfolk, but this dashing ensemble of Marc's very much impressed me while catching up on Ugly Betty last night. Pretty restrained in comparison to some other outfits he has sported, it was the hot pink tie against the sober black suit/black hoodie/white shirt that caught my attention. I love the splash of colour it provided.

On a slightly related note, I vote for a Marc/Amanda spin-off show. How fabulous would that be?

Spring shopping at Massimo Dutti

2009-02-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

I went shopping in Massimo Dutti recently and the red, white and blue of these three items all caught my eye. The shirt is washed cotton, with a nice relaxed fit and is ultra soft and light on. This will be perfect with jeans when the weather gets warmer.

I love the pleated tuxedo detail at the front.

The scarf is also light and will add colour to neutral summer outfits. I really like the pattern and colour combination.

And the tank is for wearing under the shirt. I like the longer length of this one.

Shirt: €49
Scarf: €35
Tank:€12

Not quite Chanel, but Coco

2009-02-17T05:43:00.000-08:00

Plagued by Chanel dreams on a high-street budget? Join the queue. And while you're at it, take a look at this lovely quilted bag from
Urban Outfitters. With a nod and a wink to the Chanel classic, the cheekily-named "Coco" is made from 100% leather, with a clasp closure and chain handle. Perfect for dressing up a casual daytime outfit or accessorising a big night out, it is available in silver or black.

Priced at €75, available now from Urban Outfitters.

Marion Cotillard at the BAFTAs

2009-02-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

At the BAFTA awards last weekend, Marion Cotillard embodied my beauty ideal to a T. Loose tousled hair, shimmery neutral eyeshadow, mascara and a slash of killer red lipstick - it looked like she got ready in about 10 minutes and she was perfect. Red carpets are usually awash with über-styled stars who look as though they spent all day and a good part of the preceding week getting ready, with the help of a team of hair and makeup people. And fair play to them; I'm sure it's nice work if you can get it. But as someone who is never 100% done myself, I do appreciate a bit of reality on the red carpet. Go Marion!

Fashion Bloggers' Brunch at the Clarence

2009-02-09T03:09:00.000-08:00

I don't know when I last rose as early on a Saturday morning, but it helped that the sun had finally come out to herald February's Fashion Bloggers' Brunch. Hosted by the Tea Room at the Clarence, we were utterly spoiled with a delicious spread of pastries, juice, pancakes, boiled eggs, fruit and heaping platters of cheese and cold meat, not to mention the pink bubbly. Despite the early start, it wasn't long before we got started on such pressing topics as the negative effects of snow, slush and ice on fashionable footwear. I have been delightedly sampling the contents of the Clarins Spring 09 goodie bag ever since, so more on that at a later stage... see you at the next one!

When I Grow Up by Juliana Hatfield

2009-02-04T02:19:00.000-08:00

When I saw this on the shelf in the bookshop I stopped and actually laughed in surprise. "A memoir" by Juliana Hatfield sounded surprisingly grand. Juliana was one of my reference points on the American indie rock landscape as a teenager. I have a clear snapshot in my head of buying her Become What You Are album (on cassette tape - I still have it) on a sunny summer day in 1993. I played it to death that summer and afterwards. Emerging from the same US east coast scene that gave the world the Pixies, Throwing Muses, the Breeders, Belly and the Lemonheads, Juliana's catchy hooks and sunny melodies pulled me in, and I could immediately identify with the themes of self-doubt and uncertainty in her songs.

I bought the book, partly out of curiosity and partly for nostalgic reasons. And I read it in a week (I know the standard with an un-put-down-able book is in an afternoon, but my reading tends to happen in 15 minute bouts before I fall asleep at night, so that's my equivalent). Her writing style flows easily and I found myself reading "just one more chapter" when I should have been turning the light off and going to sleep. The book hops between a somewhat unhappy 2004 tour with Some Girls and random events from her past, spanning her career from the early days with Blake Babies to her more recent solo efforts. Moving from the highs of signing a deal with a major record label to the extreme lows of depression and the resulting tour cancellation, she is realistic about the hard side of not always being successful in the music business without ever being self-pitying. And despite making no effort to hide the fact that she is a pain to be around much of the time on the tour, I found her honesty and lack of pretension refreshing.

In her personal references, I discovered we have also have many likes in common - she mentions Petit Bateau (she wears a tank top from them on stage and regrets showing so much flesh), X-Girl (she wears a mini-skirt with the aforementioned top, which adds to her discomfort - oh and yes, that's where the name comes from) and the original L'Occitane Vanilla fragrance (which she sprays around a particularly dank motel room, in an attempt to mask the less than fresh odour) - all loves of mine.

If you are a fan of Juliana Hatfield, When I Grow Up is definitely worth a read. And even if you aren't, try browsing inside the book at Amazon - you might find it interesting anyway.

My new(est) bag

2009-01-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

I'm usually quite practical about choosing bags that don't need to be held in my hand - shoulder straps or cross-body straps make life so much easier. But I fell in love with this embroidered bag by APC, so when I saw it in the sale I had to have it. The handles are mother of pearl and the bag is lined in cotton with a zipped internal pocket. There's also a magnetized closure at the top. With plenty of room for magazines, sunglasses or umbrellas, caution will probably result in me waiting for a sunny day to take this new acquisition out...

Could it be...? Veronica Mars on the big screen?

2009-01-23T01:55:00.000-08:00

Probably my favourite tv show that no-one else has ever seen, I am trying not to get too excited (and failing miserably) over the news that Veronica Mars may be headed for the big screen.

Buzzsugar is reporting that Rob Thomas recently confirmed his availability to write a script, along with executive producer Joel Silver's interest in getting the project going. With Kristin Bell apparently willing to reprise her role as the street-smart private detective (think Buffy without the vampires and demons if you haven't seen it), and Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls) and Enrico Colantoni (Keith Mars) also being consulted, things are looking good, though of course this is no guarantee I'll be sitting in a cinema watching Veronica Mars do her thing any time soon.

The optimist in me is still excited...

Fashion Bloggers' Brunch at the Dylan

2009-01-19T02:30:00.000-08:00

The lovely Annmarie O'Connor organised yet another fantastic Fashion Bloggers' Brunch this weekend. A whole crowd of us delighted over the beautifully-packaged aprons from Clodagh McKenna's Love Aprons range and tucked into delicious Eggs Florentine, pancakes and french toast (as well as some of the best chips I've had in a while), thanks to the Dylan Hotel.

Check out the action over at I Blog Fashion!

The psychology of sale shopping

2009-01-16T03:09:00.000-08:00

I'll tell you a little secret - I'm not very good at sale shopping. Some people have a magical talent for rifling through racks of clothing and picking out amazing pieces for 70% off. I have a tendency to see a wall of mismatched and uncoordinated rags that look like they were last on a hanger in the shop three years ago and have only been brought out of dusty storage at sale time every year since.

I suppose it's not surprising, therefore, that sale shopping online is so much easier. Everything is laid out nicely on a clean white background, grouped into categories to make searching easy, and on the APC site they even make your shopping basket look like this:

It sort of reminds me of when I used to dress paper dolls in cut-out clothes and I like the way you see a whole outfit come together on the page. A lot more fun than those picked-over heaps of clothing in the shops, it has to be said.

An Early Valentine from Pretty Ballerinas

2009-01-14T02:12:00.000-08:00

It's still a month away, so I apologise for invoking the V word already. I've never been that into the whole concept, but that might change if I was presented with these, rather than a cheesy Hallmark card and a bunch of over-priced roses:

Made of soft black suede and decorated with a handmade grosgrain heart in red, these beauties can be pre-ordered now from
Pretty Ballerinas for €169. Not cheap, no, but longer lasting than two dozen red roses...

Golden Globes Red Carpet

2009-01-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was a bit frustrating that so many attendees at last weekend's Golden Globes award ceremony chose to wore very neutral or nude-coloured dresses. I do like to see something a bit out of the ordinary on the red carpet (and I'm not even asking for egg-laying swan dresses all of the time, just something slightly unusual). Having said that, however, my two favourite looks at this year's awards were Amanda Seyfried (of Mamma Mia fame, although she'll always be Lily Kane to me) and America Ferrera (aka Ugly Betty).

Amanda Seyfried looked luminous in pale dove grey and I love that she didn't feel the need for a fake tan (actually, the overdone tan/bronzed look was mainly noticeable for its absence, which I was pleased to see).

I also loved her very simple makeup - softly smudged eyeliner and the focus on a strong pink lip. Very pretty and not overdone, perfect for a younger actress.

Again a pale grey/taupe dress - but the shorter length and defined shape really worked on America Ferrera.

I also loved her pretty makeup - strong brows, rosy lip and cleanly-lined eye. It's a classic look for a reason.

Now, roll on the Oscars...

Fashion-tastic TV: Gossip Girl starts on TG4 tonight!

2009-01-08T05:11:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be at home by 6pm (I love TG4 and their mad scheduling times - this may be a tv show about teens, but it's not really a 6pm-type show) and haven't already picked up on this shiny wonder, then flick over to TG4 and prepare to be dazzled. Following a group of super-rich teenagers on New York's Upper East Side, Gossip Girl's characters are celebrities in their world, thanks to the unseen title character's blog, regularly updated with salacious details of their goings-on.

I tuned into this originally for the fashion and beauty side of things, but quickly discovered a very entertaining, witty and well-written series. Leighton Meester shines in her role as Blair Waldorf, the queen bee who holds court on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum every morning before school. Blake Lively is Serena, Blair's former best friend, whose return to the city (after disappearing suddenly to boarding school 6 months previously) sets off a flurry of activity on Gossip Girl's blog and among its readers.

Tune in if you get the chance (or look out for the DVDs) and feel free to drop a comment here if you like it, or even if you don't!

UPDATE: Catch up with the show on Monday at 10pm in case the 6pm timeslot is too early!

Giorgio Armani Pink Light Spring 2009

2009-01-01T08:00:00.001-08:00

We may not even be a whole day into 2009, but Armani's Spring collection is online and I can almost smell the hyacinths in the air. The Pink Light collection "illuminates the skin with soft touches of pink" and creates "a fresh, luminous glow for any complexion".

Start with the Light Master Primer to create a light-reflective veil, illuminating the features and evening the complexion.

Set foundation with Pink Light Micro-fil™ Loose Powder for a glowing finish.

The Pink Light Eye Palette creates a fresh Spring look for the eyes.

And top it all off with the beautiful rasberry pink limited edition Lip Wax #7.

The collection also includes new shades of ArmaniSilk lipstick and Blending Blush Duo and is available now at Brown Thomas.

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

My Christmas tree is from Muji this year - not having a lot of floor space free means getting a bit creative, cause I'd hate to be without a tree at all. But this little wooden one (complete with hanging decorations) is perfect for a small space.

Hope everyone has a very Happy Christmas and looking forward to bringing you plenty more pretty, shiny and sparkly things in 2009!

Radley Kanton sunglasses

2008-12-17T00:24:00.001-08:00

It has been a quiet few weeks on the blogging front, while I concentrated on lovely things for those other than myself. I've finished the Christmas shopping by now, however, and it's time to focus on all the pretty things I'd love again...

In Arnotts at the weekend, I discovered that Radley (yes, the makers of those handbags with the little dogs on them) also do a lovely line in sunglasses. I may have been wrapped up in hat and scarf at the time, but it didn't stop me from trying on this lovely pair - the Kanton. I love the ice cream colours - cream on the outside and pink on the inside, and the flower and leaf pattern cut into the arms. The squared off shape and curved frame are also very flattering on.

The Kanton sunglasses are priced at €120 in Arnotts, and £75 sterling on the Radley website.

30% discount at Gap

2008-11-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

Typical. I hadn't bought anything in Gap for ages, but decided I needed some new trousers for work at the weekend and went in and bought two pairs there, as well as a cardigan, some socks and a jumper for the husband. And then I get this voucher, after removing all the tags and wearing some of the stuff...

Oh well, maybe I'll just have to pop back in again and get some more of their knitwear (really nice fine merino wool cardigans and shell tops) and socks (very soft, very comfy, nice colours and stars!). Maybe I can pick up a Christmas present or two while I'm at it.

Print the voucher at the link above for 30% off at Gap in the UK and Ireland, also valid in Arnotts and House of Fraser concessions. Valid from November 19th to 30th.

Comme des Garcons for H & M

2008-11-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

If previous H&M collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney are anything to go by, the Comme des Garcons collection will disappear in a flurry of buyitnowandthensellitonebayatvastlyinflatedprices as soon as H&M opens its doors tomorrow morning. But on the offchance that Dublin's shopping public is more restrained than that, I'll be popping into the new South King Street branch of the chain tomorrow evening to check out the cute polka-dot cardigans and slightly off-kilter tailored items that this collection offers.

I'm not sure I'd be able to pull off the pantaloon-esque trousers, but love the idea of the layered polka dot items and fitted tuxedo jacket, as well as the crisp shirts which will be perfect for the work wardrobe. Prices start at €22.90 for a simple long-sleeved top and work their way up to €299 for the fabulously gothic dress.

See the full collection here.

A stylish cuppa with Orla Kiely and Bewleys

2008-11-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

A lot cheaper than her handbags, but just as desirable, the new tea caddy designed by Orla Kiely for Bewleys is top of my must-have-it-now list. Priced at a very reasonable €6.99 and packed full of Bewleys Gold Blend tea bags, this will brighten up teatime in any kitchen. Pair it with an Orla Kiely mug (€14.99 from Kilkenny stores) for the ultimate Christmas present.

Peter O'Brien for A¦Wear Winter 08

2008-10-27T08:40:00.001-07:00

Peter O'Brien's third collection for A¦Wear launched last week and I'm happy to report that it's a good bit younger than last year's collection was. His collections generally tend to be ageless in appeal, but the one last year seemed to be quite a bit more mature and less versatile than this collection is.

If you like the tailored look, then there'll plenty to please you here, from high-waisted sailor pants to a beautiful vintage-y ruffled blouse or a fabulous frock coat with what seems like a hundred buttons.

I also like the new colour palette of nude, heather and navy; shades which are a bit more flattering than the blacks and browns which have dominated previous collections.

Most of all, though, I am in love with the hair and makeup styling for the ad campaign. I may not dare to recreate the multiple giant bows, but I think they compliment the collection beautifully for styling purposes. The pink lips, glowy pink cheeks and strong brows are definitely a look I can recreate for the office however...

Orla Kiely Fashion Targets Breast Cancer collection

2008-10-07T00:59:00.001-07:00

I love, love, love Orla Kiely's signature graphic prints and her new collection for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is no exception. Based around the bull's eye target symbol used by the FTBC organisation, this capsule collection includes a shoulder bag (€160), book bag (€165), wallet (€90) and makeup bag (€85).

All proceeds will go to Action Breast Cancer (who provide services for younger women diagnosed with breast cancer) and Europa Donna Ireland (who campaign for better cancer services for patients), so you get the double bonus of donating to a very worthwhile cause while picking up a lovely new bag for yourself!

Oh and if you needed any more excuses, the waterproof coated canvas on these makes them ideal for rainy weather. Just sayin'...

Silk Scarf from APC

2008-10-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Accessories are invaluable when it comes to refreshing your look. Who needs a new wardrobe every season when you can make classic outfits look brand new with a well-chosen scarf or belt? And it just so happens that accessories is where my own wardrobe is sadly lacking, so I think I may just need to remedy that, starting with this leopard-print silk scarf from APC.

A little bit fun and a little bit retro-glam, this is just what I need to inject a bit of fashion into the many basic staples in my wardrobe. A plain t-shirt and jeans (or, in this weather, a nice cashmere jumper and jeans) will instantly look more interesting with the addition of this scarf. Now I just need to decide on the colour...

Sandwashed silk
100% silk
200x35cm
€65

Hot on the heels of the big brands

2008-09-29T02:17:00.000-07:00

If you and your bank balance have been idly wondering what the It Bag for Autumn/Winter 08 might be, then wonder no more, for the It Bag, it IS. NO. MORE. But fashion being fashion, this doesn't mean we can put our credit cards on ice. Oh no. The It Bag, she has been replaced by The Statement Shoe.

What to do if your cashflow is more M&S than Manolo (soon to be opening a concession at Brown Thomas!)? Well, don't automatically jump to thinking "granny shoes", but Clarks is the place to be this season...

Just take a look at some of these beauties up above? When Balenciaga brought out their very architectural wedges last year, little did we think this was a trend that would make it to the high street. But there they are, and in Clarks of all places. And if those wedges are a little bit too much statement for your liking, check out the red patent peep-toes or the black patent courts - the pretty almond-shaped toe and solid heel make these a practical as well as pretty choice.

Most styles are priced at €100 or below, so if you want to add to your shoe wardrobe without making your bank manager cry, Clarks might be the choice for you (but not if I get to those heeled patent Oxfords first...).

New from Armani - Lip Wax

2008-09-02T01:01:00.001-07:00

The product-naming department were obviously on holidays the day they decided to launch Armani's latest offering, but despite its shortcomings in that area, Lip Wax looks like a very interesting new must-have for my collection.

Available in 6 shades, from a nude beige to a deep wine (perfect for this season's deep berry lip), Lip Wax is a lip stain in a compact. Apply with your fingertips for a sheer wash of colour, or layer on with a lip brush for a more precise application and deeper colour. And if you like to coordinate your lip and cheek, try blending this lightly onto the apples of your cheeks for a sheer flush of colour.

Priced at $26 on the US website, I am guessing this will be around the €24 mark here. Definitely one to look out for at the Armani counter...

Autumn-Winter 08 Inspiration - Calvin Klein

2008-08-18T05:27:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong; I love a splash of colour. But there was something so clean, so austere, so grown-up about Francisco Costa's Autumn/Winter 08 collection for Calvin Klein that it had me craving a wardrobe of neat, beautifully made pieces in dark neutrals. So I started off with a silk skirt in a very dark blue from Massimo Dutti yesterday. Falling to just above the knee, with loose pleats, a tie belt and pockets bringing it right up to date, it's the perfect piece to wear for work during the day and then dress up with pretty accessories for evening. Now all I need is a grey wool coat to wear over it...

images with thanks to Style.com

Handbag Heaven: Sissi Rossi

2008-07-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

I've been admiring Sissi Rossi bags for a long time, so when I stepped into Harvey Nichols in Dundrum last weekend and spotted a few from their Autumn/Winter 07-08 collection on sale at 75% off, I stopped, caught like a rabbit in the headlights. Made of the softest, squishiest buffalo leather, these bags are luxurious, but designed to be worn and loved - the leather will just get better age.

After some wavering, I eventually settled on this gorgeous stone grey one. With sturdy handles and a long strap, it is versatile and can be carried or worn on your shoulder or across the body. It is also fairly voluminous, so I'll be able to carry my life around with me on a daily basis, as usual.

Check out more Sissi Rossi bags online or in Harvey Nichols.

Harvey Nichols Summer Sale

2008-07-12T12:41:00.001-07:00

I picked up a lovely Sissi Rossi bag in the sale at Harvey Nichols in Dundrum today (more on which later). Most stores are coming to the end of their sales, but there were quite few bargains to be had in Harvey Nichols - including this fab Sasha handbag from Botkier in silver snake at only €250. Run, don't walk...

Citrine by the Stones jewellery

2008-06-20T05:38:00.001-07:00

Jewellery brand Citrine by the Stones has been receiving a lot of attention lately, their pieces having adorned the Sex and the City girls in the movie. Their Peace and Wish bangles have been on my mind lately, despite the fact I don't usually wear any yellow gold. And now this pretty elephant charm necklace has me hooked. See it for yourself at Seagreen in Monkstown (priced at €145).

Release your inner supermodel with Topshop

2008-06-13T02:12:00.000-07:00

If you've ever harboured a fantasy to star in your own fashion shoot, Topshop could help you to realise your dream. Starting this week in London's Oxford Circus store (and coming to the Stephen's Green store in Dublin from June 17th to 22nd), a photographic studio set up in store will allow you to style, pose and photograph yourself, without a photographer being present.

The concept is inspired by iconic fashion photographer Helmut Newton's "Photo Machine". He came up with the idea in the 1970s, using a specially designed photo studio where the photographer did not need to be present. The camera was set up on a timer system and the model used a mirror behind the camera to check her pose. In effect, the control of the shoot was handed over from photographer to model.

Now Topshop is paying homage to Newton by recreating his system in their flagship stores, where customers will be able to style themselves as they wish in Topshop fashions, before posing for the Photo Machine and taking their own photo. Check out the customer photos in the Topshop Gallery and head along to the Oxford Circus, Manchester Arndale or Dublin Stephen's Green stores if you'd like to take part yourself.

Image thanks to Topshop

Picnic season with M & S

2008-06-11T02:41:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a picnic in the sun, is there? When the weather is good I love to pack up some food in the evening after work and enjoy it in the park beside the sea near where I live. Which is why I had to have this gorgeous picnic box set from Marks & Spencer as soon as I spotted it in a magazine.

Made from glossy red melamine, and consisting of 2 big compartments and one sectioned compartment for dressings etc, the set stacks together and has a handy metal handle for easy transport. I'll be filling mine with couscous, roasted vegetables, tomatoes and goat's cheese - feel free to comment with your own picnic favourites!

Priced at €14.50, this picnic box is available now from Marks & Spencer and I predict it'll be a popular item, so hurry up and get yours!

(Dimensions: H11 x W14 x D14cm. Picture with thanks to http://www.marksandspencer.com)

Bourjois Rouge Hi-tech

2008-06-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

I must admit that I have never been a lipstain fan. This is mainly as a result of an unfortunate run-in (with a product I won't name and shame) years back, when I ended up with lips stained purple only on the outer edges, giving me the look of a vampire who'd just finished dinner. Well, that or a wino. Anyway, when I spotted these little beauties on the Bourjois display, I thought "Never say never" and decided to give one a shot.

Rouge Hi-tech is a water-based liptint that comes in a cute plastic container, with a sponge-tipped wand applicator. I was a bit worried that applying it right would be like learning how colour between the lines all over again, but it turned out to be pretty easy. The tint stays in place where you apply it, but does blend well before it dries, so you can correct any mistakes. It's also easy to apply a sheer coat, or build up to get more colour. You do need to make sure your lips are in fairly good condition, as flakes will catch more colour and give an uneven result, so I always apply a coat of balm and then blot off before applying.

The lasting power of Rouge Hi-tech is a huge plus point for me. When I apply before breakfast, it lasts through breakfast and lunch with only some fading, and the colour fades so gradually and evenly that you don't need to worry about running to a mirror to top it up. I also regularly apply lipbalm over the tint and it does not affect it at all.

The shade I bought is the one used above - Rose Pixel. It's a pretty rosy pink with a touch of red - perfect for summer. There are a number of other shades available and I have my eye on a lovely shade of fuchsia...

Rouge Hi-tech is priced at around €10.70, with most retailers currently offering an introductory price of around €8.50.

Travel in style (and light) with Muji

2008-05-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

Gone are the days when air travel was an enjoyable experience. With the advent of low-cost airlines and extra charges for checking in at the airport or checking in luggage, I am coming around to the idea that where possible I will only travel with carry-on luggage. I recently bought a lovely Samsonite wheeled case which meets the size requirements for cabin baggage and is also light enough that it doesn't take up half of the weight allowance while empty. I have used tote bags as carry-ons in the past, but if I do want to use the full 10kg weight allowance some airlines grant, a wheeled case is the only way to travel.

Once you have the right bag, the key to packing light is organisation, which is where the wonderful Muji comes in. A Japanese chain of lifestyle stores, Muji stocks a treasure trove of stationery, kitchen, household and travel goods.

Try the following to organise your clothing: nylon shoe cases for packing extra shoes, mesh garment bags are perfect for separating clothing and soft mesh laundry cases mean an end to packing your laundry in plastic shopping bags for the return journey.

Toiletries is where it can get complicated these days, with the ban on liquids or gels exceeding 100ml. Luckily Muji have a wide array of fliptop bottles, spray bottles, tubes and jars in a variety of sizes under 100ml - you merely need to fill them with your shampoo, shower gel and moisturiser, pack them in a ziplock bag or clear pouch and you're ready to go!

Happy travelling this summer!

2008-05-08T00:58:00.000-07:00

So, Lyndar tagged me a while back and I promptly forgot all about it, due to my lack of update-iness on the blog... oops!

Anyhow, I'm cheating slightly and going to describe six pretty, shiny and maybe even sparkly things that I'm loving right now, seeing as my little corner of the web-world is devoted more to things than to me.

* The sun, she is shining and my APC sunglasses have finally come out to play!

* Pretty, shiny and sparkly, my lips are adorned with MAC Euristocrats lipsticks in Milan Mode, London Life and Rue d'Bois these days

* It took me an age to get around to dropping them off to have rubber soles put on, but today I'll be picking up my cherry patent Pretty Ballerinas from the cobbler and I'll finally be able to wear them out this weekend!

* I recently added to my Pilgrim Charms collection with a heart-shaped locket, an antique key and a cute little duck - now my eye is on the multi-coloured hot-air balloon...

* Has the emergence of the sun prompted you to think about trips to the beach? If it has, you might want to hot-foot it to Brown Thomas or BT2, where they are selling this bright and cheery beach bag, designed exclusively for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer by none other than Diane Furstenburg. Priced at €45, all proceeds go to the Irish Cancer Society's Action Breast Cancer, so your money will be going to a good cause - surely a great excuse for another new bag, no?

* And finally, I'm not sure where it fits into the pretty, shiny or sparkly categories, but Isabel Allende has a new book out, The Sum of Our Days and it is a very enjoyable read. Following on from her memoir Paula, she writes about family life after the tragic death of her daughter. This is a moving and entertaining read and I'd recommend it whether or not you already know the author and her work.

Pretty Ballerinas Cherry Patent Rosario

2008-04-01T02:33:00.000-07:00

It was a difficult decision to make, but I finally settled on the cherry patent Rosario from Pretty Ballerinas. The colour is so pretty and will be perfect for Summer. I ordered these at the weekend, so I'm dying for the pretty pink shoebox to be delivered!

Pretty Ballerinas can be ordered online and are also available from Arnotts and Seagreen in Ireland.

Camper Spring-Summer 08

2008-03-02T07:55:00.001-08:00

I wandered into Camper yesterday and fell in love with half of their Spring Summer collection on the spot. But these shiny red ballet flats have stuck in my mind and I suspect I'll be going back to try them on soon. Pretty and practical shoes are my downfall, and with their glossy finish, rounded toe and practical rubber sole, these hit the mark on all counts.

Check out the Camper website to see more of their fun Spring-Summer collection.

Chanel ... or Pilgrim?

2008-02-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

These Chanel Camellia rings surely tick all the boxes for inclusion in Pretty Shiny Sparkly - the glossy finish (complete with famous interlocking 'C's) on the Chanel signature Camellia flower certainly grabbed my attention when I saw them in Harper's Bazaar today.

However, if (like me) a Chanel purchase is not something you'd make on the spur of the moment, how about these Pilgrim rings instead? Almost as pretty and a fraction of the price, Pilgrim jewellery is available in Ireland from their shop in the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and from branches of Avoca and Kilkenny.

Pretty Ballerinas Summer 2008

2008-02-22T01:32:00.000-08:00

It may still look like winter outside, but March is only around the corner and thoughts of new Spring/Summer fashion are on my mind. Perfect timing, then, for the launch of the Pretty Ballerinas Summer 2008 collection! The collection includes a rainbow of bright, summery colours and various finishes, from shiny patent to edgy snake-print, with prices ranging from 99 Euros for this stripy fabric finish pair to 169 Euros for this white patent pair with silver buckle.

I have my eye on the super-summery yellow patent pair above, but am hard-pressed to choose between those and the turquoise and green colours in the same style. Maybe I'll just order all three and take advantage of the refunded postage costs for customers who order three pairs or more before the end of the month...

Pretty Ballerinas shoes can be ordered through their website and are also available from Arnotts in Dublin.

More pretty sights from Powerscourt

2008-02-13T03:13:00.002-08:00

While I wait for inspiration to strike on what to write about next, I thought I'd go back to my Powerscourt photos. These pretty gates lead into the walled gardens, which date back to the 1700s:

I love the elaborate vine detail and gold-painted leaves:

The garden wasn't in full bloom when I visited, so I am looking forward to returning to see the roses later in the year.

Lust, Caution - a visual feast

2008-01-25T04:55:00.000-08:00

I saw Ang Lee's latest film, "Lust, Caution", recently. Despite the lacklustre reviews I've read, I very much enjoyed the film. But rather than reviewing the film here, I want to talk about the visual feast of fashion and beauty it provides. Set in Hong Kong and Shanghai in the 1940s, the women of the film wear a wonderful mix of traditional Chinese (gorgeous cheongsams in numerous different fabrics):

... and Western styles (classic trenches, chic hats and very covetable oversized clutches):

I wasn't able to locate more detailed pictures of the makeup, but during scenes where the women play gossipy games of mahjong, I was admiring their glossy, berry-tinted lips and perfectly lacquered nails in juicy shades of watermelon and blackberry, while pondering the best type of brush to achieve that subtly-lined eye with the tiny perfect flick.

How advantageous, then, that the languorous pace of the film allowed me to focus on the visual aspects of the film without missing what was going on in the plot!

Images courtesy of Yahoo! Movies

Japanese Garden at Powerscourt

2008-01-24T05:17:00.000-08:00

While visiting Powerscourt House & Gardens a few weeks ago, I was very taken with the Japanese Garden there. Here are some of the pictures I took of my favourite features.

The view from above of the garden with its pagoda:

Small streams winding and falling around the different levels:

Little wooden bridges crossing the streams:

Stone arches leading into secluded mossy alcoves:

Giorgio Armani Spring 2008

2008-01-21T07:27:00.000-08:00

Armani's Spring collection is out and although I haven't seen it up close and personal yet, the ad campaign featuring model Sasha Pivarova makes it look seriously pretty. Featuring a naturally luminous base, with iridiscent highlights and just a hint of colour, this look is all about perfecting the flawless base and then gently highlighting the features. The new Luminous Silk Powder will be a welcome companion for the already popular Luminous Silk Foundation, and the limited edition Radiant Pigments Fluid Sheer adds a hint of colour and illumination to the cheeks. I'm already a fan of the Fluid Sheer highlighters, so I look forward to trying this new formula out.

As alway, theAdvisor feature on the website describes in detail how to achieve the look.

In Ireland, this collection should be available from Brown Thomas towards the end of the month, if not earlier.

APC Sunglasses

2008-01-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

I'd been impatiently awaiting the APC sale to see if the gorgeous black patent wedges I'd been coveting for months would come down enough for me to justify buying them, but unfortunately they were sold out in my size by the time it came around. Still, I did get my paws on this pair of sunglasses:

The light frames will make a refreshing change from my usual black or brown frames and I'm picturing them in my mind's eye with jeans, a navy t-shirt and a sheer, glossy red lipstick.

If you like them too, they're one of the few items still in stock in the APC sale!