The sun has got this hat on

"“Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth, "You owe me."" Hafiz

Asos Striped top-similar here

Topshop Brown Hook belt-similar here

Benetton Navy Midi Skirt-similar here

 

 

Aw what a lovely day it is on this Tuesday afternoon!  It looks fantastic as I look out the windows of my office! *sigh* The joys of being an adult and having a full time job.  I really love my outfit today! I never would have thought to put this outfit together before this challenge.  No word of a lie but I have had this skirt 7 years.  I bought it for a christening when I was 18, wore it with a white sleeveless poloneck.  It looked awful.  You know when you were younger but going to a mature event and you try to dress older but you dress like a 50 year librarian.  Yes, that is what I looked like.  I threw out the white sleeveless poloneck but for some reason all these years I kept this skirt.  I haven't worn it till I wore it with my denim shirt. (which was featured on MSN homepage on an article for WIWT). 

  

 

Should have tidied my bed.

 

 

So happy to be wearing this skirt again! So happy to have kept it for this long.  The dates on my diary have to be lying to me.  It can't be the 7th of May today.  Apparently it isn't, which is why I am so surprised that I go to Rotterdam next week! Next week I have asked to take back in the TBU conference.  This is an traveller blogs conference were bloggers are giving the opportunity to interact with each other and help brainstorm ideas for their blogs.  It also allows people to meet face to face rather than all through a computer screen.  You may ask well why are you going Laurina, you are hardly a traveller blogger.  Well I know that but they also have other niche blogs including fashion! So I have been asked to attend next week to discuss my blog and why I think it has been successful so far.  No pressure! Keep an eye out on what I will be wearing, packing and also the beautiful city of Rotterdam! 

 

Time flies when you are having..

"Time is your only enemy, it disappears very quickly and never gives you a second chance.” Stevie Douglas

H&M Black Basic top

Zara Black skinny jeans

Zara brown lace up boots-similar here

Alex and Ani stacking bracelets from Argento

 

 

I feel like I have been looking my computer straight since Monday and have literally just looked up from the screen, hit my phone and it is now Thursday. Not only that but it is now May.  By which I am completely embracing the longer daylight hours, the slight raise in temperature by wearing all black.  Granted I have no sleeves on but if I look back to the 1st outfit post that I put up, I feel like I haven't made an progress.

 

 

Ok, my hair may be cleaner. (only slightly) and no more uggs but thats because of the warmer weather.  So do I have an excuse??? I was trying to achieve a sort of sleek look for today, I had converse in my bag to wear but I have kept the boots on.  We have no customers at the minute and I have simply been gutting the office of anything we don't need so it is nice and tidy for the managing director coming over to visit us in two weeks.  So yeah, not my best look. Really not my best look.

 

 

So this is me at Disneyland Paris in December. Connor and I went to Paris for 5 days over new years eve but now we have decided to take it a step further.  Some of you may have read before that we have booked another holiday to go to Italy at the start of June.  Well that has been scrapped.  Now we are going to florida!!!!! 12 days of the ultimate bucket list ticking off, swimming with dolphins, Harry Potter world, Disney World, Universal studios,  Nasa, Tampa, you name it, we plan to do it.  AHHHHHH I can't wait.  Thank god, I kept these ears!

 

 

But the reason I am telling you this is the fact that I have stupidly booked a trip to America and I can not shop.  Our hotel is right beside the Premium Outlet Mall and I can not buy a thing from it.  Blonde must be my middle name. Or I should have included a rule in the rule book that I could shop when I was not in the UK.  Not only that but I can't buy anything for going.  I don't think that will be a problem, I got my summer wardrobe down from my store and it was a lot more than I expected.  Also, I plan to be naked this whole holiday so I can get an all round tan.  But Connor has already has subtle hits that I would like some Victoria Secret underwear for my birthday in July. Hint Hint Hint if you are reading this Mr Pop.

 

 

Have you been to florida? If so let me know any tips or places we should def go!

Sold!!!

"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." Gilda Radner

Stills Pink T-shirt

Zara Beige Basic trousers

Zara Beige trench coat

 

 

Aw yes, sleepy face on me on these photos, nice! Why a sleepy face you may ask? Well I couldn't sleep last night.  Due to the face, this was the first time since starting my lovely job as a PA that I was taking one of the collections out to Sell all by myself. Was it nerves? Was it anxiousness? (Is that even a word?) Who knows, probably simply excited to spend my Monday out of the office!

 

 

So I was able to take the gorgeous Stills collection to a couple of customers today and sell by myself as my boss is in Scotland selling her other collection. I experienced every single weather element there is on the the drive down but other than that it was an success!! Sold! I found it quite nerve wracking to be honest.  My boss usually sells in her lovely showroom but I drove to the boutique with the collection.  I felt like I had a lot of influence, I mean the shops trust your opinion on style and what will suit their customers.  What you show them and what you advise on what is selling well could be what they decide to pick and have in their shops in 6 months.  Exciting!!

 

 

I hope everyone had as nice a Monday as I did! (Just think as well, next Monday is a bank holiday! Woop!)

 

 

 

Road blocks

"When a woman says, ‘I have nothing to wear!’, what she really means is, ‘There’s nothing here for who I’m supposed to be today.” Caitlin Moran

Zara Blazer-similar here

Zara Spikey Necklace

Urban Outfitters Tie waist trousers-similar here

Topshop white shirt-similar here

 

 

I feel like I haven't had a good old chin wag in ages.  It has just been all go go go for so long now. So hello! What's the craic? Well I still haven't bought anything! Hitting month number 5 next month, haven't been tempted and still loving re styling my wardrobe! (I know, it's sad! I am sure some of you would love me to slip up! but I haven't!) But.....there is always a but....I am hitting a few road blocks this month.

 

 

1)Yoga

 

Now some of you may have read that I have recently discovered Bikram yoga at Flow Studios Belfast. Namste Bitches.  I love it, it is the first exercise I have done since I was sixteen (sex don't count). I look forward to it when I know I am going which hasn't happened with anything to do with getting out of breath in ages.  It is really hard but Jayne, my lovely housemate & I are going to be able to wrap our legs around our heads soon! But, I literally don't have anything to wear.  Don't laugh I know it isn't a fashion show but exercise gear is the one thing my wardrobe is not coming down with.  Ok, yeah I have trackies but have you ever tried bikram yoga? It is in 35 degree heat so minimum clothing is recommended.  So I have one pair of short leggings that I have been wearing and then vest tops over an over again.  Now I do wash my clothes but when it is just me & only my clothes going into my wash, there isn't really a lot so maybe 1 wash every 2 weeks. But I have been doing yoga twice a week for the last 3 weeks. This means the leggings go into the laundry bin on tuesday but then get pulled out again on Saturday morning to be worn again then back into the bin for the wash on a sunday. Minging I know but anything else I have is just too warm and I can't buy anything. So what is a girl to do??? I would love to go and buy some bits and pieces for the class like a nice sports bra or a vest. H&M have some lovely stuff & be like bam! Sport person of the year! But I can't, it is quite annoying.

 

2)Holiday

 

It's that time of year again, summer holidays! Oh yeah! Connor and I are going to Italy on a sort of tour of the tuscany hills.  We are doing Rome, Florence, Pisa, Siena, all around that sort of direction. It is an activity and adventure holiday rather than a relaxing holiday. If you meet Connor, you would understand. Have you ever seen the movie UP! by Disney? and the hyper dog, I think his name is Dug. Well that is my boyfriend. While the thought of holing ourselves up in a tent or a hotel for 10 days and not moving or doing anything sounds like bliss to me, it would be like locking Dug in a bottomless pit with nothing to do to get his hyperness out. Granted this is something I have always wanted to do as I am quarter Italian. (Though I am a crap Italian, I hate cheese so no pizzas, Parmesan or anything like that, yuck) I have been to Italy most summers from when I was younger but we go and we don't move from the village where my family are from cause we are lazy. I am excited, really just to get away with Connor. So yes, Italian tour it is! But what clothes do I wear?!? I am going to have to nosey through my wardrobe and see what I have because at the moment I am definitely not wearing summer clothes.  I don't even know if I have durable flipflops for sightseeing!! Also, no time for sunbathing so I want to get as much tan as I can on the move but do I have enough skimpy, slutty clothes for this??? This is my road block.  

 

 

 

Buck wild

"Being a sex symbol is a heavy load to carry especially if one is tired, hurt and bewildered." Marylin Monroe

Peach Knit Miss Selfridge-similar here

Orange Vest top Stills

Beige Basic trouser Zara

 

 

It has taken me a day or two to recover from the weekend.  Even though I got 9 hours of sleep on Sunday night, it is only now on Tuesday that I am starting to feel normal again.  I am only 24! nearly 25 but at a house party which was in my own house on Saturday night, I sneaked off at half 12 to go to bed.  Granted we started at 6pm which is early! But still, I just can't hack it anymore! Especially when you are working the next day.

 

This is Jaynes and my faces at the fact we agreed to work on the sunday after her birthday party. What silly girls we are.  Aw well, it wasn't bad at all once we got a cup of tea into us.  On sunday, I was lucky enough to get called in last minute to take part in the catwalk for Fashion Afternoon tea at Newry Style City.  AN event that I actually was going to go to but instead got paid to take part in! Bonus! Sabino Hairdressing created an almost teapot shaped bun style in my hair, it was amazing! I amazes me that I can barely brush my hair but some people can create such different styles with my hair.  Just shows how crap I am!  The make up was down by the lovely girls from the Canal Court Spa.  It was a simple smokey eye, they wanted to keep it quite basically as they knew our clothes would be very bright and colourful.





Me: Yellow Floral dress @ Berling £189

Jayne: Multi Coloured Floral Dress @ Berling £145

Georgina: Nude Floral Dress @ Berling £75

Berling Website

 

Newry Style City is a week long event that helps to promote and showcase the local boutiques, shops and shopping centres that Newry has to offer.  The event we were working at was the Afternoon tea in the Canal Court.  The lucky ladies at the event were graced with sandwichs, cakes, buns, tea and a beautiful serenade by a piano player as we walked around the tables. Each model had 10 different looks from shops like Silk, Berling, Elite Hats and Jack Murphy Jewellers.

 

Here is my favourite photo from the day! Gorgeous hat from Elite hats, jewellery from Jack Murray Jewellers. Kindly stolen from the lovely Kelly McAllister, photographer on the day for Sugahfix.com. Amazing image!

 

For All info on Kelly, check her out here: Kelly McAllister Photography

 

So yes, Sunday saw me being all civialised and professional while rewind back to saturday night and it was a different story.  My lovely housemate Jayne had a little gathering for her 21st birthday of her nearest and dearest.  It was a fancy dress themed where we had to dress up as what we wanted to be when we grew up.  So I was sporty spice! Zigga zigga ah! Girl Power! Still actually can't get the tattoos that I painted on off my arms. Below are some photos from the night, jusy so you can have a nosey and a laugh at my expense. Pouting and a peace sign.  So nineteen nineties!

Rock Star verus Pop star....who is cooler???

 



 

Cinderella, aka the birthday girl & Sporty spice

 

Sporty Spice, No fancy dress as going to work Spice, Scuba Spice

Maybe Tied it too tight..

 

 

Never did I ever think I would be explaining to people how to wear a scarf but here you go! The wonders of writing a Fashion blog! My accent is awful, Coleraine clutchy bunkie mixed with a Belfast thang. Fantastic! Wish I had smiled more. Aw well.

 

This is the first video I did with the lovely people from Pia Rossini showing five scarves from their current SS13 collection and five scarves from the AW13 collection - all available to order online. The video suggests 10 ways on how the customers can merchandise and different ways to wear their Pia Rossini scarf.

 

Some of them I had never heard off but it is nice to try something different! Was great fun making the video, can't wait to see the next video! Me in a bikini! Oh the joys

 

Www.piarossini.com
Facebook: Pia Rossini
Twitter: @PiaRossiniLtd
Pinterest: Pia Rossini
YouTube: PiaRossini

 

 



Indecisive

"I used to be indecisive but now I am not quite sure." Tommy Cooper

Primark Cardigan-similar here

Topshop Peplum top

Replay Jeans

Alex and Ani bracelets

 

 

Spring has truely sprung! Thank god! It is nice to see people smiling because the sun is peeking out from behind the clouds.  Don't get me wrong, it is still baltic but at least there is no more snow!!! I got dressed in the dark today, not my best outfit but Connor was still fast asleep as I was getting ready and I was trying to be extra quiet to let him sleep & I didn't want to turn on the light so I just grabbed, pulled on and off to work.  I don't know about you guys but I bought 3 colours in these tops when they came out in Topshop last year. So simple but great if you don't know what to wear & want to look smart!

 

I am making a video with Pia Rossini (check them out, Pia Rossini ) tonight on 10 different ways to wear scarves for the launch off their new public website so looking forward to getting a sneak peek of what they have coming up for Summer 2013 and Autumn/Winter 2013.  Don't worry I will keep you fully informed ;)

 

So I was up home at the weekend, aka I was up in Portstewart. It was a gorgeous weekend, just for all of you who have never visited Portstewart or even Northern Ireland. Here is a little photo just to show you how gorgeous it was on Sunday morning at 11am & even though I was grumpy as f**k (woke up but my boyfriend licking my face, hitting me with a pillow & miaowing like a cat. Too hyper for 9am on a sunday.)

 

 

B-e-a-utiful! One of the great things about being up home is I can ask my mum her thoughts.  All girls are the same, we need the reasurrance that we look ok or if we are doing it right. (For example, the famous question that all men fear "Does my bum look big in this?") So, this is what I wore on saturday, couldn't decide what trainer went best- red or white? Mum and my little sister got asked, mum went with red & carla went with white so both of their opinions was useless. But it is funny the way that everyone needs reassurance that they look ok.  Even boys! That was just my phisophical obversation for this weekend.  It has taken Connor and I over a week to truly decide where we want to go on holiday, don't know how many times we have swapped and changed our minds.  My new goal is to be more decisive, the pharse "I want that one" comes to mind.

Asos Army Jumper

Zara faux leather trousers

White converse

River Island Red high tops

 

 

I went for the red if you are interested.  Thought they added a bit of colour to the outfit though both need a good clean. Standard. When I was up home, my mum did a massive clear out of her wardrobe so I have new clothes!!! I went through her scraps and was able to pick out bits and piece of things she didn't want.  It's not cheating! I still haven't handed my debit card over to physical buy any clothes.  Quite proud of this fact as it is April now. Wow, it's april! How did that happen?!?!?

 

 

 

 

Copy Cat

"Switch my hair, they gon' copy her. Switch my gear, they gon' copy her. Look at how they stare, just a copier. Roger that. Did you copy that? Copycat." Nicki Minaj

Dress/top Urban Outfitters-similar here

River Island Khaki snood

Alex and Ani L bracelet & key to heart bracelet

They say that imitation is the first form of flattery, well I have an album devoted to that on my phone. Instead of buying magazine & going oh I want to buy that, I have photos on my phone & Ipad so I can go Oh I have something similar in my wardrobe, let me try that.  It is copying but for someone who wasn't very good at styling outfits, it's a stepping stone in the learning process.  I have noticed that I am getting better at thinking outside the box, trying looks that I never would have before & they have worked brilliantly.  

This is what I wore yesterday. A shirt, I haven't worn in about a century.  I sorta went through a phrase of buying these maternity style/painter style shirts for a while, I don't know why but I have a few. I used to wear them with leggings, don't know why I haven't worn that outfit in a while may try it soon.  Any who. It is a shirt but I wore it as a dress. I am not a slut, ( well debatable lol JOKES) I wore a black body con skirt underneath it, you cant quite see it but it is there! I copycated this outfit. Oh yeah, I am not afraid to admit it. 

The girl I copied it from it from is the gorgeous Ashley Madekwe. (That is the fit british girl from Revenge) Not only is she stunning, not only does she work on a hit tv show & gets to wear amazing clothes but she also does one of my favourite fashion blogs called Ring my bell 

The blog is great, she doesn't blog that often but when she does, I love it every time.  She wears normal people clothes like Topshop & Forever 21.  She also wears things twice so it is completely relatable to real life instead of so far out in the celebrity unattainable atmosphere. 

So this is the look I copied but then added the northern ireland twist to it aka its not LA so thus still cold & have to wear tights. I also wore a lovely snood that I got as a Christmas from my ex housemate Ciara who is now enjoying co-inhabitatint life with her ginger lover. So I wear this in memory of her. 

Tight one

"I wear women's leggings underneath my clothing with no underwear" Dennis Rodman

Asos Parka Jacket

Abercrombie & Fitch Scarf - Similar here

Primark Nude Knit - similar here

Zara White Shirt

Zara Navy Leggings

 

 

I have transported you back in time with my magic wand I got from the Harry Potter Studios.  This was what I wore yesterday.  Actually really loved this look when I put it together.  So as I have been doing for the last two weeks, Wednesday is now knowing as back to basics day not hump day.  Well I had a slightly hump day as in I was exhausted. Couldn't even lift my arm off the sofa to type so let's pretend today is still Wednesday. The basic I am going to blog ablout today on this fine Wednesday day is Leggings.

 

Let's get a debate going, do you think leggings are slowly going out of fashion? With the increasing number of crops tops and shorter tops in the shops this season does this mean that leggings shouldn't be worn?  Meh, I don't think so.  The rule of wearing leggings only with long tops I think really depends on the wearer.  The trend of disco pants and high waisted tight tight tight legging/trousers with a crop top (worn by a lot of the little kids that hang around Belfast city centre) is completely on trend as it screams 90's fashion.  I think for me at least leggings will always be basics because they are so simple and easy to wear.

 

My advice, get a good pair of thick leggings.  Not any of these bend over to pick something up and the leggings become see through so we can see your lovely bum bum leggings.  But 1 pair of thick high quality leggings will do you across your whole wardrobe.  These leggings that I am wearing are from Zara and available in all colours.  I have them in black as well.  I love them so much that I am wearing them today again. Boom, I have now transported you into the future/present day/ Thursday.

 

Benetton Vnecked top-Similar here

Brown High heeled boots River Island-Similar here

Alex and Ani Jewellery

 

 

It has got to be bad when you are blogging about your outfit and you can't remember where you actually got this top and then realise that you stole it from your mum years ago and still haven't given it back.  I think it is now classified as mine as I think I have had it for 7 years now, sorry mum!

 

Yesterday I had a lunchtime meeting with the lovely people from Alex and Ani, an American Jewellery company that have only launched over here in late 2012.  Each bracelet has it's own different meaning so that people can pick bracelets to suit their own personality and beliefs.  I love the indivuality of the bracelets and they even brought me some of my own to have! Wearing them today and I am jingle jangling everywhere. I can't wait to work with this company more in the future! They are great present ideas and are sold in all 12 argento stores across Northern Ireland so definately keep your eye out for them. That's something else that I love about doing this blog, being introduced to new brands!  Before I started this challenge I was stuck in a habit of going to the same shops over and over again as you can prob tell from my outfits, Zara, Asos, Topshop and that is it.  While now my eyes have been opened to different makes and brands that I never would have known about and I definately would buy! Bring on 2014!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

1 skirt, endless possibilities

"I will be a president that wears a skirt, but I will wear the pants" Josefina Vazquez Mota

H&M Denim Shirt

Asos Jumper

Black Skater Skirt Topshop

 

 

It is Wednesday, no longer known as hump day but rather back to basics day.  To me this whole outfit is a great foundation to have in your wardrobe.  Oh the possibilites with a denim shirt and a grey jumper.  I wear this denim shirt all the time and the grey jumper is great especially when there is no heat in work (gas leak, oh the joys.)  But today, I am going to focuse on the skirt.  Black skater skirt from topshop, £16, what a buy.  I love it, it's so simple but goes with so many things.  I am so glad I bought it (Before Christmas!!!!).  I know the skater style suits me, I actually think it suits everyone.  I have never seen it look bad on anyone from tall, petite, curvy to skinny.  I have this skirt in grey too! Though I am finding it harder to piece the grey skirt with other items from my wardrobe so I would say, start with black and go from there.

 

 

 

Here is the skirt in a completely different style. I wore the skirt going out one tonight (ignore the state of my room, It is always like this before I go out!) This just shows you that this skirt is great to have for casual to fancy, work to a party, it works.  And for such a staple piece of clothing that you can wear so many times for £16 that isn't bad at all!  The only problem now is what colour you want?!?!

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!!!

You buy rose?

"The dress must not hang on the body but follow its lines.  It must accompany its wearer and when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her.  ~Madeleine Vionnet"

Stills White Blouse 

Topsjop Khaki Skinny jeans 

River Island Brown lace wedges 

Zara Tweed Blazer 

I know that on this lovely Monday, the 1st Monday of March, you all have a burning question that you need answered. It has been ticking over in your brain all weekend. Your spouses, partners, dogs, friends, aliens, everyone who you hung out with this weekend has wondered why you have been spaced all weekend. You literally been pondering the answer to this question all weekend. No it's not the question of why we are here but actually did Laurina wear the red or the yellow dress to her cousin's engagement party on Saturday night?!?

My Little Sister & I. She is wearing a gorgeous new Topshop Dress

I wore red! Boom! You can all rest your weary heads now. So yes, just a quick recap. I attended my cousin's engagement party at the weekend and wasn't quite sure what to wear as I have never been to an engagement party. I had a couple of options. Ok, more than a couple but after a quick fashion show to my aunts, cousin, little sister and mother (what lucky ducks!) I decided to go with the lovely dress in the above photo.

I have a gorgeous yellow dress that I have only worn once last August that I really wanted to wear but I felt it was a bit over the top for the party. The party was in a lovely pub in Dublin called The Bath House and I don't know if I would have got away with rocking up in a yellow skin tight low cut mustard coloured dress. Aw well, just have to keep it for another event! It was great to catch up with all my family and they got to meet my Beau, Connor. Best part of the night for me was finding that they had blankets at the front door for the beer garden! Just added to the style of my outfit I think.

So saturday night was a fashion success while yesterday was a fashion fail as I never even got out of my pjs even when I drove back up to Belfast last night. (Thank god, I didn't get stopped!) Just was one of those days when you can't be arsed even putting on a bra. I actually didn't even realised till half 8 last night, I still had my nipple petals on. So sexy...Nat. All in all a lovely weekend :)

And guess what? What a way to make you smile on a Monday morning when you wake up and check your emails! I learnt this morning that I got voted British Style Blogger of the month! Thank you to everyone who has viewed the blog in the last two months!

Keep up to date with all my going ons by hitting follow on the little tool bar on the right or just put in your email address & you will get a lovely email saying that Laurina has been writing her rambling thoughts again :)