Sick & not in the cool way

“Being sick feels like you're wearing someone else's glasses”  Megan Boyle

Stills Mint Jumper

Topshop Navy Leigh Jeans

River Island brown boots

 

 

I am sick.  Not in the cool way that kids now a days say that they are hip & down with it.  I am generally sick.  There is a box of tissues beside me as I type this & a pile of used tissues in the bin already. ( And also beside my bed at home which I promise I will put in the bin before I collapse into bed.)  I am never sick.  I would say my immune system is one of the only things going for me but on this occasion it has failed.  My tissues are making me smile though as they have glitter on them.  You don't have to admit it to me but everyone does it but you know when you blow you nose & then you look at it?? Well I did that and I thought I was blowing out glitter but no, its just my fancy tissues.

 

 

I don't know how the big bloggers do it?? I mean they must get sick. But do they still upload 50 photos a day? I had to drag myself out of bed today and didn't think at all what I was putting on.  I literally grabbed the cosiest thing I owe that was clean and took a photo. (No make up as you can clearly see)  It also doesn't help that my eyes are very puffy today as well as my housemates and I went to see Safe Haven.  A good old romantic movie on a Tuesday night is a must when you feel this crap.  I even broke out my teddy bear that I used to sleep with every night when I was a kid because I needed that extra loving.  It is times like these that you really miss your mum to take care of you.  I have lived in my own place in Belfast since I was 18.  I think I only waited to the next day after my final A-level and then it was ok, mum I am away to stay in the flat in Belfast for a night out and I just never came back.

 

 

 

Here is a lovely sneak peek of the Ikea press shoots from yesterday! Casual lounging in a Pax wardrobe in Ikea wearing a gorgeous formal dress. (Def should have put tan on, I will just blame it on the sickness.)

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!!!

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

The Emperor is Naked!

“I love new clothes. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore.” Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic

 

Asos Skater Dress 

Asos Spikey belt 

Flicking through my photos I have realised that I have never worn the same thing twice.  Is it an achievement? Nope, I have now turned into one of those bloggers that I hate, it seems like I have an endless wardrobe & I'm too good to wear the same thing twice.  Ok, I maybe do have an endless wardrobe hence why I'm doing this challenge but I promise as the year goes on, you will be sick of me wearing the same thing.  I will be sick of me wearing the same thing.

I have itchy feet. This is not good.  I don't actually have itchy feet, I have metaphorical itchy feet like I need to buy something.  I have an urge deep inside me to shop.  Does anyone else get that? It's my own fault as the last few nights due to sickness I have went to bed early with my Ipad & just sat & had a nosey on Asos. Don't worry! I haven't bought anything but god, it is hard not too!!!  As I have got to know my wardrobe better, I can tell you want I need, not what I want but what I need.

Number 1: Black Flat Below the knee Boots

This is one thing I am missing & it's a pretty basic.  I had been looking for a pair of these boots before Christmas but could not find any nice ones or ones that didn't look ridiculous on my stupid skinny milinky legs.  Now I have on Asos, typical. Could be a potential hall pass?? I am that close to the edge people!!!

 Asos Black leather Boots

Number 2: Black Hidden heel trainers

Omg, I love these type of trainers! I have red & nude and now I want black.  I was telling my mum at the weekend how much I wanted a black pair & she told me she had a pair I could borrow. Well did my heart do a giant leap! Of she went to get them, came back down from her room. & my heart sunk.  Please mum, I have standards for borrowing.  I shouldn't but I do.  They weren't even close to being what I was looking for, they were just a black boot with laces & a heel.  Disappointed is an understatement. (Ok maybe these are a need, but I def could use them!)

 Black office hidden heel trainers

Number 3: Grey tights

Something I would never think of wearing.  But I have seen so many bloggers wearing them with brown/ tan boots & they look fab! I tried to potentially bend the rules to buy these but again I was refused but my rule governors. Stupid rule makers, ruining all my fun.

Grey H&M tights

I'm going to stop while I'm ahead.  I have a saved box on Asos the length of my arm, photos saved on my phone of bits & pieces I would have bought and I am dropping so many hints to Connor but I know for a fact it is going straight over his head. Today is a bad day.