Work hard, play hard

 "Sunday evenings often feel like the weekend is over before it has even begun"  Catherine McCormack          

                                         

Sandwich Jumper

Topshop Leigh Jeans

Office nude fashion trainer

 

 

Playing catch up, so many blog posts, so little time.  Even when I am off from my 9-5 job I am working!  Over the bank holiday weekend, I took part in a Catwalk for Abbeycentre Summer Essentials.  Great catwalk to take part in but you know when you have one of those days when nothing is going well. Your make up is just sitting on the top of your skin, your hair can't be tamed and people are trying to take pictures of you in these fab clothes and they are getting your worse angle every time??? No? Well I was having one of these days. Facepalm. At this point I just want to get to the sun on Saturday and pray that it magically makes everything better again.  Abbey centre is a maze of a shopping centre! We had to do a parade before each catwalk which let us have a nosey walking past all the shops. Primark, Topshop, River Island, Burton, Next, Monsoon. You name it, it has it.  It really is a one stop shop for all your summer esentials.  Head Honcho of the FABB for Northern Ireland and founder of Sugahfix, Katrina Doran was helping to explain summer styles/outfits for all shapes and sizes of lushious ladies inbetween shows.  Fab idea by the team at the Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey, hopefully they will have a winter catwalk as well and I will be on form!

 

Topshop Daisy top

Topshop cream laser cut skirt

 

 



I spent my lovely bank holiday weekend up home in the magically place that is Coleraine rubbing it in my family's face that I was going to Florida for 2 weeks soon. My 9 year old little brother and 11 year little sister were not impressed. Aw well, not my fault I am going!!! Just simply informing them of my day to day life. So obviously I am going away for my summer holidays and yet I can't buy anything but I can borrow things.  I am very organised and as usual, I am already packed so my mum couldn't understand why I didn't want to raid her wardrobe and take all her summer stuff as I must be bored with my wardrobe.  But I am taking away pieces that I haven't been wearing as the weather has been so bad.  Shorts, skirts, string tops, vest, maxi dresses, maxi skirts, you name it if I haven't worn it I am bringing it to America.  Granted I did steal a maxi dress from my mum and black shorts from my other little sister that she hasn't even taken the label off!

 

Cruising into Summer

"Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style." John Fairchild

black boyfriend blazer Benetton

Zara basic white shirt

Asos Tux trousers

Last night I attended the Cruise Summer Style Party and the launch of their new re-vamped store. I originally wanted to wear shorts, a t-shirt & a gorgeous borrowed sequin jacket from Miss Zoe J Watson but as usual the lovely Northern Ireland weather put me off this idea on my walk home. Rain and freezing wind so bare legs was a hell no! So what to wear? 

I came up with this idea as I was searching my wardrobe for something to cover my legs but something other than jeans, these tuxedo trousers again are a piece in wardrobe that I have never worn.   I bought them from Asos in the sale about 3 years ago but never knew what to wear with them. Or maybe I was never brave enough to wear them. So tried the look on and loved it but felt it needed something. 

Black ribbon, Of course!! Standard last minute me, where the hell do I get black ribbon 45mins before an event?? Hunting all over the house, I huffed and I puffed but nothing. So I sat on my bed & moaned in my head that the whole look was ruined. Looked to my left and what do I see but a cruise shopper bag I had used to carry my samples home in the other day. And what are the handles on a cruise bag??? Black ribbon!!! How ironic is that?!?! 

 

Cut the ribbon off & ta-dah!! Pussy bow! 

 

Cruise is a luxury designer store in the Victoria Square complex in Belfast City Centre. With brands like Alexander McQueen, Victoria Beckham, Pinko and Lanvin, it is your one stop shop if you want to buy one of a kind stand out from the crowd pieces. Whether you are a big designer shopper or not, last nights event was a perfect excuse to be blown away by the gorgeous new collections that they have in store. With free cocktails supplied by Smirnoff and Captain Morgan as soon as you walked in the door, I was scared to even move to look around the shop incase I tripped and poured my drink over one of the gorgeous Chloe bags.

 

 Gorgeous new layout for Cruise

 

Thankfully I was able to get a seat for the catwalk show were my stunning housemate Jayne Higgins was modelling the gorgeous clothes. She was even able to wear a gorgeous Temperley London dress that we have take note off as a potential wedding dress for the future. I was with Jayne's boyfriend, Kevin for the show & I did point out the price to him but at the end of the day, she's totally worth it ;) 

Ella wears: Forever Unique Coral Dress £220              Jayne wears: Pinko Long Purple Dress £317

Ella wears:Alexander McQueen Petal Shoulder Dress £2675      Jayne wears (future wedding dress):
                                                                                                       Temperley London dress £2,500


Well done to Judi Graham and all her team at Cruise for last night's event, it was a great turn out and lovely to see everyone on a school night. With a helping hand from CMPR, what do you expect though!  Definitely pop into the shop and have a nosey! They start their Mid season sale today and Judi and her team are always willing to help you out or just have a natter!

www.cruisefashion.co.uk

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! 

 

One of the 7 dwarves

"I can be a bit grumpy.  I am full of horomones and angst." Nicholas Hoult

White Vest top Benetton-similar here

Urban Outfitters Painter Shirt-similar here

Urban Outfitters navy leggings

Topshop belt-similar here 

 

Nice and easy basic day today. String tops.  I have about 40 of them in every single colour, in colours that you probably haven't even seen before but I have them.  My mum used to always buy me a couple as stocking fillers at Christmas, just to have.  They are great, I wear them all year round, under tops, by themselves. You don't need every colour like me but maybe black, white and then a coloured one that you would wear often. All mine are from Benetton and last for years.

 

I'm grumpy. I've noticed that in the last two weeks that I am more stressed, more worrisome, easily irrigated. I don't know why, it's not like life is hard at the minute. Gorgeous boyfriend, great friends, fab job and my blog is going from strength to strength. But still it's that annoying voice inside your head messing with your happiness. I am so focused on everyone else around me that I am getting left behind. So how would I normally fix this??? I would go shopping.

Am I grumpy because I am not shopping? The feeling of spoiling yourself, the feeling of how good a new top or dress makes you feel, I miss that. I haven't spoilt myself in over 3 months. It's not that I think everyone needs to shop to feel good but I haven't treated myself in ages. I booked a holiday for Connor & I for June & the 1 thing I want to do is go buy a bikini but I can't. That one thing isn't hard but everything on top of that is tough.

 Hoody lovingly made by Zoe J Watson

Topshop Basic Vest

Asos Cycling Shorts-similar here

 

So when Jayne suggested to me that we go try Bikram yoga, I thought why not. If anyone knows me personally they know that gyms & Laurina don't mix. I have never been into a gym, don't exercise & I even get out of breath walking up the stairs. So for me to be like Hey, that actually sounds like fun is a biggy. But I thought why not, something different & fun to do on a Tuesday night. So off we went Hill street (just near the merchant) & upstairs to Flow Studio yoga. (Here's there website if you interested Flow Studio We were greeted by funky candles, fluffy pillows & a sign saying please take your shoes off. (I have really smelly feet so was a bit apparasive.)

The teacher, I don't even know her name (found out it is Elizabeth now!) but she was one of these people that you wonder if they get periods. She was so happy & care free, usually I am not a massive fan of these type of people as to me it all seems false & over the top & makes me feel awful cause I'm
a grumpy b**tch. How my opinion changed. The yoga went on for an hour & a half in 32 degree heat & at one point, she can up behind me, massages my shoulders & whispered in my ear "I'm just behind you sweetie." Well I think I fell in love with her at that minute. I loved it, it was £8 but you can buy package deals so I def will be going back! I feel more relaxed (could be the Thai that Jayne & Zara had afterwards)  I am not too sore today, more stiff than anything especially between my shoulders.

All tied up

"I'm not really a fashion designer. I just love clothes. I've never been to design school. I can't sketch. I can't cut patterns and things. I can shorten things. I can make a dress out of a scarf." Kate Moss

Stills Top

Take Two Jeans

Picardi Pia Rossini Scarf

Primark Long layered necklace-similar here

On Monday night I made one of my mad dashes out of work at 5pm to Bangor (well as mad a dash I could do in the traffic!!) I was invited by my lovely friend Tara (who I actually stole my job from when she went to Australia travelling) to view the AW 13 collection and other collections of the gorgeous Northern Irish Fashion and accessories company, Pia Rossini!

I was helping out by taking part in 2 video blogs on how to wear their Resort collection Sarongs and their SS & AW scarfs & a sneaky peak at some SS14 prints. I love scarves, I love how they can completely change a look or an outfit. Usually I just fling it around my neck & away I go but Tara showed me 10 different ways to wear a scarf & 6 ways to wear a sarong.

It was nice to be introduced to new ways on how to wear scarves and I will def be trying the different looks in the future though some were a bit complication for a blond like me! Took me a couple of goes!

My make up was done by the lovely Leigh Crawford! Really simple natural make up, Leigh works in Clinque & has freelanced on hit HBO series The Game of Thrones & dozen of weddings and formals.  I'd like to steal her & fold her up in my make up drawer so that she can just pop out to do my make up when she wants.  I was so embarrassed as well cause I had a second head growing on my cheek and her skin was flawless. The things you notice when people are doing your make up!! Check her out on: Leigh Crawford Make up

With each new styling, I had a new scarf & I probably paid more attention to the actual scarves than I did to what I was doing with it! They were all so nice, colours were gorgeous! The Pia Rossini scarves are available across the UK in department stores, online retailers & independent boutiques. It's not just scarves, it's gloves, wraps, hats, snoods, kaftans, dresses. To be honest, I did get gifted a few gorgeous pieces so keep an eye out for me parading my new bits & pieces! (It's gifted so its ok!!!)

If you want to find out more about Pia Rossini & find out where your nearest stockist is, simply go to the website www.piarossini.com & email your postcode to the lovely ladies in the office. They will let you know your nearest local independent boutique.

Here's some links to check them out!

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

Again, I love how this blog has allowed me to be introduced to another great Northern Irish fashion & accessorise company! Fabulous! Keep an eye out for the videos! Please excuse my accent!!!

At it like Bunnies

"Hedwig didn't return until the end of the Easter holidays. Percy's letter was enclosed in a package of Easter eggs that Mrs. Weasley had sent. Both Harry's and Ron's were the size of dragon eggs, and full of home-made toffee." J.K Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

 

 

I hope everyone had a great Easter!!  I don't know about you but I vegetated over Easter.  I was meant it be heading to Galway over the Easter weekend and I was looking forward to go (sorry cocopops if you read this) but I was really glad when it got cancelled last minute cause I was able to catch up on life! House is spotless, washing up to date, sheets on the bed changed, over cleaned, you name it, I did it. So this means the main looks for Easter was tracksuits, hoodies, dressing gown, pjs, rubber gloves, etc etc Not much to post about so I took a little holiday from le blogging.

 

 

Lets see, last time I blogged was after the Ikea Fashion Swap which went great! Friday I went up home as my cousin & her Fiance were visiting from Dublin. It was basically a family day so chic comfort was what I wanted. Though I was completely out done in the fashion stakes by my 78 year old granny! Went to the grandparents house for a good old 3 course Italian meal where you eat so much you have to be rolled out the door & I find my granny cooking at the stove wearing a neon coral jumper, white shirt and boot cut jeans. Perfectly on trend and she had no idea what I was talking about when I told her! Go Nonna!

 

 

Saturday I was working as one of the models at the Fashion Fun Day in Portadown and Lurgan! It was a great event to promote more shopping in the local towns as it showcased local fashion that was available in the shops at the minute. Great event but by god was it cold!! We had to model the clothing for 10mins at a time and most of it was Summer looks, which meant no sleeves, summer dresses, t-shirts. Bbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrr! You see modelling isn't glamorous at all!!!! I was fine but my wimp of a boyfriend who was working too, got a cold afterwards. Women are completely the superior sex.

 

 

Connor wearing Jack and Jones from S.D Kells in Lurgan

Carys wearing Coast from Houstons in Lurgan

 

 

The next time I wore clothes was on Monday when I went to visit my sick boyfriend at his house. Pussy. Maybe this look was a wee bit too summery for the 1st of April with temperatures as low as 3 degrees but I wanted to embrace Spring!

 

Berska Tan Leather Jacket

Primark Light Denim Shirt-similar here

Topshop White Baxter Jeans

Office Nude Fashion trainers

 

Success! I also got dressed on Tuesday! Connor and I had a lovely lunch on my final day off at Love and Death in the centre of town.  I have been to Love and Death on a few nights out but never eaten in it so I was excited to get some grub in my belly! Bring Baby wipes, they are def needed for the baby back ribs!

Black Topshop Shirt

Topshop Leigh Jeans

Black Snood River Island

Black Leather Jacket Zara 

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!!

Backstage secrets

"I've been known to throw watermelons, backstage, at people who are giving me news I don't want to hear. But I never aim for the head." Tori Amos

Kigu Dragon

 

 

This was me on Saturday morning. What an outfit of the day, I think it is my favourite so far.  Sadly, my Fashion Swap in association with Ikea and Belfast Fashionweek got postponed due to the weather.  (It is now on Thursday the 28th of March but more on that later). So I curled up in my dragon for a while, caught up on blog posts and then meet my mum and little sister in town.  I think my mum feels sorry for me cause I can't buy anything.  I just follow her around as she tries stuff on and comment on things like a good little daughter should.  Though I must be honest, she bought me a shirt.  It was more to keep her happy than anything, every two seconds was can I buy you this? can i buy you this? How about this? NO MUM! I accepted the shirt gracefully though, just to keep her happy of course.  So that's a total of 3 items of clothing bought for me in 2013, 3 items of clothing in 3 months, 1 for each month.  I can't believe I have gone from buying nearly 3 pieces a week to getting given 3 items of clothing as presents in 3 months. Here is the shirt my mum got me, I know another one shirt but this ones has buttons!!

 

 

Zara White Shirt

 

 

After a lovely afternoon with my mum, it was off to the final night of BFW which I was starring in!  Backstage really felt like Belfast Fashionweek, everyone was buzzing and the atmosphere was hectic. Eleven female models, two male models, 9 children models and 9 hair models.  That's a lot of foundation, hair spray, pouting, posing and catwalking. Of course as I was backstage during the show I was unable to take photos of the gorgeous High street looks but here is a collection of backstage photos just for you lucky readers.

 

After the main catwalk show was the Andrew Mulvenna hair show.  Andrew wanted to take the audience on a journey through hair styles of the past, present and future.  There was 9 girls in total, 3 for past, 3 for present and 3 for future.  I was one of the future girls, channelling my inner super hero! My hair was backcombed, sprayed gold and extensions added.  I have never had extensions in my hair, my head felt so heavy!!!  I then had a mask painted on my face to complete the look.  As the hair show was more relaxed, we were able to have more fun with our poses on the catwalk.  I think there is a photo of me going around where I have arm in the air like supergirl about to fly off and save someone in need!

 

So that is it, Belfast Fashionweek over for another season! This has been a season to remember! Well done to all the BFW team, Andrew Mulvenna & his creative team, Paddy McGurgan and his make up team and the CMPR team for another great year!

That was a long tea break

"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company." Author Unknown

 

 

Well that was a lovely tea break! Pretty long to be honest! Sorry about that, I haven't stopped and it hasn't helped that since the city wide power cut on Friday night, my phone has been messing me around! Ggggrrrr! Who is sick of the snow??? I am currently looking at holidays on my other tab bars, curled up in bed with the electric blanket on listening to the wind howling.  (It's Sunday night as I write this.)

 

So a thank you to Stephen Potter for letting me use his images to finish off my review of Friday's Designer and Boutique at Belfast Fashionweek.  I didn't want to forget the last two shops because there clothing is always gorgeous and tops off Friday night with a bang!

 

 

First shop is the gorgeous Blush! When I was reading the running order for Friday night, I just knew that I couldn't wait for this shop to show their Jenny Packham dresses.  Aw thus begins the fantasy wedding that I have going on in my head while wearing a Jenny Packham dress on a beach with no shoes on.

 

 

 

 

The last shop of the night was that of Jourdan on the Lisburn Road.  A favourite of my Agency boss, Mrs Alison Clarke, the dresses from this shop are perfect for all events and occasions. A day at the races, formals, to casual wear, the shop always supplies a shop stopper!

 

 

Again a well done to all who braved the snow on Friday night to come and see the show! It was one not to be missed! 



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!