Parting is such sweet sorrow

"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”   J.M Barrie, Peter Pan.

Asos maxi dress

 

 

A little random break from the fashion world to say goodbye to one of my best friends, Miss Jennifer Anne Curran. Jenny Anne, born 27th of March, 1987 (I'm kinda writing this as if she has died, almost sounds like an obituary, anyway) is moving away this weekend to Hong Kong/Australia/she doesn't actually know.

 

She failed at being Miss Northern Ireland (I think she tried 4/5 times), Miss Ireland (think that was twice), Miss World Tourism (she hated china), Miss Hawaiian Tropic (her body is beaut but she has fried eggs for boobs while the other girls had fakies), she failed at resisting her lustful body and falling for her personal trainer/love of her love TFit (which is why she is going away, cause they are so happy & want to see the world before she pops out a kid, bluh, f them & their happiness) but the one thing she didn't fail at was being the best friend ever.

 

 

Jenny is one of those amazing creatures who doesn't judge, who always listens, who is up for anything, lives life to the full, is beaut and also has a cracking personality.  She is the girl that girls love to hate cause she is perfect but you can't cause she is simply too nice.  She also loves to talk about just about anything.  Our final conversation last night consisted of bananas, pee, petrol bombs, vaginas (standard for us) and the meaning of life.  Now she has left me & Zoe J.  The 3 of us lived together for nearly 2 years.  From seeing each other every day to talking nearly every day to now not even being in the same continent! It is quite emotional.  (Can't work out if I am more jealous at her moving to Australia or I am sad that she is going.)

As a parting gift, Zoe & I got a photo of our arses printed on a tshirt so she would always have us close by.

So yes, this is a little tribute to our friendship. It was beautiful, still is.  It is as beautiful as a vagina that has been vazjazzled so sparkly and pretty. Let the Skype conversations begin!!!

The fear

"Alcohol is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin

 

White Blouse Sandwich 

Skinny combats trousers Zara 

Fur lace up ankle boots Zara, similar here 

It is lunch time on a Friday afternoon and I have the FEAR.  It is my best friend's birthday tonight, the gorgeous Miss Zoe J Watson (you may know her as the grumpy face, f**k me boot wearing PR manager of Rain Nightclub but to me, she's the Ron Weasley to my Harry Potter).  Oh I am scared, you ever get that feeling where you know it is going to be a good night but there is going to be a lot of drinking as well. I have nothing planned tomorrow on purpose.  Now I will be the first one to admit, I am a light weight.  I am not the biggest drinker,  never have been and probably never will be.  I don't even think I have been properly tipsy this year yet, I have had a few West Coast Cooler but none of the hard liquor of Apple Sours yet.

Here, we are! Zoe, Miss Jenny Curran and me! The best friends anyone could ask for. We bonded during Miss Northern Ireland 2009 were we drew penises on Jenny's chicken fillets so it would transfer on to her skin during bikini rehearsal. Those were the days! We lived together for 2 years and have now sadly went our separate ways. I can't remember the last time we had drinks together! It's going to be a mad one!

Speaking of mad, Jenny Curran is mad. That's the only way to describe her. I love her to pieces but she is mad. She gives her everything to anything she is involved with. Queen Journo for the Sunday World, she sets herself challenges and writes about them. I've seen her become a female bodybuilder in 6 months, bake for the whole of Belfast and wing walk. Zoe & I think she should call her 1st child Charity as it would be very fitting.

Less than 6 months ago, Action Cancer set Jenny the challenge of turning £1000 into £7000 anyway that she wanted. She opened "Jenny's Baps" a quirky cafe on the Lisburn Road for a week. She baked everything herself, we all pulled shifts in the cafe and thanks to the generous donations of customers and people who donated milk, fridges, furniture; Jenny made an amazing amount of money but she's not quite there yet.

Shove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras or simply Pancake Tuesday is coming this Tuesday the 12th of February. And guess what, her baps are turning to pancakes.  Jenny will be opening her legs, sorry I mean doors to people and baking pancakes for all!! Everyone knows the Wellie Park Hotel beside the Bot and Eg on the Malone Road. Many of us, including me has visited the chippy just outside it late on a Wednesday night but Jenny is taking over this and selling Pancakes for all who passes this coming Tuesday! Get down and get a Pancake, open all day!!! I'm a plain & simple kinda girl so I have already ordered sugar and lemon one.

I might get Jenny to practice on me & zoe tomorrow morning and in turn help cure the hungover that I know I will have.  Question now is, what the hell am I going to wear?  I'm thinking a possible leather dress from zara that my mum got me for Christmas that still has the tags on it! You see, this not buying clothes is easy!!! Happy weekend everyone.

Standard Friday Night

"The camera photographs what is there" Jack Nicholson

H&M black knit jumper

Tan Leather Skirt - similar here

Topshop necklace

So what did everyone do on their Friday evening? Normal day in my life, I had a half naked photoshoot with my boyfriend after work. Standard...not! Think more Calvin Klein-esqe rather than full blown porno! So why were we posing & making cringe worth yet fab images for? To help out out Northern Ireland's dream team of course!

First up, Mr Paddy McGurgan, the European Make up artist Champion 2012 has opened a Make Up Pro store on Belfast's Royal Avenue. He's trained with Mac, Stila and worked with stars from Mischa Barton, Yasmin Le Bon and me of course! HA! The new store close to the Belfast Telegraph offices provides professional make up applied by professional make up artists who have all been trained by Paddy. Trust me, I've had my make up done by Paddy and many of his angels & every single time I have loved it. From being bodied painted, commercial make-up, fashion make-up, wedding style make up, you name it, Paddy & his Angels are geniuses with a make up brush.

Here are a couple of examples, just to show you the high standard we are talking about:

Not only can you make appointments to be pampered but Paddy is selling make up and skincare brands that haven't been available in Northern Ireland before. Make-up studio, T. Le Clerc, Balance Me and embryolisse are to name a few. My star buy is this little beauty. Does everyone remember this photo of Kim K appearing on her twitter feed?

She looks like she is William Wallace about to go to war! But, actually, she is wearing a yellow primer & Paddy sells the actual one she uses!! It combats redness, brightens the skin and creates an even skintone for your make up to go on. I'm not joking, he used the powder under my eyes & my dark circles were gone! I think all the money I might save this year from not shopping will be spent in this shop!!

Here is the little beauty! It is by T.le Clerc & available in a powder or liquid form depending on your skin type and what you want to use it for.

To take these images all you have to do is climb the stairs to the studio above Paddy's shop & into the lair of the legendary photographer Khara Pringle. If you are a model in Northern Ireland & you get to shot with Khara, you know you have made it. Quirky & striking herself, you can instantly tell when an image has been shot by Khara. They are all stunning & striking! She can make any one look good. Khara makes you feel instantly relaxed & it always turn into a laugh. Honestly, I was nervous about this shot. Of course, I love being in front of the camera but posing all lovey dovey with you boyfriend can be harder than it looks! I felt awkward & angsty & as usual Connor was as cool as a cucumber! But the minute we were in front the camera, Khara made it easy & relaxed. We got some amazing shoots! Can't wait to see them in the Daily Mirror highligthening Khara & Paddy's amazing teamwork! Until then, here are some of my favourite shots Khara has done with me & other models in Northern Ireland.

Last but def not least is the gorgeous Rebecca McKinney, Personal stylist for Victoria Square. Victoria square is main shopping centre in Belfast. It has over 50 shops ranging from House of Fraser, Topshop, h&m, Guess, Hollister, Ted Baker and Cruise to name but a few. Imagine getting to shop, style photo shoots and dress clients in her gorgeous Personal styling booth for a job! She's a lucky girl but she knows her stuff!! Rebecca kept Connor's & my clothes to a casual, chic minimal. Nothing to distracting but the clothes really helped enhance the natural, everyday feel they wanted to get from these images. In one of the photos, I got to wear this outfit from Guess

Now if I was buying clothes this year, I would make a beeline for these nude skinnies! They were an amazing fit and so comfy for a skinny! But sigh, I'm not! Rebecca thinks I'm crazy for this challenge, understandable so. Especially when for £30, I could have a Personal Styling Package with Rebecca in her gorgeous booth & get discounts across Victoria Square to boot!

Well that's the dream team. It is always a joy to work with any of these professionals but together, it was a lot of fun. Don't laugh but here's a wee sneak peak of the images. Standard Friday night.....

For more information on Paddy visit www.paddymcgurganartist.com or call 028 9043 4007

For more information on Khara visit www.kharapringlephotographic.com or call 07979218456 or 028 9182 6000

For info on Rebecca & The Personal Stylist suite, please call 028 9032 2277 / 07850208442 or email ps@victoriasquare.com

Bit of bling bling

"I have a very classic take on fashion. I like my accessories to pop, but in general, my style is pretty classic." Ashley Greene 

 

White T-shirt H&M 

Plum Midi Skirt Topshop 

I'm snotty, wheezy and sneezy.  Thanks for making me sick little brother.  I don't think he will be reading this as he is 9 years old but still, cheers. 

So I'm sick & I'm wearing a t-shirt... I'm blonde, not the smartest crayon in the box.  Today though, my aim was to accessorise to the max!  Accessorising is not one of my strong point to be honest.  My dad gave me a gorgeous diamond necklace on my 18th, my mum gave me the earrings to match on my 21st & that is my stable jewellery.  I hate taking them off so I just wear them all the time.  I have costume jewellery, but as many things in my wardrobe, it is covered in dust. Today though, no no no, it was like decorating my christmas tree again.  Arm is covered in pretty bracelets, I'm wearing a lovely gold belt & a spikey necklace. No earrings though, kinda forgot but I think that would have been too much. 

 

Spikey Necklace; Zara  

Gold Belt, primark 

Assortment of Bracelets

Here is a lovely close up of my pink, pale skin & the accessories I'm wearing today.  Now as I said accessorising isn't one of my strong points so I'm simply don't buy them.  Most of these have been lovely gifts so I have given alternatives on the links. 

Advantages to accessorises so far:

1. Complimented in the shop on my necklace, great start to the day

2. It helps make this normal t-shirt & tube skirt a really funky outfit

3. I feel all pretty, like I have actually made a real effort today

4.  Elasticated belt so it moves with my expanding belly full of the supernoodles I'm currently having for lunch

Disadvantages to accessories so far:

1. Necklace kept getting caught in my scarf this morning, which pulled the material of the scarf. (sorry connor as the scarf is yours hahaha)

2. My bracelets are annoying making noises every single time I type or move my hand to the mouse.

3. Necklace is slightly rubbing my skin as you can see from the pinkness of my skin. I'm a man though & can take it.  Lies, I'm a delicate flower & it hurts so I'm tugging my t-shirt up. This is in turn giving me a hunchback in my t-shirt.

Contents Page

"When I free my body from its clothes, from all their buttons, belts, and laces, it seems to me that my soul takes a deeper, freer breath." ~August Strindberg

Ever wanted a reality check & to appreciate what you have? This challenge is definitely it!!!

I have just finished going through all my wardrobe & counting/categorising what I have. At the start, I guesstimated 300 pieces of clothing. Of course, it is double that. 715 pieces of clothing & shoes in my wardrobe.

Here's a quick break down:
Dresses: 60 including
33 going out dresses (19 of these are black, 6 of these are red)
9 maxi dresses
16 formal & cocktail dresses

Trousers: 51 pairs including
24 blue denim jeans

Jackets & coats: 48 including
1 fur coat with my granny's name stitched on the inside
12 Zara blazers

Skirts & shorts: 41

Tops: 143 including
53 t-shirts (23 of them have comical sayings on them)
32 long sleeve tops
58 string tops

Shirts: 17 (6 of these are blue)

Jumpers: 24

Bras: 26 (who needs 26 bras?!? Underwear is a weakness of mine)

And one dragon onesies.

So sitting here, surrounded by my clothes. What do I do now? Roll around in them & make clothes angels? Do a massive car boot sale & sell them as half of them I haven't worn in 6 months? Nope, I'm going to wear everything at least once this year & if I put it on & don't like it, it's going in a box for charity. Or I could do a joey from friends & just wear all my clothes at once!

So what have I learnt from my first week of not shopping for the whole of 2013? The blogging community is a very supportive place!! (Unlike your boyfriend who sends you photos of the new shoes he bought), you have a lot more than you think and last but not least, Ryan Gosling will still want to go on a date with you even if he meets you wearing 2012 fashion.

Hello, my name is Laurina & I'm a recovering shopaholic...

The Rules

 "It's a new era in Fashion - there are no rules." Alexander McQueen

First weekend of my challenge & what do I do? Go into Belfast to have a nosy around the shops. Not the smartest decision in the world but I thought I could hold my head high, wander the shops & laugh at customers of Topshop while I, the recovering shopaholic counted the money I was saving.

This did not occur. I followed my boyfriend around the men's sections like a lost puppy. Not sure where to look or what to do, I decided to abandon ship & hightail it to shops where I could buy things. It would seem that Paperchase & Easons will be my saviours for the next year. I am determined to do this though following the good response I got from putting up the first blog post.

This idea popped into my head as so many of my brilliant schemes do on a lonely late night drive from my hometown of coleraine back to the sparkly lights of the big smoke aka Belfast. Let me set the scene. It was a couple of days after Xmas, my car was packed to the brim with suitcases & presents most of which were clothes. I knew I had no hangers left in my wardrobes, my walk in wardrobe was overflowing with shoes, bras, hats and handbags that were collecting dust & yet sitting beside me was a topshop bag with a lovely new pencil skirt, t-shirt & pumps.

Upon deciding that I could be on to something, I did the one thing girls always do in their time of need. Call their best friends to a meeting in Starbuck. Note to readers: Possible life changing debates should always be done with a cup of tea in hand.

Here are the rules we decided on that day & those I will be sticking to for the next year:

1. First & foremost: no buying clothes or accessories. Clothes include jackets, coats, t-shirts, shirts, trousers, jeans, bras, necklaces, shoes, bags. Basically anything in a clothes shop

2. I do however have 5 hall passes to use anytime throughout the year. As my friend pointed out, what if I get asked to meet the queen?? Or more likely get invited to a wedding? 1 hall pass for 1 item of clothing. I will of course try my best not to use them.

3. Borrowing & swapping is highly recommended! My mum & I r roughly the same size & we always swap clothes. It's a great way to put a new spin on your wardrobe!

4. No getting people to buy me clothes or slipping anyone money & hinting that I would like something. My nearest & dearest have been warned!!!

5. Gifting is ok. My birthday is in July & I've already told my mum she will be getting a suggestion list of clothes!

6. I actually work as a PA for a fashion agent in Belfast. Every 6 months my boss has a sample sale in which I can pick free clothes that I wear to work. There are usually slim pickings as they are 3 sizes too big for me but if there is any clothes that fit me, I am allowed to take them as I need them for work & they r free.

This is a pretty boring blog post but I wanted to get this one out of the way as it sets the boundaries of what the challenge is all about. For the next week, I am categorising my wardrobe, taking pictures & numbering the items so when I do start posting my outfits of the day, everyone will know that I haven't sneakily added random items of clothing anytime through out the year. Also, every month I hope to do a challenge like hosting a swap party, learning to knit or learning to DIY an outfit. I am also keeping a record of things I would have bought, just to have a rough estimation of how much I am potentially saving.

Pppphhhheeeewwwww, glad that is out of the way. Next blog post will be more entertaining I promise!!

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