Cruising into Autumn

"Designer clothes worn by children are like snowsuits worn by adults. Few can carry it off successfully." Fran Lebowitz

 

Topshop gold & black midi dress-similar here

H&M black jumper-similar here

Asos black studded belt-similar here

 

Aw Friday, my long lost friend.  It is so good to see you again. A Friday and a good hair day. Wow. You don't get to see those often.  I am wearing my Xmas party dress from last year today.  It was just a standard Xmas party dress, long sleeved, midi dress black with gold stitching all over it but looks so well with this black jumper over it and I am wearing black ankle boots with it.  Boots that I usually can't wear to work as I think they are too casual but with this outfit they work so well! Proud of this one.  I mean how often do you get to wear your Xmas party dress again?? Never! But no one would know that it's a Xmas dress! Well apart from you lovely folk reading this.

Last night I took part in the Cruise Autumn/Winter catwalk showcase.  One of those mad dashes from work to Victoria Square shopping centre and into the Cruise shop.  The reason for my good hair day is because I am a minger and didn't wash my hair last night after the catwalk and thus I have lovely waves left in my hair by the magic hands of the Bellaire girls.  Bellaire is a gorgeous hair and beauty salon in the centre of Belfast.  They do everything and anything.  You name it, hair, nails, tan, teeth whitening, skin. The list is endless. Check them out: Bellaire Hair & Beauty Salon  I was lusting after owner Carly Bell's red trouser suit.  She looked amazing in it.  The hair was loose curls with a natural make up look with a pop of red berry colour on the lips.  Carly tried a new foundation on me by Guerlain. It made my skin look amazing! I'm still just using L'Oreal CC cream at the minute but I would definitely buy it for when I wanted a heavier base.

As it was Cruise, you know the clothes wouldn't disappoint.  Cruise stock all the top designer makes: Victoria Beckham, Pinko, DVF, Gucci, Jimmy Choo. It is one of those catwalks were I am scared to move once the clothes are on me incase I get them dirty or rip them.  Needless to say the looks were gorgeous.  Leopard prints, trouser suits and knit dresses all graced the catwalk. They are lucky my control has improved over this year as I would have happily walked out the door with one of the handbags.

It was a lovely night to catch up with my Aca girls.  Notice the small one in the photo! And I think I was standing on my tip toes!!!! One catwalk down, one more to go and a photo-shoot this weekend too! And I've a new housemate moving in and I have to paint the house and get the hole in the ceiling fixed and get the cracked window fixed and we start selling again this week and I have to see my boyfriend and see my family and do the food shopping.  Standard weekend for me. *sigh* I need another holiday.

Cruise Fashion website

Down and Dirty

"I realized this week that I just cannot do it all. So I will choose to do what I can fabulously." Clinton Kelly

 

Topshop White drape blouse

Zara black combination leather blazer-similar here

Skirt stolen from my mum-similar here

Sandwich knit snood-similar here

 

How is time passing so quickly lately? It's October next week! I have literally not bought clothes for the last 9months! Just October, November and December left and that's me. Finished this silly challenge.  It's not silly really.  I love this look that I am wearing today and I don't think I ever would have been able to piece this together last year.  Oh don't get me wrong, I would love new stuff. Black ankle boots. Nice ones, not too big a heel but still stylish enough to dress them up or down. Technically this skirt is new, well my mum didn't want it anymore so I took it off the charity pile that she leaves in my bedroom up room.  I can be seen as charity really. I have no idea where she bought it, I think a tiny boutique in Italy.  Who knows, it's mine now.  Insert evil laugh.

 

This last week, I have just been trying to sort my life out.  At the start of the summer I set a long list of goals that I wanted to do and I am slowly but surely achieving them.  Exciting things like resealing my bath, repainting the kitchen roof, clearing out my store room.  All very very exciting stuff. I have a new housemate moving in this weekend so I am trying to tie all lose ends up. Shout out to my mummy who I forced to help me last weekend with the cleaning of my bathroom. Wee legend and the bathroom looks brand new.



 

 

Before I got down and dirty over the weekend, I went to the Directory 14 Catwalk event on Thursday night but my lovely fellow blogger Gemma Louise Bond.  Events like this annoy me now. Oh don't great me wrong it was a great event.  It was a catwalk geared towards you.  No models on the catwalk that you think, aw I could never wear that, she looks great in it with her model figure & the fact she is 7ft and has legs as long as spaghetti.  This is coming out wrong.  The models were gorgeous but they ranged in age, size and represented the majority of society.  Young models, plus size models, older models, size 8 to size 18.  It was get to see variety on a catwalk.  It was more commercial.  But I hate events like this now.  May sound sad but it's the pressure of what to wear.  Wearing something new always take the edge of it but I of course, don't have anything new so I am trying to think up ways to my smelly old clothes.

It's like I feel people are looking at me going, there is that blogger Laurina, what the hell is she wearing?!? Though these events are also fun because I get to play around more with my clothes and experiment more which is something I have always been too scared to do.  Take a look at my photos, I rarely do anything with my hair but for this event I tried the slicked back look.  I loved it, my family made some funny comments about the fact that it just looked normal & like I hadn't washed my hair as usual.  Fair comments.  I am a bit minging. I then took a cotton stretch top that I use for layering and tucked it in half & into my bra so it wouldn't fall down.  Ta da!!! My very own crop top.  Totes on trend.  Then paired it with a black pencil skirt.  I had a good tummy day so was happy to show a bit of skin. Loved this look.  Ignore my grumpy bake, I was trying to be fierce. I failed.

Starting to come into catwalk season, I am doing a catwalk for Cruise tomorrow night so lots of backstage photos to come from that.  Then I will blogging from the Victoria Square A/W Fashion and Beauty Spectacular. Lots of backstage craic and photos of the gorgeous clothes that the fab Rebecca McKinney will be styling. Can't wait! I promise to have cleaned my nails by then.

Day out with Niall

"Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it feels like an hour.  Spend an hour with a pretty girl and it feels like a minute." Albert Einstein

 

Zara white shirt

Topshop black skater dress-similar here

 







I seem to be dressing recently as if I am going to a funeral.  Last week a Priest and this week a schoolgirl heading to a funeral.  I love the Back to school look at that is featuring in magazines at the moment.  I wanted a pinafore for my birthday but I knew that it wouldn't be a timeless piece that I could wear over and over again with anything throughout the rest of the year so it got taken off my wish list.



H&M green shirt

H&M Black Maxi skirt

  

As I mentioned last week, I got to spend my weekend up home.  On Saturday I spent the day in Derry/Londonderry at the Culture Tech on Behalf of Foyleside.  Check out my lovely outfit that Foyleside Shopping Centre gifted me.  Full outfit was bought for under £50 in their new amazing H&M store.  So myself and the 2 other bloggers, Gemma Louise from That Belfast Girl and Caroline from The Red Dutchess basically got to spend the day having a little gaunt about Derry. 

 

The day started off with no make up on and my sunglasses fully on sitting at Coleraine Train station at half 8 on a Saturday morning.  The people of Coleraine were probably like who does this eejit think she is. Thank God for the new café, "Ground" in the train station, it literally saved my life due to the fact I do not function at all that early. They didn't have that back in my day!!! Green Tea and a scone brought me to life while curled up on my seat as the wonderful Translink sped me towards Derry.  That train journey to Derry is one of the nicest journeys there is.  The view is amazing.

 

Once in Derry, our first stop was to the Light Bulb Photography workshop.  This workshop was great especially for us budding bloggers as it was all about using your mobile phone for taking amazing photos.  John Deery who took the class was full of useful tips and advice for taking great photos.  Check out my photo framed below! I actually took that! And with my phone!  One of the points was to always remember your background, so apologies for all the bras, unmade beds and random pillows over my floor in the background of my OOTD photos. My photos are going to be amazing from now on!!! All thanks to John!

 

 

The rest of the day was spent bouncing all over the city.  We went to Lunch at Custom House Square, popped into Foyleside where they had gamers on computers playing minecraft.  If you don't know what minecraft is, ask your little brothers or cousins.  My brother is 9years old and loves this game.  They also had this strange Cats of Instagram video and a music centre where you could make a song by using your body movements.

 

The best part of the day was when we acquired a mascot. My little sister Carla did amazing in her GSCE results and I hadn't gotten round to getting her a Well Done present yet.  Other than clothes I didn't know what to get her.  Then I walked past a party shop in Derry and seen the best present ever.  A giant lifesize Niall Horan from One Direction.

 

 

Niall was just the icing on the cake.  What a day! It was so nice to get out to Derry and experience the City of Culture.  The buzz in the city this year is amazing and everyone seems to be involved. Loved spending my day with my gals and chatting about the blogging world. Definitely will be back for future events and to hit Foyleside when I can buy clothes again!!
 

Friday is the new lazy day

"Procrastination is my sin. It brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it. In fact, I will--tomorrow” Gloria Plizter

This is my sexiness outfit of the day to date.  Last minute day offs are amazing! I am currently curled up on my mum's sofa watching day time tv & waiting for my nails to dry. Bliss!! I love the blog, I love everything it has given me but I hate when it runs into my weekend.  If you read this & you work all week as I do, you really live for your weekends. Not only just to party but to relax, get things done and to spend time with family and friends. So hence my day off. And boy, is it good so far. Who ever said Friday the 13th was unlucky??

The reason for my day off today, other than servicing my car & pigging out on my mum's sofa is that tomorrow I am travelling to Derry with my fellow bloggers, Gemma Louise from That Belfast Girl and Caroline from The Red Dutchess to experience the amazing festival that is Culture Tech! With the City of Culture celebrations, Derry/Londonderry is the place to be at the moment. The Culture Tech festival is a festival that is running from the 9th of Sept to the 15th of Sept.  It is an epic festival celebrating digital technology, media, music and art featuring 150 events, 100 + speakers, 100+ acts and of course 3 random bloggers let lose on Derry!!!

Tomorrow, the three of us will be wearing fab outfits gifted to us from the amazing shopping centre that is Foyleside Shopping Centre. Now each of us was told that we could go to Foyleside, pick a voucher and we could shop to we drop.  The vouchers were to a value of 50, 100 and 150 pounds.  Guess which one I picked?  Yup, the girl who hasn't shopping in nine months picked the 50 pound one.  Oh, don't get me wrong, receiving anything because of a blog is amazing!!! But imagine if I had got the 150 one? I probably would have went crazy. 

I had travelled to Foyleside with my mum and little sis.  Being from the North coast myself, travelling to Derry on a shopping trip was part of my teenage years.  Closest Primark to Coleraine!!!! Usually we used to drive but mum has now been converted to the train because it was easy.  Michael Palin himself called the Derry Translink Railway one of the best in the world due to its beauty. 

Once I had picked my voucher, I didn't know where to start.  Foyleside has great shops; Topshop, River Island, Debenhams, H&M, Marks and Spencer.  But we had to buy a full outfit with our voucher. Now that is hard.  Trying to restrict an addict to indulging her passion.  I hit up H&M first and I fell in love with this shirt.  I had wanted a green shirt for ages, a nice fitted one.  I tried this on and I had to have it.  I wanted to get something I didn't have and really wanted but it was 30 pounds.  That was over half my voucher gone and I still had to get something for my bottom.  Nightmare. I tried so many options in other shops. Black pencil skirt in River Island, white jeans in Topshop, a skater skirt in Dorothy Perkins.  But I had all those things.  There was no way I was getting something I already had when I haven't been allowed to get anything this year!!! 

So back to H&M I went and I picked up this black loose maxi skirt.  I had got a black maxi skirt for my birthday but it had a thigh high split up it while this one is more casual.  I didn't even think of trends, or colours or styling.  My brain went to mush at the fact I could pick clothes for free.  With the skirt costing 12.99, I was able to pick up some stacking rings and a pack of trainer socks which I needed badly.  Sorted my lovely!!

Check out my full outfit tomorrow at the Culture Tech festival!! I can't wait to have fun at all the events that they have lined up! Most are free and around the city so if you are about, come check them out! Culture Tech Festival!

Sleep is for losers

"No rest for the wicked" Book of Isaiah

 

Zara Navy Studded Blazer-similar here

Topshop striped Jumper-similar here

Zara Beige skinny trousers

 

Channelling my inner Paris chic today or well trying too.  Not my favourite look of this year, I think the jumper doesn't work as well as I expected. Anyway, a few posts ago I had mentioned that I haven't stopped recently. I think my quote of the day was about how females can not rely on men but must strive for themselves especially in their careers.  My boyfriend Connor was like hmmm *cough* *cough* is this a subtle but quite obvious quote directed at me??? I was like quiet, baby.  All will be relived. Do not question what actually goes on in my head & my trail of thought. Hush.

 

I don't actually speak to him like that. I sound almost like Yoda.  But to be honest it was sort of about him but not in such a negative way.  Connor at the moment is back and worth to London a lot with work as he has just signed a contract with Elite Model Management. (Remember I flew over to London to watch him on a catwalk in the Elite Model Look competition in July?? Sexy leather dress? Blue heels?) Well, with him away a lot now, I am trying to keep as busy as possible.  I miss him when he is away, he's my best friend so busy equals time flying & actually the good point is that I am able to focus completely on blogging.

He does these photos & I'm like what the heck??? I don't get this sexy man beast, I get my goofball.

So events galore! Last night I was at the Debenhams A/W launch.  The girls were showcasing their key looks for Autumn/Winter 2013.  A lot of monochrome, berry colours and animal print coming through. Was lovely to see all my blogger friends & have a cup of tea with them before I had to sprint off to yoga at 7pm. Namaste.

 

 

I am also one of the finalist in the Directory 14 competition as an individual with a standout sense of style in Northern Ireland.  I had to go to judging on Monday night, where we were asked questions like what is fashion & what is style.  The winners will be announced on the 19th of September at Riddel Hall, Stranmillis so keep an eye out to see how I get on. Fingers Crossed! 

 

 

I actually destroyed a pair of jeans because of this event.  I can't even acknowledge it or else I will probably freak out.  I want boyfriend jeans, I want them so badly.  There was a gorgeous pair in Zara yesterday when I was wandering around town. I haven't really tried to DIY any of my clothes due to the fact I am crap at physical creative things.  Sure I have cut backs out of my tops to make them backless but other than that nothing.  So I took one of my cropped pair of jeans and thought...hmmm I could cut some holes in these & they could be boyfriend style.  No.  They just looked like Edward Scissorhands and I were having a mad passionate love affair and he had tried to take my jeans off. Fail on that front.

 

So I have got loads of things on in the next few weeks. Culture tech this weekend, Directory 14 event, Cruise Fashion Show at the Merchant, Victoria Square Style September catwalk, RSVP/Oasis Ireland Style Blogger of the year. I know this isn't really a fashion post, more of a rant that my diary is stuck to my hand lately to make sure I remember everything but I think it's nice to let you know what's going on & to stay tuned for final few months of my challenge!! I think they are going to be the most difficult! 

God bless you my child

"When I was in sixth grade, I wanted to be a priest." Mike Krzyzewski, Monsters inc

 

Zara white shirt

Zara black jumper with elbow patches

River Island black skinny jeans

 

It was only after I took this photo and put on my coat to walk to work that I thought to myself that I kinda looked a bit like a priest. With my white collar and all black outfit, I am happy to take all your fashion confessions. About how you have sinned against the God that is fashion and we can say our Hail Anna Wintours' together & pray for your sins to be forgiven. Amen.

 

One thing I need to be forgiven for is Saturday night.  Oh no, don't worry I wasn't drunk or anything, just slightly tipsy.  But it was such a good girly night.  I haven't been out in ages, didn't even go out for my birthday in July.  Starting to show my age but I was really excited for Saturday night to blow off some steam after a stressful week.  So excitedly I tried to decide what to wear.  As I said, I don't get out much anymore so all the lovely slutty dresses and short short skirts don't get worn that much.  I wanted to wear everything I owned.  And I practically did as I changed 5 times before the taxi came.  Don't get me wrong, I loved every look I had on me and now I am completely organised for the next few events that I have coming up over the next few weeks but I just couldn't decide what I was feeling.

 

H&M white cropped jacket - similar here

La Senza black corset top-similar here

Topshop skater skirt

 

So this is the look I ended up going with.  Mainly because I was being shouted out the door due to the the taxi waiting on us downstairs.  Remember La Senza???? Aw I loved that place, I have a thing for underwear.  I have I think 19 bras, 20 as Connor bought me a Victoria Secret one for my birthday. So as tacky as wearing a black corset out sounds, it actually worked quite well. It wasn't very visible that it was a corset, more like a structured top.  They are in Topshop at the minute as cropped versions so this is the only way I can channel this style due to a stupid challenge I set myself at the start of this year.

 

Jayne wears: Asos sequin corset top-similar here

Jayne wears: Zara white pencil skirt-similar here

 

 Rebecca wears: River Island cut out dress

 

And here we are!! Typical toilet photo that most girls take on a night out. My gorgeous housemate Jayne and the beautiful & fabulous Rebecca McKinney, Personal stylist at Victoria Square. We didn't mean to colour corindate but we did. We are unintentionally that good.  We literally just danced all night, by the end of it my feet were on fire.  The music in Ollies, Belfast was amazing, such good tunes! Here are my beautiful feet after Saturday night. 

 

Question.....hat.....yes or no??? This was my hungover look for Sunday when I went for a massive munch in Maggie Mays in Botantic to settle my growling stomach. I loved it, I've so many hats but I'm too scared to wear them due to the thought of looking like an twat. Girls all said yes, boyfriend said I looked like inspector gadget. Well actually he said a 1950's detective & I said or inspector gadget. So I ignored what he said & went with it? What do you think? Yes or no?

Working it

"Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you're wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you anymore." Lady Gaga

 

Benetton green trench coat-similar here

Stills green striped top

Zara black leather trousers

 

It really makes me wonder what went on in my younger self's brain.  Most of my jackets reside in my wardrobe in my bedroom while my bigger coats hang in the hallway.  The 1s that hang at the back of the rack get completely forgotten about while the ones at the front get lifted as I fly out the door to work in the morning. I found this trench coat the other day.  I had no idea I had it.  I can't even remember when I bought it, probably about 5/6years ago.  How bad is that??? I wonder what went on in my younger brain because a) I didn't think this would have been my style at all when I was starting Uni and b) did I have a vision of the future trench coat that Burberry would produce & basically bought a copy of it?? Who knows, all I know is I have found a new coat of winter! That I had for 5 years in my house that I haven't worn.  Not something to be proud of.

 

 

Something to be proud of was the sneak peak of the West Coast Cooler Belfast Fashionweek trends shoot that I got to see today.  OMG! I love the red! Looks amazing through the camera, completely pops! I missed the Launch of the Fashionweek at the fab Fitzwilliam Hotel due to work so this was like my own private show.  The models rocked at smokey eye and nude lip by the ever fab Paddy McGourgan and the amazing hair was styled by the team at Andrew Mulvenna hair.  With head honcho Cathy Martin styling, I just know the images are going to turn out amazing.

 

My wee Jayney stuffing her face as usual. Best packet of crisps ever! £1 for a massive packet of bacon fries. It's our go to when we need a dirty snack.

 

The full show schedule and design competition details are all available online at www.belfastfashionweek.com along with details of this season’s trends plus links to all participant retailers and sponsors.  Catwalk tickets, which cost £20 (or £25 for a limited number of exclusive front row seats), are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609 or via the website. Ticket price includes a fabulous goodie bag and a refreshing West Coast Cooler.  



 

PS!!!!

 

I just wanted to share with you that I have been picked as the first finalist in the RSVP magazine and Oasis Ireland Style blogger 2013 competition! They are showcasing blogging talent from the 6th of September to the 6th of October. And I am the first one they have showcased!!! They loved my post on Monday on the Autumn/Winter 2013 trend of the all black outfit! Keep an eye out on my other social media for updates on this! The final is in October, loads of time to freak out about an outfit.

 

Torturing myself

"Shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist" Unknown

 

Zara Red Blouse-similar here

Zara Skinny grey trousers-similar here

Topshop Cord necklace

 

It must be really bad that into my 9th month of not shopping & I am still finding clothes in my wardrobe that I haven't worn this year. These trousers for example.  Completely forgot I had them and they are so perfect for work.  They are a nice smart trouser but still quite funky.  They are a jodphur style & would look so nice with a flat black knee high leather boot for Winter.  If only I had a pair.

 

Life is non stop at the minute.  I love when I am busy but this is taking the biscuit. I just seem to have something on every single night.  Last Thursday night I was invited to Mexx Party night in their flagship store in Belfast.  They had models showcasing the latest autumn hair and make-up looks from YSL and Hedonist Hair. The lovely Mexx team which included the fab Alison Paul chatted to us about the must-have pieces for the season with prosecco being served throughout the night.  I was a bore though as I had a sprite.

 

It is always torture going to these events for me.  Because they are showing you absolutely gorgeous pieces of new season stock.  I completely fell in love with a dress that one of the staff was wearing. It just looks like such a nice party dress especially coming up to Xmas, it would be lovely just to have for those dinner dates or nights out.

 

 

I am currently holding viewings for a room in my flat and one of the girls who came over last night asked what I did & I explained my job & then went on to explain about the blog.  She actually gasped & put her hands over her mouth when I said I wasn't shopping for a year.  Yes, would you like to move into a house with a crazy person who will prob go through your wardrobe and steal things the minute you move in.  The great thing about the blog is that it has introduced me to brands such as Mexx.  In a year my style has changed dramatically and it going to be fun to explore it when I am able to shop again.  I love the playful prints & the cute mini skirts that Mexx have in store at the minute.  With everything laid out in easy to find sections of the store; one side casual, one side metro style, I will definitely be standing on the doors of Mexx Belfast on the 1st of January.

Channelling my inner Morticia Addams

"I'm like Johnny Cash. I only wear black." Adele

 

H&M black vest

Topshop black double tube skirt

Warehouse neon yellow necklace

 

I am going to say the same thing that everyone is saying at the minute.  When did it get to September?? It's basically autumn, summer is over, it's 114 days to Christmas, tights will start to be worn, girls will stop shaving their legs and my electric blanket will be on full blast every night.

 

It also means I've only 4 more months left of this challenge.  It is killing me, the actual thought of having to go back into trousers again and my winter clothes.  The summer allowed me to explore a different half of my wardrobe.  I felt like I had bought new clothes when really I hadn't.  It was all an amazing magical experience that was basically a lie.  How am I meant to completely re-style a wardrobe that I wore for the 1st 6 months of the year and not get sick of wearing the same thing, over and over again? *sigh* Thank god for the changing trends with each season.



And thus with life, there is balance in fashion.  The first half of the year saw the all white outfit being a big hit.  This was one of my favourite looks I was able to create from my wardrobe.  I did find it hard to keep recreating/revamping the look as I didn't have that many white bottoms in my wardrobe.  But as I said thank god for balance.  Ying Yang. Black and white.  The all black outfit is in this autumn. Amazing news for me as I have enough black in my wardrobe for Morticia Addams not to have to do any washing for a month.

 

 

 

I love this look.  Every girl does.  It is effortless, chic and best of all it suits all shapes, all sizes, all skin tones, dressed up, dressed down, you just know that you will look great no matter what.  It is one of those looks that if you are having one of those days were you think nothing is working, just pull on black trousers and a black top & bam!!! Life is back on track.  Add a statement piece necklace, a pop of colour.  Accessorise it any way that you want, it will work no matter what.

 

And on the 7th day, God created black so every girl could pretend that the pavement was a catwalk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversations in toilets

"When I compliment you, I compliment myself, because I am who I associate with.”   Jarod Kintz

Stills Cardigan

Stills Tshirt

Zara Black leather trousers

 

You know when your world has gone mad when you are minding your own business, releasing your bladder in the toilets of the wine bar and from outside the locked door you hear, "Omg are you Laurina's mum?" Now granted the first thought that went through my head was oh no, who's that? and oh no, what have I done now.  But then for my mum to be like "yes that's me" (And I know mum was probably thinking the same as me,) and for the lovely Joanne to be like "I recognise you from her blog," was the funniest thing & most surrealist thing to me.  The fact I had to then casually walk out of the toilet & be like Hello!! It's lovely to meet you! Thank you for reading my blog, sorry let me just wash my hands before I shake yours!

Primark Baseball top-similar here

Asos Wrap linen skirt

Zara Necklace-similar here

 

I spent my lovely long bank holiday weekend up home visiting all my family that I hadn't seen in a while.  My little sister got amazing GSCE results so we were celebrating those as well.  I am still getting loads of wear out of all my birthday presents.  I love baseball tops at the minute, loved this look that I wore on Saturday night to the Mermaid Kitchen in Portrush.  My BFF zoe asked me what I craved the most for my birthday and I said that Connor had hunted high and low for a baseball top but couldn't get one.  Well that's gay cause they are in Primark for £3 was her reply. Probably the one place he didn't look but thanks to Zoe who then went and got me this one!

 

Topshop Cropped Denim jacket

Asos Coral Skater Dress

 

After my slight mishap with my work clothes recently, I have been really trying hard to dress up for work and wear as much of the sample pieces of the collections that we sell.  So now for weekends I just love dressing down.  I am fighting not to get back into my jeans until the last possible moment when my legs fall off from frostbite! But it's becoming harder and harder.  But then I think well technically you only have 4 months to go till you can shop again! And that man from the Waterboy pops up in my head, "You can do it!!"

 

 

But when I am off work, I am never truly off work.  On Monday, Mum, Carla and I made a mad dash to Derry/Londonderry! Derry seems to be the place to be this year! With it winning the City of Culture 2013, the amount of events happening in Derry is amazing!! For a week in September, they are holding a Culture Tech week with events through out the city! Check out the website, there is just too many to name! http://culturetech.co/

 

 

Myself and 2 other bloggers from Northern Ireland, Gemma-Louise from That Belfast Girl and Caroline from the Red Dutchess will be attending some of the events over the 9th of September to the 15th of September to tweet, take photos and blog our experience! In conjunction with Foyleside Shopping centre, we each will be modelling fab outfits from the centre at these events! More on that later!  

Bananas in Pajamas

“Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet and everyone you meet will be genuinely interested in you”   Rasheed Ogynlaru

Stills Stiped tshirt

Topshop Cord necklace

Stills silk maxi skirt

 

Once upon a time, there were 17 girls

beauty & fashion bloggers dolled up in their pearls

Off to Malone Lodge Hotel they went

Giggles, cocktails and many a tweet was sent.

 

But why were they there?

kindly supplied by the fab Carla and Anna, it was a night on the tear!

With a refurbishment to the Malone suite

& expansion of their restaurant 'The Knife & Fork", we were in for a treat.



 

 

 Welcomed with cocktails into a beautiful lobby

I met the FABB girls, were blogging is much more than a hobby.

Slightly nervous to meet everyone,

but no need to worry, the girls were great fun!

 

We were graced with a fab tour of the hotel,

gorgeous rooms, 240 seater conference room, this place really does excel!

With fabulous Audrey Hepburn posters,

I was scared to set anything down without a coaster!

 

 

 

 

Dinner was served & what a meal it was!

Laugther, speeches over wine, what a buzz!

Treated like queens of the world,

I walked on clouds, white and fluffy & swirled.

Speaking of white and fluffy,

Check out this giant bed, thank god I hadn't dressed scruffy!

After dinner, we were treated to a facial cleanse

Skin medi Spa are my new best friend!

 

The gossip continued into the wee hours,

the girls raved about everything including the showers!

Sadly I missed the breakfast,

Though I am thankful I was just asked.



 

 

How do you make your blog post stand out?

I did try to rhyme throughout!

But I think I did crap,

But what a night, thanks Malone Lodge, it went off without a flap!

 Ps If you didn't get it as my poetry is pretty shit, this post was about the Northern Irish bloggers night out to Malone Lodge which has recently had a fab refurb done.  It was a great time, the staff were amazing all wearing their pjs & so were some of the bloggers that were staying over.  I had to work early the next morning so I didn't get to stay over, raging!!!! It was great to meet everyone for the 1st time & put names to faces.  The Malone Lodges were super hosts. A special thank you to Anna from INC PR & Carla the manager of Malone Lodge.  Fab hosts!!!  Also to Skin Medi Spa for my fab cleanse & tone using Elemis products. 

 

For more info on Malone Lodge Hotel, for a great stay in Belfast, checkout their website

http://www.malonelodgehotelbelfast.com/

 

 

 

Skin Deep

“Be patient. Your skin took a while to deteriorate. Give it some time to reflect a calmer inner state. As one of my friends states on his Facebook profile: "The true Losers in Life, are not those who Try and Fail, but those who Fail to Try.”   Jess C. Scott

Sandwich white blouse

Zara beige skinny trousers

 

I ain' a beauty blogger.  I can't remember the last time I bought any sort of make up apart from cover for my skin.  All my eyeshadows, lip glosses, nail polish have either been gifts or been stolen from the other females in my family.  Only recently after holidays have I got into a routine of putting on a body moisturiser.  But when I posted a facebook status at the end of June seeking help about my skin, I had an overwhelming response.  It seemed that everyone had problems with their skin.  People who I hadn't spoken to in years were giving me advice on what they used or tips on what to do.

I had gotten really down about my skin to be honest.  I have the attitude hey! they are only spots, you could have a lot worse but after coming back from holidays and seeing that my skin hadn't cleared up in the sun, it had simply gotten worse I was determined to get my ass in gear and do something about it.  I knew it wasn't my hormones, or my pill or my diet.  I had great skin all of my life, even as a teenager but just something set it off when I hit 24. Maybe it was the fact I started to date a guy with the mental attitude of a teenager or maybe I had finally hit puberty (no sign of my boobs yet) or maybe it was karma, I have been so happy with the rest of my life & situation that something bad had to happen to make sure there was a balance.

This is not something any girl wants to do, show the world her face without any slap on.  Really up close photos of her face.  Where you can see every crevices, blackhead, pore, puffy eyes. But here you go. This was my skin on the 23rd of June 2013.

 

This was the day that I had had enough.  I put up my FB status asking for opinions on products, dermatologists in Northern Ireland, 70 people replied to that status though private messages, comments, texts messages.  You can see how inflamed my face is, how spotty I am on my forehead, across my cheeks, my chin.  How discoloured my face is.  Half red, half white. Go on, zoom in. Actually I don't know if the photo does it justice. I am standing facing the natural light so it was more red.

 

Then I had a text from an angel.  Mr Paddy McGourgan. I had been booked to model at his make up academy on the Sunday the 30th of June and I thought he had seen me walking around town and was texting to be like oh God, there is only so much photoshop can do! But no, he had text to say that he had seen my FB status & he had got this new brand into his make up shop on Royal Avenue & he wanted me to try it.

 

Now I was a bit apprehensive. I had tried every product over the last year.  Dermalogica, sent me in a rash and completely dried my skin out.  Eve lom didn't get rid of the big whiteheads I was getting.  I tried natural products, toners, oils, good old plain soaps and water, facials.  You name it, I had tried it. But I thought why not.  Give myself to the end of the summer and if that didn't work or improve my skin, I would then go to see a dermatologists.

 

Now enters Mario Badescu.  What a legend.

 

When I went to Paddy's to model at his Make up academy, he gave me samples of the Mario Badescu range.  The Acne Facial cleanser and the Gylcolic Foaming Cleanser, I was to alternate each night. And then he gave me the oil free moisturiser as I have oily skin to begin with.  This is the progress over 2 months,  I took a photo every 2 weeks to just show how my skin has calmed down.  I am so happy.  The change in my skin is unbelievable.  I am less red across my cheeks and forehead.  My spots have nearly all gone.  Granted I have a few stubborn blackheads but I am thinking of getting microdermabrasion to get rid of those.  Before that I would have been too scared incase it made my skin worse. My skin doesn't look as tired or as inflamed or dull.  I am back to hardly wearing any make up.  All I am using at the moment is the Loreal CC cream.

 

 

 

This is me today.  Same light, same time as the first photo was taken.  Except that it is 2 months later and I have lovely skin. The one above is fresh faced, no make up & the one below is with my CC cream on.  I took that photo cause I want to show you that I am not that scary! Ignore my sleepy puffy eyes, they usually go by afternoon! I can't recommend the Mario Badescu range enough, I love it.  It isn't that expensive either and there are hundreds of products to suit your skin needs.

 

If you would like to try the range, check out the website Mario Badescu to read reviews or pop into Paddy McGurgan's Make up Pro Store & the lovely peeps in there will help you get the right products to suit your skin.

 

Paddy McGurgan Make up Pro Store