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!!!

Full moon, half moon, total eclipse

"It's an extraordinary thing, this tiny little province of Northern Ireland, where carnage happened. And I was a part of it.  I grew up in it." Liam Neeson

Primark Stripe top -similar here

Coral caridgan Therapy- similar here

Ladies navy chinos

This weekend I am backing Belfast!  If you haven't guessed by now I am from the lovely country of Northern Ireland.   I don't know about other bloggers who are reading this but I am fascinated by the views I get.  I am constantly refreshing to see how many have viewed it since I last looked. The amazingness of the internet is that you can track where people are viewing your blog from.  This week alone I have had viewers from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Poland, America, France and Germany.  It is unbelievable the power of the internet.

 View of Belfast from my balcony

So I wanted to do this post (and the next one on monday) as a review of Belfast as sadly it has been getting some bad press due to a small minority of people.  There has been a massive drive across Northern Ireland lately mainly focusing in Belfast to "back Belfast."  Due to the protests and the fact it was a very cold and long January, people have been mainly staying at home.  Understandable but it has been affecting business across the province.  Also, many visitors have been put off coming to Belfast due to what they are hearing on the news.

To be truthful, it doesn't affect my life if they fly a flag or not over City Hall in Belfast city centre.  But to some people it does and that is fair enough.  My take on it is that when I am 85 or whatever age, lying on my death bed, I won't remember the day that they decided not to fly the flag over city hall.  I will remember my family and friends,  my wedding day, giving birth to my children, their 1st smile and loving my grandchildren.

I am "half a Jaffa," as I like to call myself.  I was brought up half protestant, half catholic.  My mum was a catholic, my dad a protestant.  I went to a very protestant primary school where I wore the red hand of Ulster on my chest via my school jumper.  We said the Lord's prayer each day with the added doxology (that's the bit at the end of the Lord's prayer that protestants say).  When I was eight years old, I did my First Holy Communion and I brought my Communion dress into school for show and tell.  I didn't know that I was different, I wasn't treated different, I wasn't brought up to think there was any difference.  I just wanted to show off a dress that I had worn at the weekend.  I then attended the most catholic school in the area with nuns and everything.  Of course, I had no idea.  I just loved the school, the teachers and it was my choice.  Religion was never mentioned.  That was until the first day and we said the Lord's prayer in Assembly and I continued on at the end.  I had no clue why everyone stopped.  Call me naive, call me silly but honestly, I think my parents did a great job bringing me up not to judge people or know there is a difference between the two.

I have always got on with everyone, none of my friends care what religion I am.  I have attended mass and church.  I know the name of my family's priest and I know the name of my family's minister (I even fancied his son at one point).  Belfast is a beautiful city and I honestly can't see myself living anywhere else.  Sure, I want to go travelling and possibly live in another country for a few years but I will always come back to Northern Ireland to raise my children.  It's my home.

View of Belfast from my balcony last month

So this weekend, my schedule is jammed packed! Well tonight I am travelling to the boyfriend's house which is about half an hour outside Belfast and having a lovely home cooked belated Valentine's day meal.  Tomorrow, Connor, Connor's little brother, Harry and I are going to the Mac, Belfast's brand new arts venue.  They are showing an exhibition on Andy Warhol, the first time any of his work has been showing in Northern Ireland!  Then on Sunday, I am having a girly catch up day with my two best friends, Zoe and Jenny.  We are going to have a day of fun!!! Plan is to hit the Titanic museum which is unbelievable, ice skating, dinner in Victoria Square and who knows where else.  Probably Lisburn Road too for ice cream and a cup of tea.

So tune in Monday for lots of fun photos, reviews and what I was wearing over the weekend!

Lady and his Tramp

"Anyone can be passionate but it takes real lovers to be silly" Rose Franken

Dear spaghetti kiss (of Lady and the tramp movie, it's a metaphor post people, do try to keep up)

You highlight the way a Valentines dinner should be like. The little sigh expelled at the end when they do kiss properly truly is sweet and innocent. It represents everything that love should be. So cheers to you spaghetti kiss. Thank god you exist.  But how did you worm your little sigh into my life?  Lets begin as everything should start according to me as I am a control freak.  Let's begin at the start and go step by step chronological order.

You began as most relationships do, in very special places. Ba ba ba ba baaaaaaaaaa I'm loving it, and you. You played Lady to a T, the shy guy hiding behind his floppy hair, just like when her coy smile peeked from behind the fence in the movie while I was loud, chatty and apparently according to you, had great breastage that night.  Just like Tramp, stuffing my face with mcnuggets. We parted ways, no spaghetti kiss just yet.

Oh we tried, just friends, that was it cause I was picking up my pieces.  Ok honestly, we didn't try that hard, we meant well but please its very hard, you are very distracting.  So my tummy rumbled for you.  Cue the soundtrack and the serenade. The will they, won't they?!? Connected by that string, that piece of spaghetti. Yummy.

 

It was a lovely bella notte when it happened.  My breath smelt like alcohol, yours, well I don't quite remember as I was quite giggly ie. tipsy. Finally the spaghetti kiss! It has everything, romance, humour, impromptu musical performance, meatballs, everything I have ever wanted. I hope you know how sincere I am spaghetti kiss! You make me feel warm and fuzzy and my tummy completely full.

Ps. Happy Valentines day everyone!!! Please ignore my soppy metaphorical post that has nothing to do with fashion at all.  Here's some fashion info though. I am wearing a red dress that has been in my wardrobe for the last 3 years, yes I really said 3 years and I have never worn it!!! This again clearly highlights why I need to do this challenge!!!

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

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...

Challenge Accepted

"What do nudists wear on casual Fridays?" Author Unknown

A year, 365 days, 525949 minutes, 3.15569e7 seconds. I'm not sure what the E means but it sounds long. Like eeeeeeppp, what have I got myself in for?

Fashion Fasting, coined by the legendary Jennifer Anne Curran when she lived with me. Simply, it is defined as the fasting from the purchase of fashion. And I have challenged myself to do this for a year.

Yes, that's right audience, no buying clothes for a year. I can hear the gasps of protests, girls fainting in shock and the main sponsors of my wardrobe, Asos.com crying as their potential profit for 2013 is halved. Why? Why put myself through such a torture you may ask? A month fine, 6 months at a push but a year? I'm getting crazy in my old age.

But am I? At the moment, my wardrobe spans 5 rooms of my apartment, at a last count, I had 17 little black dresses, my boyfriend regularly says to me, "haven't seen that on you before, Is that new? " My answer is always no. At a guesstimation, I have over 300 items of clothing (the correct number will be learnt within the next week) in my wardrobe of which I probably wear 10 items on a continuously loop.

Honestly, I have wanted to write a fashion style blog for a while but general awkwardness & finding my niche has stopped me. This idea for me is a challenge and gives me a purpose & framework on what to write about. Also, looking forward to saving a bit of money!!! I'm not going to lie, it's going to be hard especially with the industries I work in. Judgements on appearance, fashion and looking your best are an everyday occurrence. How can I look my best in a dress people have seen me in 5 times? The anxiety is starting to kick in already.

It is precisely this statement however that I want to tackle while of course, picking up & giving out some style tips along the way. I know I'm going to make some mistakes. There will be days where you may read this & think what was she thinking!! But it's all a learning curve & completely in the name of fashion.

Let the torture begin...