Wardrobe diving

"If I ruled the world, every woman would have a Chanel suit in her wardrobe." Bill Nighy

 

 

Zara Khaki Shoulder padded top

Zara Black skirt with leather strip

 

Wardrobe diving: (noun)  Created by Laurina Kennedy on the 27th of June, 2013.  It is a name for the act of trying to find something to wear in a wardrobe that is over flowing and where everything is a mess and not folded or colour coded.

 

 

I like to think I am an organised person. I am such an organised person that I have even got a job where the core essence of it is organising someone else's life.  My wardrobe is pretty organised, hey I even had Ikea in to organise it even more for me! Everything has it's own drawer, box or hanging place. Usually sadly enough, everything is coloured coded or at least grouped together by the type of clothing it is. Please note the key word in that sentence is usually.

 

 

I need to tidy. I am currently on wash number 3 of 5 so I'm slowly getting through that.  My room is at least tidy but the minute that you open a drawer, things start flying out, nothing is folded, standard girls room really.  I think this is one of the big tips I would give to people if they want to try and wear everything in their wardrobe. 

 

I simply forget what I have. It is so easy to do.  All I remember is the latest thing that I have bought so that is all I wear.  Now as I said yesterday, for the next month I would be trying to wear things that I haven't worn yet in the last 6 months.  This skirt was the last thing I bought before I went on my Fashion Fast.  Bought on my romantic trip to Paris over New Year's Eve.  So it got lost in the challenge.  Pushed to the bottom of my skirt drawer as I tried to wear things I hadn't worn in ages.  Now to be honest, if I had tried this skirt on in Paris, I am not sure I would have bought it. I am not sure it fits me right.

 

So now the question is: KEEP or BIN?!?

 

Hmmmm I think KEEP.  I mean I have only worn it once for gods sake!! It is not my nicest skirt but its not too bad.  I love skater skirts, nip me in at the waist but flows out to create some shape on my figure.  This style of skirt I would say is more tulip. In at the waist but flows straight down.  I love the leather trim on it though.  So I think it is a keeper!!! Will be great for Winter with tights and boots.

 

 

The many uses of a watering can

"Some hats can only be worn if you are willing to be jaunty, to set them at an angle and to walk beneath them with a spring in their stride as if you're only a step away from dancing.  They demand a lot from you." Neil Gaiman

 

Zara Blazer with leather sleeves-similar here

Zara Khaki Oversized blouse-similar here

Asos Cycling knee length leggings- similar here

zara high heels black & gold

 

 

Everyone knows I love Ikea.  When I was a student, I got excited for my loan coming in not to go spend it on clothes but to go spend it at Ikea.  So last night I was invited to the launch of Ikea's new Outdoor Living Collection on the rooftop of the Merchant.  I was meant to go to yoga at 7pm but I got distracted by the gorgeous BBQ that the merchant put on for us. I did actually try to dress for yoga too, you may be like how can you do yoga in high heels? Well the knee leggings are actually my yoga pants & I had a black string vest underneath! Girl on go, dressing for all occasion.  My handbag even had pumps & face wipes in it! Hope you like my watering can hat too!!

 

IKEA PS Chairs

 

 

I have said it before but my house is like an Ikea showroom. Ikea had completely decked the merchant rooftop out in fab Ikea Summer furniture and upon walking in, I was like oh I have that, and that and that.......wait I haven't got this! Oh my God, I want!!!! Ikea has helped with my internal struggle for this challenge, if I have a feeling of wanting to buy clothes, I have just went to Ikea instead!

 

 

FALSTER Series

 

I always love going into Ikea and seeing how they have everything set out. And last night was great to help to inspire everyone on how to revitalise and transform their outdoor living space in time for summer.  But if you are like me and wouldn't really have random lemons sitting in a bowl in your garden as lovely an idea as that is, I have included some pictures of my own outdoor space kitted out in all Ikea furniture.  I have had this Ikea furniture for a couple of years now so just goes to show you it has lasted.  My balcony was basically a concrete slab that I never used.  It stayed like that for a couple of years then I decided I wanted to do something with it.  I think it shows you perfectly that with Ikea furniture you can easily transform a outdoor space in a simple, achievable and affordable way. Can't wait till the summer days start (when will that be?!?) so I can start using it again.

         

Ikea PS VAGO easy chair

 

 

The IKEA outdoor living range is available in-store and online at Ikea Online

 

Clothes Fight

"Fight club is about winning or losing." Narrator, Fight Club

 All saints Grey Tshirt

Green Maxi Skirt Primark-similar here
Office Nude wedge trainer

Last night was my fashion swap event in conjunction with Belfast Fashionweek and IKEA! Again a mad dash from work at 5pm to IKEA, my life at the minute is a mad dash! I have never even been to a fashion swap before, it was one of the original challenges I wanted to do when I started this blog so I was excited to experience my first one! What did I expect? Casual flicking through the rails, fighting on the restaurant floor of IKEA over a dress or simply sneaking off to have a nosey at IKEA furniture??

At 5.30pm, now granted the event didn't start to 6pm, there was a queue at door. Women standing on there tippy toes to see the rails, sneakily trying to peak at the other people's bags to see what they have and you could see the light in their eyes sparkle when they saw something they liked. I was scared to even go near one of the rails just in case I got tackled from behind!

Wine, chocolate nibbles, goodie bags with a gift from IKEA was all supplied for the attendees (I choose a goodie bag with some lovely smelly candles) And GO!! Clothes on the rail, women bustled bumping into each other trying to find something they liked and their size. As quickly as it started as quickly was it over. I didn't even get a chance to look at the rails! I was too busy chatting to people that by the time everything was gone! Fail for me but at the same time, I am so happy so many people turned up and got something for them!

I would definitely love to hold another fashion swap! Maybe in Autumn/winter season. I just like to give a special thanks to Belfast Fashionweek and The IKEA team especially Jane Williams for organizing the event! Great success!!

Thursday child has far to go

"I believe that every event in life happens in an opportunity to choose love over fear." Oprah Winfrey

Due to the lovely weather in Northern Ireland at the moment, the Ikea "swap for your life" event has now been moved to Thursday the 28th of March from 6pm to 9pm. Held in a designated area of Ikea's restaurant, fashionistas can bring previously loved clothes and swap them for other previously loved clothes. It is a free event! All you need do to is bring along clothes and there will be nibbles & drinks provided!

I can't wait for this event! Technically if I bring clothes to swap,it is not buying clothes!! I have been lucky enough to have had a nosey at what people have already brought and I have my eye on a few things already! Please if you can bring your clothes before to Ikea over the next day or too, that would be great. If not, you can bring on the night! Hope to see you all there!

Make room for your life

 

Here it is!!

 

 

This is my video with Ikea of when they came to "Make room for my life" aka organising my wardrobe for me! I love the way they have decorated and organised my room with the secondary storage.  I really noticed it this morning when I was trying to decide what to wear to Belfast Fashionweek tonight again.  Everything has its own place so it was all easily found! I would definately recommend it for all budding fashionistas!

 

Check out their website for ideas or even just pop down to Ikea Belfast!

 

IKEA Website

 

 

A special thanks must be said to Jane Williams from JPR for reading the blog and helping a girl out in the quest of actually knowing what she has in her wardrobe! Snaps for Jane.

Dead Space

 

"Storage is important, you need storage for like, to store things." Anthea Turner

 

The House Rules in my hall. Break them and you have to leave.

 

 

I learnt this phase last night. Apparently, according to the gods that are Ikea, I have a lot of dead space in my bedroom! *gasp* horror* Really? Me? Surely not!! I would say I am a organised person, detailed to do lists are a great friend of me. So of course, my bedroom is pretty tidy too. Well maybe not tidy (you have seen it in the background of my photos. Not a massive fan of making my bed) but everything has a place even if that place is the floor.

So when Ikea said they would come and "make room for my life" i.e Ikea think I've too much clothes and want to help tidy my wardrobe so I know where everything is, I was intrigued. I come across things in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in ages and don't even remember I have so the idea of everything having a place easily excited me. My house is like an Ikea showroom, felt kinda embarrassed that everything from my front door mat, picture frames, fake flowers and all kitchen utilitises are from Ikea.  You could even call me an Ikea stalker, I was there the day it first opened (they gave me free chips) and my relationship with them began.  It was the lovely Jane who organises all Ikea Belfast's PR who read my blog and contacted me.  Thank you lovely Jane.  So again, mad dash after work home.  (I seem to be mad dashing everywhere at the minute) to welcome Ikea with open arms into The Princess Palace. I hoovered mum, don't worry!

 

So here are the before photos of my wardrobe.  My wardrobe is mainly all built in, as my flat is only for hobbits due to the slanted ceilings. My 6ft 2in boyfriend does not appreciate having to walk around my room with his head bent at a 45 degree angle so he doesn't bang his head.  My advice is to wear a helmet. He bangs his head all the time off stuff, it's quite amusing.  So I wondered what Ikea could really help me with? I love all their furniture, especially their Pax wardrobes and I am currently saving for a armchair for my bedroom.  My intrigued levels rose when they came in with bags and bags of boxes.

It is called secondary storage.  Everything has a place, every box has a name.  There's my knicker box, knitted scarf box, cotton scarf box, shoe boxes, bracelet box.  The boxes sooth my OCD for everything to have a place.  My words to Connor after Ikea were, "Can I go play?"  Now it took me a while, perfectionist here but my wardrobe is now sorted.  Everything is spread out, I know where everything is; no more half folding stuff and trying to push close the drawer because there is actually space for my clothes to lay nicely in my drawers!  Here are some photos as a sneak peek of what Ikea did.  (They did video the transformation, my skills are with writing not speaking it would seem.)

So lovely and tidy. *sigh* Can't wait to go home and finish playing with the boxes.  They brought me some to organise all my beauty/make up with. So excited.  Thank you Ikea, let's be friends forever.

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!!!

Just one of those days

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”  Mark Twain

New look Maxi Striped dress Similar here

Asos Parka

 

 

Just one of those days,  one of those days where I had no idea what to wear. I still have them, don't worry, you are not alone.  I had an idea in my head, denim shirt and grey maxi skirt.  It didn't work.  Now that I am doing the blog, I don't want to claim to be all knowing in the fashion, I still have those moments when I am standing staring at my wardrobe, going what the f*** am I meant to wear today.  If anything I feel more pressure to try and always be on the ball to impress you but today it wasn't happening.  I saw this maxi dress & thought oh you will do.  Just wanted something easy to pull on.  Now that I am in work with my freezing arms (took off my coat for 5 mins and put it back on) I think I should have prob put a slouchy jumper over it of at least a cardigan.  You would think that I thought it was warm!!

 

Just one of those days when I can't be bothered.  We all have them so do please forgive me.  The parka probably doesn't fit in very well with the striped maxi dress.  A nice cropped denim jacket would have been better with this look but it was too cold not to wear anything but a fur lined big coat that I can snuggle in to to hide from the wind.  So this was me when I arrived into work.  I actually got a text from a friend saying that he had never seen a grumpier Eskimo in this life. Just one of those days.

 

Oh a good note, Ikea are coming to my house after work to organise and "make room for my life" I haven't even hoovered!!! Tune in tomorrow to see how they organise my wardrobe for me! :)

 

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!!!

Self building

"It takes half your life before you discover that life is a do-it-yourself project"  Napoleon Hill

 

Zara Leather Jumper 

Topshop Black cord Necklace 

River Island Black Skinnies 

Passion, that's what Ikea calls my relationship with clothes.  I call it an addiction to spend money and the need to always have something new but whatever trevor.  We have a slight difference of opinion.  We do however have the same opinion that my room is a mess.  Granted, I have my room and wardrobe as organised as physically possible for the amount of stuff I have.  My bras hang in my little walk in wardrobe, I have a scarf box, drawers for different items of clothing.  And yet I still find stuff with tags on it and find myself going "I don't remember buying this!"  My clothes are also spread over 5 rooms of my flat,  there's 3 coat racks at the front door with coats that I haven't worn, a shoe box in the living room and up in my store room, I have my formal dresses just in case I magically have to go to a formal anytime soon. (Still have my formal dress I wore at my AS level formal which was 7 years ago.....)

My 26 Bras, I think I wear about 5

 

You can actually spot a pair of jeans with tags still on them. Bought in summer 2012, still not worn.

So it was ironic when Ikea contacted me and said "Hey Laurina, would you like to make room for your life?!?" Why yes, Ikea I really really would.  More on this little development later.

Ikea and I are great friends, apart from when I am building their furniture and I smack my thumb with a hammer.  Then I call them a lot of not nice names but most of the time we are very good friends as my house is kitted out in their lovely furniture.  So it is with my pleasure that I am getting to host a Swap for Your Life event as part of the West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK on Saturday the 23rd of March in a stylishly designated area of their Belfast's customer restaurant.  

Ikea, Belfast Fashionweek and I are encouraging fashion followers to make room for their lives at home by organising their wardrobe before the lovely spring weather and gorgeous spring styles start to appear on the shop floors.  (Lucky for you guys, you can actually buy them :( I just have to lust after them... I am having a hard week this week.  I did nearly break, but I stayed strong!! It was my first trip to Zara since I started this so please forgive me).  Once you have organised your wardrobe, bring your previously loved garments to this event and you can swap them for a whole new array of findings!!!  Fashion swaps are a great idea as they fill your wardrobe full with new clothes without spending any money!!!  It was one of my first ideas when I started this blog for my challenges but I never expected it to be this big and in conjunction with Belfast Fashionweek or Ikea!!! I expected a couple of rails in my living room & a few of my friends but this is going to be amazing!!

So quick fire information on this magical event:

• Saturday 23rd of March during Belfast Fashionweek (More info on Fashionweek, www.belfastfashionweek.com)
• 11am to 2pm in the lovely Ikea restaurant
• Can drop off clothes before hand at FASHIONWEEK HQ, 3rd floor, Talbot Street, Belfast or at Ikea Belfast or bring them on the Saturday
• Clothes will be sorted into a traffic light system to ensure a fair trade and you are swapping like for like garments
• No garments then sorry you can not swap :(
• Oh! There will be a fabulous auction in aid of Diabetes UK, Ikea's designated charity for 2013 of a secret coveted item of clothing

So please do come!  It will be great fun!  I attended Ikea on Saturday past for the photo call so keep your ear to the ground and your eyes peeled for more information or just contact me! I am happy to answer any questions! 

It's like this was written just for me!

Catching Flies

"I am shocked to have gone as far as I have gone"  Steven Patrick Morrissey

I was up at 7.37 today. That might be normal for some people but this is coming from a girl who at the start of the year was getting out of bed at 9.15 and starting work at 9.30 with a 12 minute walk to complete as well. Early rises to me are always associated with going on holiday but sadly this is not the case.

I wouldn't get out of bed for just anyone. It would have to be a pretty special person to get me to open my eyes & that special person was Miss Jenny Curran. For nearly two years, I listened to the tap tap tapping of Jenny's computer keys as she wrote her articles for The Sunday World in the bedroom beside me. ( I heard other noises too especially every sunday at 10am but I won't go into that) so it is an odd sensation to be a subject of Miss Curran's stories. It's an odd sensation as I have said before that anyone wants to listen/read about my blog.

I have lovely journalists like Miss Curran who's ears have pricked at my blog and my challenge contacting me. I also have my own monthly column in a local magazine, Local Woman, I am working with one of my favourite company's Ikea and their "make room for your life" campaign, I am running a clothes swapping event at Belfast Fashionweek and in May I am attending a bloggers conference to discuss my blog. (More on each of these things later!) And to top this all off, I still haven't bought any clothes for the last two months!!

My first column in Local Woman!

I am astounded, shocked, perplexed, amazed, stunned, astonished and overwhelmed. (That's all the adjectives that I can think off at this time in the morning.). Who knew.

I really am actually finding the no clothes shopping pretty easy if I am honest. I haven't worn the same thing twice and I have re fallen back in love with my wardrobe. It's made me appreciate fashion again and taking the time to put some thought and effort into the way I present myself. Granted my hair is still greasy and my nails are always dirty and I still wear mis-matched socks but at least my outfits look well! My dad says that I probably will be the cause of the triple dip recession due to my lack of spending in the shops though.

But I can't wait to see where else this blog brings me! So keep tuning in! It is only February like, I still have 10 months to go so it might all go downhill soon!!!

Suit up!

"I couldn't afford a trip to Europe after college so I went backpacking through Ikea to find myself." Dave Grohl

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Shirt 

Asos Grey Jumper 

Navy high waisted Leggings Zara 

I suited up this morning, well as much as I can without feeling like I'm fifty year old bank clerk.  Who am I trying to impress you ask? Can't tell you just yet but I have a meeting today.  Do people even wear suits to work any more?  It seems that now the work place attire has gone very smart/casual.  I have two suits that I bought from Next when I considered doing a work placement during University, these of course have never seen the light of day.

Zara Trench Coat

Balenciaga Handbag

Oh yes, I mean business. Dressed to impress but sadly when I try to be professional, it usually ends badly.  For example, when I went for my placement interview with Diageo, I wore a suit and kitten heels (I think I still have them) but I fell head first going up the stairs and I pushed the interviewer down with me.  I got the placement though but I turned it down! So yes, cross your fingers for me.

PS. Happy Pancake Tuesday everyone!!! If you are about Belfast today, call up to the Wellington Park Hotel today (beside the bot and Eg). My bff Jenny Curran is selling pancakes with all proceeds going to Action Cancer! I will be there the minute I finish work at 5pm!!! She closes at 6pm so make sure you are there before then!