Arabian nights

"I love the way your foul little mind works!" Jafar, Aladdin

H&M denim shirt

H&M skinny belt

Navy Benetton full Midi Skirt-similar here

 

 

 

On Wednesday night, I popped into Queens university to try and re live my younger days of Uni life. Granted I was only grabbing some soup before my photoshoot as I hadn't eaten all day but still, it was a nice wee flash back to the good old days of not working 9-5 & being able to sleep all day every day.

So after I let go of my desperate clinging to the past, I headed across the street to the studio were I would spend the next 3 hours shooting for The Fashion Souk. A boutique style fair set in the heart of Belfast City Centre at different times through out the year, The Fashion Souk allows thrifty & creative fashionistas to sell their own clothing, jewellery or accessory designs or you can even sell high fashion second hand clothing. Fans include Cathy Martin, Blush (gorgeous shop on Lisburn road that showed at BFW) and me! Think Portobello Market but in Northern Ireland!

On the 4th of May I have happily agreed to be the host/face of The Fashion Souk at Spires Mall, Belfast! At this stage in the challenge, I kinda have a fair idea what I will definitely wear again or can restyle compared to stuff I am like, I have no idea why I still have this. I mean if I haven't worn it yet in day to day life then there must be a problem with it! So I will be selling some of my previously loved clothes at The Fashion Souk. Means that I get a real feel for the fair & I can practice my haggling skills which are pretty crap! (My mum is coming to help me & she will probably be better at it than me! We then to plan & take our makings from the day to go get blocked in Belfast Fair City!! Brilliant!)

At the doors of the studio, I meet the lovely Linzi, one of the founders of The Fashion Souk (Alyson, her partner is away in France at the minute. Not jealous at all) who was wearing this Fab floppy hat. I wish I had a head for hats. I just kinda look like that German guy who cuts up all the corpses on TV. Though turbans could be one of the first things I buy in 2014!

Anyway! Stuffing soup into my face while getting my make up done must be the most annoying thing for a make up artist to have to deal with! Sorry, Trazanne! But she did an amazing job! Photographer, make up artist, what can't this girl do!! And her husband Glen Norwood was taking the photos. Now I've never shoot with a married couple before, I find it strange to even do some jobs with Connor sometimes but these two work great together! Two for the price of one! The bickering or domestic creative differences as we shall call it, just added to the atmosphere! It was great fun & I can't wait to see the shoots! Check out the images above & below as a little sneak peek! All the fab clothes were supplied by Jacob Street who are selling vintage wear on Saturday the 4th of may as well. Definitely will be making moon eyes at my mum to buy me stuff to keep for my birthday in July! (Ok, that's cheating but its been a tough month people!!!)

If you would like more info on The Fashion Souk, check out their Facebook page or their twitter!

Facebook: The Fashion Souk
Twitter: @FashionSouk

Backstage secrets

"I've been known to throw watermelons, backstage, at people who are giving me news I don't want to hear. But I never aim for the head." Tori Amos

Kigu Dragon

 

 

This was me on Saturday morning. What an outfit of the day, I think it is my favourite so far.  Sadly, my Fashion Swap in association with Ikea and Belfast Fashionweek got postponed due to the weather.  (It is now on Thursday the 28th of March but more on that later). So I curled up in my dragon for a while, caught up on blog posts and then meet my mum and little sister in town.  I think my mum feels sorry for me cause I can't buy anything.  I just follow her around as she tries stuff on and comment on things like a good little daughter should.  Though I must be honest, she bought me a shirt.  It was more to keep her happy than anything, every two seconds was can I buy you this? can i buy you this? How about this? NO MUM! I accepted the shirt gracefully though, just to keep her happy of course.  So that's a total of 3 items of clothing bought for me in 2013, 3 items of clothing in 3 months, 1 for each month.  I can't believe I have gone from buying nearly 3 pieces a week to getting given 3 items of clothing as presents in 3 months. Here is the shirt my mum got me, I know another one shirt but this ones has buttons!!

 

 

Zara White Shirt

 

 

After a lovely afternoon with my mum, it was off to the final night of BFW which I was starring in!  Backstage really felt like Belfast Fashionweek, everyone was buzzing and the atmosphere was hectic. Eleven female models, two male models, 9 children models and 9 hair models.  That's a lot of foundation, hair spray, pouting, posing and catwalking. Of course as I was backstage during the show I was unable to take photos of the gorgeous High street looks but here is a collection of backstage photos just for you lucky readers.

 

After the main catwalk show was the Andrew Mulvenna hair show.  Andrew wanted to take the audience on a journey through hair styles of the past, present and future.  There was 9 girls in total, 3 for past, 3 for present and 3 for future.  I was one of the future girls, channelling my inner super hero! My hair was backcombed, sprayed gold and extensions added.  I have never had extensions in my hair, my head felt so heavy!!!  I then had a mask painted on my face to complete the look.  As the hair show was more relaxed, we were able to have more fun with our poses on the catwalk.  I think there is a photo of me going around where I have arm in the air like supergirl about to fly off and save someone in need!

 

So that is it, Belfast Fashionweek over for another season! This has been a season to remember! Well done to all the BFW team, Andrew Mulvenna & his creative team, Paddy McGurgan and his make up team and the CMPR team for another great year!

That was a long tea break

"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company." Author Unknown

 

 

Well that was a lovely tea break! Pretty long to be honest! Sorry about that, I haven't stopped and it hasn't helped that since the city wide power cut on Friday night, my phone has been messing me around! Ggggrrrr! Who is sick of the snow??? I am currently looking at holidays on my other tab bars, curled up in bed with the electric blanket on listening to the wind howling.  (It's Sunday night as I write this.)

 

So a thank you to Stephen Potter for letting me use his images to finish off my review of Friday's Designer and Boutique at Belfast Fashionweek.  I didn't want to forget the last two shops because there clothing is always gorgeous and tops off Friday night with a bang!

 

 

First shop is the gorgeous Blush! When I was reading the running order for Friday night, I just knew that I couldn't wait for this shop to show their Jenny Packham dresses.  Aw thus begins the fantasy wedding that I have going on in my head while wearing a Jenny Packham dress on a beach with no shoes on.

 

 

 

 

The last shop of the night was that of Jourdan on the Lisburn Road.  A favourite of my Agency boss, Mrs Alison Clarke, the dresses from this shop are perfect for all events and occasions. A day at the races, formals, to casual wear, the shop always supplies a shop stopper!

 

 

Again a well done to all who braved the snow on Friday night to come and see the show! It was one not to be missed! 



Snow Surrender

"When I look back on the stuff I used to wear, I wonder why somebody didn't try to stop me. Just a friendly warning, "You may regret this," would have been fine.”  Ellen DeGenres

I am currently wrapped up in my poncho/blanket watching all the girls get fitted backstage at Belfast Fashionweek. Tonight is designer/boutique night at BFW and I can't wait to see what the local talent and home grown shops have to offer! Tonight is the go to night for BFW, well for me at least. With designers like Ruedi Maguire, Lisa McCabe and Grainne Maher and boutiques like Jourdan, blush and James Street South, it is not to be missed so get your snow shoes on and get down!

Here is a little sneak peak backstage! It's actually very relaxed! Wait till half 7pm hits and everything will be mental!

By George!

"I love going to my supermarket.  Sounds so Rock n Roll, doesn't it?" Rachel Stevens

White Zara Blazer

H&M Black Playsuit-similar here

 

 

So 3 amazing things happened last night, 1) Belfast Fashionweek opened with a bang 2) A blizzard has blanketed Northern Ireland in snow 3) I went to bed with one of the boys from Hanson.  So here, I am again rocking the monochrome look again.  I had a completely different outfit planned, tried it on for my housemates and they oooohhed and ahhhhhed on wednesday night but I changed my mind in work yesterday.  I wanted to rock this look with bare legs but it was way too cold so has been logged in my brain to re use over the summer.  That is if we ever get a summer.  Now I was pretty proud of myself last night, since starting to blog I try to follow as many blogs as possible near and wide, fashion to travel to beauty.  Most beauty bloggers will do vlogs (video blogs) on how to do a certain make up trend so I had this idea in my head of Mary-Kate Oslen and braids for a hairstyle.  As usual I had no time to fit in a hair appointment with work so I thought aw I will watch a vlog on youtube and give it a go! Well could we not be sisters?!?!  HA

 

I was accompanied to George at BFW by my lovely BFF Mis Zoe J Watson.She looked beaut as ever but of course, she had to wear the one thing that I have lusted after since starting this challenge. These beaut Zara kitten heels, £30.  They are the only thing in 3 months of not shopping that I have looked at and went omg I need them in my life. What kind of best friend is that?

 

Zara Chain Court Shoe

 

 

So new season, new venue for Belfast Fashion week and I must say I loved the change of scene.  This year, it is being held in the Ulster Museum.  No joke but I was sitting front row, watching the gorgeous models strut past in their clothes with the bones of a dinosaur behind them. Interesting to say the least. Rather than a raised catwalk, it was a simple white ground catwalk that wrapped around the room.  To me, it felt more relaxed as the models were so close rather than on a raised platform so the atmosphere had a subtle difference to the norm but I liked it. I kept trying to make my housemate Jayne and my BFF Jenny who were both in the show laugh when they walked past! Ooooopppsss ;) 

 

 

 

 

I was really impressed with George at Asda last night.  The colours were perfectly on trend, neon, floral, all white and everything could have been designer chic. Loved the wedge trainers too! They were a favourite of mine, especially the all grey ones as I haven't even seen that colour in the big high street shops.  The girls hair was curled to an inch of its life by the wonderful creative team from Andrew Mulvenna while the boys was simple and straight. (Hence why I went to bed with one of the boys from Hanson, Connor's hair is usually a mess of curls, never have I seen it look so neat!) The make up, done by the fab Paddy McGurgan and his team was a simple white eye and a colour pop lip of pastel colours. Here are some of my favourite looks from the catwalk.

 

 

Caitlyn - White Scuba Dress £16

Connor aka my cocopops - Vintage Hawailan Print Swimshorts £7

Jayne - Yellow Boucle Dress £18

Jenny - Pink dress with Black Cut Out £18

 

 

Finola - Palm Print Swimsuit £12

 

 







That's one thing I will miss being able to buy this year. Bikinis!!! George had some lovely ones, most of the stock shown last night was from their High Summer collection which will be in the shops soon so definately keep an eye out for it! 10/10 from me!

Drum Roll..

"Everyday is a fashion show and the world is your runaway."

Oasis Striped dress- similar here

 

 

It's here! Oh yes peeps, it's Belfast Fashionweek this week! Not a great start to the next few days but I slept in this morning.  Damn you Kevin Bacon and your amazing twisted TV show! (The Following, is anyone else watching it?!? It's amazing!) Hence why my hair is up as I meant to wash it but didn't have time. Just something else to do when I make my mad dash home then wash, change, decide on what to wear and then off to Fashionweek!

 

To me, Fashionweek will always have a big part of my heart. As a model starting out in Northern Ireland many years ago (who is definately not catwalk skyscaper tall), it was always the unattainable wishful thinking that one day I wanted to grace the sparkly fashionweek catwalk and in my opinion if you did then, you had definately made it! Well in Northern Ireland at least! Now I am on my fourth season of gracing the catwalk, this time last year it was my bake on billboards across Belfast as the Face of Fashionweek and just to add a romantic element, I meet my now boyfriend Connor for the first time backstage last year at the High Street night as he was modelling as well.  (Granted I thought who is this twat with a cap on backwards and this white stringy top were you could practically see his nipples and it is always freezing backstage & I was wrapped up in a blanket/slash cardigan but it all worked out in the end!)

 

 

Me and my campaign for Belfast Fashionweek S/S12

 

So tonight is George at Asda! I was surprised when I first heard the line up that George at Asda were taking the catwalk for a full night but I am really looking forward to it! I always see things in magazines from George and think wow I love that so I will be interested to see how the BFW team style it.  George at Asda have shown before at Fashionweek as part of the High Street night. I wore a dress from their collection,  I think it was Circa A/W 2011 but it was one of the images that was used in all the Press.  It looked completely chic and designer! I remember everyone asking me where it was from and they were shocked by my reply. Just goes to show you!

The chic dress from George at Asda A/W 2011.

 

 

So what is to expect from tonight? Well all the models have had gorgeous Vita Liberata tans done, (my lovely housemate Jayne is strutting her stuff on the catwalk every night and she was glowing last night), my gorgeous boyfriend Connor is on the catwalk tonight as well, probably half naked (I will be posting a lot of photos. He's mine ladies but I am happy to share images for a perve.) I called into the venue there on my lunch to leave in a few bits & pieces for the goodies bags and the clothes look amazing! Really bright colours, fitting in with the neon trend perfectly! So all that needs to be done is to decide what the heck to wear to it????

Respite

"Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.” Maya Angelou

Zara coated trousers

Zara Denim shirt

Black Wedge Mary Janes - similar here

 

 

Aw rest, I am well rested after my weekend. I am sure your ears are well rested from my mad ramblings too! I took a few days off cause I know how mad this week will be! It's Belfast Fashionweek! Aw I'm excited! Excited for the amount of hairspray that will be used, excited for the new location and to be involved in every way possible - watching, hosting and even taking part on the catwalk!

 

As quiet as my weekend was meant to be, I still was able to have a little blip were I went "buck wild" as my boyfriends likes to call it.  Not what you think.  It is simply a group of girls going wild for a mutual friends birthday.  Miss Jenny Anne Curran, one of my best friends had her birthday on Saturday night (a bit nearly 2 weeks too early but aw well).  My handbag was filled to the brim with sweets as we gallivanted across Belfast from Cafe Vaudeville (special thanks to Miss Rachel Whittley, u sexy beast) and then on to Ollies.  Finally got to wear my yellow dress again and I didn't even wear a bra with it! Oh I'm so wild! No, I never would have gone out without the most padded bra in the world attached to me but lately my confidence has taken a little lift so I thought why not.

 

 

Asos Yellow pencil dress -similar here

 

 

I think I got anyway with it! What I lacked in boobs, I made up with my big hair.  My gorgeous friend Zara had a stunning dress on from local designer Una Rodden. Una designs fabulous off the peg dresses designed and tailored specially for you and your wants.  Her dresses are stunning! The dress that Zara wore looked amazing on her,  I took a photo but I really don't think it does it justice! It was a really deep purple but it has come out blue in the photo and Zara wouldn't stop dancing all night so she wouldn't stand still for a photo!

 

 

 

 

 

I had a quiet St. Paddy's day! I had to work a half day on Monday morning so I didn't want to have a mad one especially after Saturday night.  I just went home yesterday and tidied only after I finally was able to pull my head out of Fifty Shades.  I decided that I want to read it again after reading it in June last year and I haven't been able to put it down at all.  Last Thursday I said Ikea were coming but unfortunately one of the decorating team was sick so they are now coming tonight!  Yeah,  I didn't really know what to do.  I lay in bed staring at my room thinking should I tidy when they are just going to wreck the place then re tidy.  I sorta just straighted everything in my wardrobe and I came across these Mary Jane's that I completely forgot I had! They are the perfect work heel and I have never worn them to work! I can't wait to Ikea come and organise my wardrobe so I can finally see what I have!!!

Blinding lights

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the colour purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.” Alice Walker, The Colour Purple

Guees Yellow casual Jacket- similar here 

Primark Striped top - similar here 

Hollister Skinnies ripped 

Navy Converse 

Zara Tie Fur Ankle Boots - similar here 

Links of London Sweetie Bracelet 

Chloe Bo Bracelets 

Over the last few weeks, I have done a few interviews for local magazines and newspaper and one question I was asked repeatedly was "which spring/summer trend am I looking forward to wearing?" All of them! I love the monochrome, the flower prints, leather, 90's, all white and finally neon.

Now all of these I can easily say that I have bits and pieces in my wardrobe that I can attempt to replicate each of these trends. The only one that I thought that I wouldn't have anything of was of course neon. So diving into my wardrobe and I am surprised. I am a very plain Jane dresser, not too many over the top whacky prints, some colour but mostly black, white, red and that's it. Or so I thought. I found neon colours!! Tops, play suits, jackets, skirts. Boom! Sometimes I even surprise myself. The above photo is my take on the spring/summer trend of neon!  I had seen this look on Pinterest and loved it. However after taking these photos, I did think I was a bit too casual for work.  Granted we aren't selling at the minute and I am repricing the samples and tidying but still, I thought it was too laid back.  It's the difference between a yellow blazer and a yellow hoodie/jacket that I have.  Hence why I am wearing two different pairs of shoes.  I changed from converse to lace boots with a heel to make it more work friendly.

But say if I could buy neon things, what would my key pieces be for this season???

I love this sundress from Asos. Link here : Asos Cut out Sundress Perfect for throwing on after lounging on a beach all day. *sigh*

I love these, I want this. They would be perfect with jeans or a grey skirt. Zara Vamp electric blue heel

Orange you say?!? I saw this and was like hmmmm I don't know if I would wear this but teamed with a white shirt to cool it down or a denim shirt I def think it could work.  That's the great thing about this challenge, I am definately trying more looks that I would have been have been scared to do before. Topshop Orange Skater Skirt

You know what I just realised?!? I can buy nail polishes!!! Neon nail polishes! Haha I feel like I have cheated my own system!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

"Doing collections, doing fashion is like a non-stop dialogue." Karl Lagerfield

Omg, 2 posts in one day! Really getting into this blogging thing!! I am writting to let you know of this fab little gift I have for you!  Ulster Life, is a fab magazine in Northern Ireland which showcases all things that are fabulous!  Beauty, interior, fashion, interviews with myself included, you name it they write about what is hip in Northern Ireland and beyond! This time last year I was lucky enough to grace the covers to promote Belfast Fashionweek S/S 2012!

Usually at the cost of £20 for an annual subscription, I am offering a yearly subscription for free!! Oh yes, I said free.  I love free stuff, I mean you doesn't love free stuff!  All you have to do is email  LK@myulsterlife.co.uk and you will get the magazine free for 12 months! Couldn't knock it with a stick!!! And guess what???? Your first edition will have interview with moi in it! Even more reason to email!

Also, before I sign off for the weekend (again).  If you would like to nominate me for the Company Style Blogger Awards 2013 of the year, here is the link Company Style Blogger Click & vote for me on the Best Fashion Blogger (Newcomer)! :D pretty please with a cherry on top & sexy underwear. What girl doesn't like cake & sexy underwear???

Mrs Ikea

“You can’t be melancholy in fashion because people don’t respond to it.”  Isaac Mizrahi

Firetrap Coral Thread Jumper -similar here

Topshop navy Leigh Skinny Jeans

 

 

Standard lunchtime for me, quick scoot (all within the speed limit of course) across town to Ikea to shoot more photos for helping to promote the Fashion Swap event on the 23rd of March in conjunction with Belfast Fashionweek.  This time I got to wear a gorgeous dress from Ruedi Maguire! Ruedi, winner of In Magazine Breakthrough Designer of the year 2012, is one of the main up and coming fashion designers in Northern Ireland at the moment.  His gorgeous dresses have been worn by the who's whos's of Northern Irish elite to events across the province. You are able to spot his occasion wear or bridal wear a mile off on the catwalk.  I was lucky enough last week to get a sneak peak of his new Spring/Summer 2013 collection which will be coming to a catwalk near you soon! Ruedi has been kind enough to offer an fabulous prize of a bespoke dress as a raffle prize for the "make room for your life" Fashion swap event!  Even more reason to come to the event on the 23rd of March in the lovely Ikea restaurant from 11am to 2pm!

So casually sitting in a wardrobe getting pictures taken in a gorgeous canary yellow dress.  Yup, standard lunchtime for me at the minute.  I even got called Mrs Ikea by some random child.  I think cause I was wearing yellow & of course one of Ikea's main colour is yellow, not because I look Swedish.  Honoured to be called that actually.  Really just wanted to walk around Ikea wearing the dress pointing out my favourite furnishings to random customers.  "Buy this, I have it in my bathroom & it is wonderful!" If anyone from Ikea is reading this, is this a possibility????

Here is me in Ruedi's gorgeous dress.  I didn't have the breasts to fill it so that's why my arms are tight against my body.

 

Did everyone see my lovely new header??? A special thanks to Tony Webster (Big Bad Llama) Connor Kerr (Connor Kerr Hair) and Emma Mcconville (Emma Mcconville MUA) for their amazing skills.  Can't wait to see the video!!!

Promo Promo Promo

"Everybody know, I don't do promoting.  I don't ever have to promote nothing, that's the beauty of Lil Wayne" Lil Wayne

H&M navy star dress-similar here

Topshop grey cropped jumper

H&M Brown Belt

Unlike lil Wayne, I need to promote. I'm just a little country girl from the north coast of Northern Ireland trying to make a ripple in the big bad world of blogging. I'm sure people are sick of my Facebook being taking over by my self promoting!! Ah well!!  Be prepared for more!

No rest for the wicked! Straight from work home to video a little promo for my blog and also some lovely photos! For me, working in the fashion industry in Northern Ireland for the last 6 years with contacts in make up, hair, fashion stylists, fashion designers, fashion PR etc etc has really helped with the blog and of course I have my favourite people to work with.

One of the people to give me a boost when I started modelling was Connor Kerr. He is mad, he is loud, he is one of the campest, bluntest person I know but by god he is good at what he  does.  I am crap at hair, can't do anything with my hair apart from brush it which sometimes I don't even do that!!  (you have prob noticed from my photos, that my hair doesn't change from a day to day basis, well now you know the reason why)  But for some reason my hair hums when Mr Kerr touches it, it bends to his will and suddenly is absolutely fab.  I am usually left going, how the hell did he do that?!? We have worked on so many projects together and everytime the images have turned out fab.  Now Connor doesn't just do fashion shoot hairstyles, he runs a business with Emma McConville Mua (more on emma in a second) where for £40, they will do your hair and make up for a night out, special occasion, formal, whatever you want basically.  I went to them for my modelling agencies Christmas party to work their magic wands and I loved what they did! Got so many people asking who did my hair and make up that night!!

My hair and make up the night of the ACA Christmas party by Connor and Emma! 

Here are some of my favourite hair & make up by Connor and Emma on little old me!

It of course takes two to tango and Emma is the peanut butter to Connor's Jam! She trained at the Oonagh Bowman School of Make up and is amazing with a make up brush in her hand.  I literally came home from work yesterday, puffy eyes, scabby face, dry skin, I was so tired as well as I hadn't been feeling well and she worked her magic & I looked normal again! Emma is always my go to for all my make up enquires.  She always tells me to start with your eyes first so that you will end up with perfect make up each time.  She uses a whole range of products from Clinque to Urban Decay, Seanna, Collection 2000 and every time I love my make up.  Here are some behind the scenes photos from last night of Emma and Connor at work & me just standing there.

Now who is the master of these images and of my up and coming video appearance???  For this I actually got to work with someone I have never worked with before but have wanted to for ages! Tony Webster, director of the BigBad Llama is the new and up incoming photographer/videographer for Belfast.  His work ressembles Terry Richardson who I absolute love so I couldn't believe my luck when he agreed to work with me on this little promo session I wanted to do. I can't wait to see the video and I got a sneak peak this morning of a few bits and pieces and it is absolutely fab so look out for it!! Totes amazeballs!

Here is some contact info with direct links for all of these lovely folk I mentioned! They are definitely masters at what they do and highly recommend them to work with!

Connor Kerr : Connor Kerr Hair
Emma Mc Conville: Emma McConville Mua  
Tony Webster: Tony Webster, BigBad Ilama