Torturing myself

"Shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist" Unknown

 

Zara Red Blouse-similar here

Zara Skinny grey trousers-similar here

Topshop Cord necklace

 

It must be really bad that into my 9th month of not shopping & I am still finding clothes in my wardrobe that I haven't worn this year. These trousers for example.  Completely forgot I had them and they are so perfect for work.  They are a nice smart trouser but still quite funky.  They are a jodphur style & would look so nice with a flat black knee high leather boot for Winter.  If only I had a pair.

 

Life is non stop at the minute.  I love when I am busy but this is taking the biscuit. I just seem to have something on every single night.  Last Thursday night I was invited to Mexx Party night in their flagship store in Belfast.  They had models showcasing the latest autumn hair and make-up looks from YSL and Hedonist Hair. The lovely Mexx team which included the fab Alison Paul chatted to us about the must-have pieces for the season with prosecco being served throughout the night.  I was a bore though as I had a sprite.

 

It is always torture going to these events for me.  Because they are showing you absolutely gorgeous pieces of new season stock.  I completely fell in love with a dress that one of the staff was wearing. It just looks like such a nice party dress especially coming up to Xmas, it would be lovely just to have for those dinner dates or nights out.

 

 

I am currently holding viewings for a room in my flat and one of the girls who came over last night asked what I did & I explained my job & then went on to explain about the blog.  She actually gasped & put her hands over her mouth when I said I wasn't shopping for a year.  Yes, would you like to move into a house with a crazy person who will prob go through your wardrobe and steal things the minute you move in.  The great thing about the blog is that it has introduced me to brands such as Mexx.  In a year my style has changed dramatically and it going to be fun to explore it when I am able to shop again.  I love the playful prints & the cute mini skirts that Mexx have in store at the minute.  With everything laid out in easy to find sections of the store; one side casual, one side metro style, I will definitely be standing on the doors of Mexx Belfast on the 1st of January.

Bananas in Pajamas

“Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet and everyone you meet will be genuinely interested in you”   Rasheed Ogynlaru

Stills Stiped tshirt

Topshop Cord necklace

Stills silk maxi skirt

 

Once upon a time, there were 17 girls

beauty & fashion bloggers dolled up in their pearls

Off to Malone Lodge Hotel they went

Giggles, cocktails and many a tweet was sent.

 

But why were they there?

kindly supplied by the fab Carla and Anna, it was a night on the tear!

With a refurbishment to the Malone suite

& expansion of their restaurant 'The Knife & Fork", we were in for a treat.



 

 

 Welcomed with cocktails into a beautiful lobby

I met the FABB girls, were blogging is much more than a hobby.

Slightly nervous to meet everyone,

but no need to worry, the girls were great fun!

 

We were graced with a fab tour of the hotel,

gorgeous rooms, 240 seater conference room, this place really does excel!

With fabulous Audrey Hepburn posters,

I was scared to set anything down without a coaster!

 

 

 

 

Dinner was served & what a meal it was!

Laugther, speeches over wine, what a buzz!

Treated like queens of the world,

I walked on clouds, white and fluffy & swirled.

Speaking of white and fluffy,

Check out this giant bed, thank god I hadn't dressed scruffy!

After dinner, we were treated to a facial cleanse

Skin medi Spa are my new best friend!

 

The gossip continued into the wee hours,

the girls raved about everything including the showers!

Sadly I missed the breakfast,

Though I am thankful I was just asked.



 

 

How do you make your blog post stand out?

I did try to rhyme throughout!

But I think I did crap,

But what a night, thanks Malone Lodge, it went off without a flap!

 Ps If you didn't get it as my poetry is pretty shit, this post was about the Northern Irish bloggers night out to Malone Lodge which has recently had a fab refurb done.  It was a great time, the staff were amazing all wearing their pjs & so were some of the bloggers that were staying over.  I had to work early the next morning so I didn't get to stay over, raging!!!! It was great to meet everyone for the 1st time & put names to faces.  The Malone Lodges were super hosts. A special thank you to Anna from INC PR & Carla the manager of Malone Lodge.  Fab hosts!!!  Also to Skin Medi Spa for my fab cleanse & tone using Elemis products. 

 

For more info on Malone Lodge Hotel, for a great stay in Belfast, checkout their website

http://www.malonelodgehotelbelfast.com/

 

 

 

Skin Deep

“Be patient. Your skin took a while to deteriorate. Give it some time to reflect a calmer inner state. As one of my friends states on his Facebook profile: "The true Losers in Life, are not those who Try and Fail, but those who Fail to Try.”   Jess C. Scott

Sandwich white blouse

Zara beige skinny trousers

 

I ain' a beauty blogger.  I can't remember the last time I bought any sort of make up apart from cover for my skin.  All my eyeshadows, lip glosses, nail polish have either been gifts or been stolen from the other females in my family.  Only recently after holidays have I got into a routine of putting on a body moisturiser.  But when I posted a facebook status at the end of June seeking help about my skin, I had an overwhelming response.  It seemed that everyone had problems with their skin.  People who I hadn't spoken to in years were giving me advice on what they used or tips on what to do.

I had gotten really down about my skin to be honest.  I have the attitude hey! they are only spots, you could have a lot worse but after coming back from holidays and seeing that my skin hadn't cleared up in the sun, it had simply gotten worse I was determined to get my ass in gear and do something about it.  I knew it wasn't my hormones, or my pill or my diet.  I had great skin all of my life, even as a teenager but just something set it off when I hit 24. Maybe it was the fact I started to date a guy with the mental attitude of a teenager or maybe I had finally hit puberty (no sign of my boobs yet) or maybe it was karma, I have been so happy with the rest of my life & situation that something bad had to happen to make sure there was a balance.

This is not something any girl wants to do, show the world her face without any slap on.  Really up close photos of her face.  Where you can see every crevices, blackhead, pore, puffy eyes. But here you go. This was my skin on the 23rd of June 2013.

 

This was the day that I had had enough.  I put up my FB status asking for opinions on products, dermatologists in Northern Ireland, 70 people replied to that status though private messages, comments, texts messages.  You can see how inflamed my face is, how spotty I am on my forehead, across my cheeks, my chin.  How discoloured my face is.  Half red, half white. Go on, zoom in. Actually I don't know if the photo does it justice. I am standing facing the natural light so it was more red.

 

Then I had a text from an angel.  Mr Paddy McGourgan. I had been booked to model at his make up academy on the Sunday the 30th of June and I thought he had seen me walking around town and was texting to be like oh God, there is only so much photoshop can do! But no, he had text to say that he had seen my FB status & he had got this new brand into his make up shop on Royal Avenue & he wanted me to try it.

 

Now I was a bit apprehensive. I had tried every product over the last year.  Dermalogica, sent me in a rash and completely dried my skin out.  Eve lom didn't get rid of the big whiteheads I was getting.  I tried natural products, toners, oils, good old plain soaps and water, facials.  You name it, I had tried it. But I thought why not.  Give myself to the end of the summer and if that didn't work or improve my skin, I would then go to see a dermatologists.

 

Now enters Mario Badescu.  What a legend.

 

When I went to Paddy's to model at his Make up academy, he gave me samples of the Mario Badescu range.  The Acne Facial cleanser and the Gylcolic Foaming Cleanser, I was to alternate each night. And then he gave me the oil free moisturiser as I have oily skin to begin with.  This is the progress over 2 months,  I took a photo every 2 weeks to just show how my skin has calmed down.  I am so happy.  The change in my skin is unbelievable.  I am less red across my cheeks and forehead.  My spots have nearly all gone.  Granted I have a few stubborn blackheads but I am thinking of getting microdermabrasion to get rid of those.  Before that I would have been too scared incase it made my skin worse. My skin doesn't look as tired or as inflamed or dull.  I am back to hardly wearing any make up.  All I am using at the moment is the Loreal CC cream.

 

 

 

This is me today.  Same light, same time as the first photo was taken.  Except that it is 2 months later and I have lovely skin. The one above is fresh faced, no make up & the one below is with my CC cream on.  I took that photo cause I want to show you that I am not that scary! Ignore my sleepy puffy eyes, they usually go by afternoon! I can't recommend the Mario Badescu range enough, I love it.  It isn't that expensive either and there are hundreds of products to suit your skin needs.

 

If you would like to try the range, check out the website Mario Badescu to read reviews or pop into Paddy McGurgan's Make up Pro Store & the lovely peeps in there will help you get the right products to suit your skin.

 

Paddy McGurgan Make up Pro Store



Falling apart

"Broken! Busted! Everybody has something to repair.  Before buying new, let mightly putty fix it for you!" Billy Mays

Stills silk navy tshirt

Topshop fine striped pencil skirt-similar here

When I started this challenge I didn't really take into the account the wear and tear my clothes would be going through.  I am washing the same things repeatedly, wearing the same things over and over again though I do try to wear new things on days that I know I will be writing a blog post as I just think it would get boring otherwise.  But not only are my shoes feeling the wear and tear of my smelly feet but today I have realised I have a hole in this lovely skirt. Right over the seam on my bum.  Thankfully I am wearing a long cardigan with this look but it is so nice with out the cardigan that I am raging I have to wear the cardigan all day. My boss is properly wondering who did she hire??? Too short skirts, holes in skirts, a pongy smell coming off her shoes.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had organised a girly family photoshoot with my mum and little sister as a Christmas gift/birthday present to my mum. (I know, a little late organising it but I was purposely waiting for the good weather!) I just wanted to share some of the photos and give a little shout out to Miss Kelly McAllister, amazing photographer! She did exactly what I asked for and more! I wanted the photos to be fun and reflect our personalities but keeping them as natural as possible. I love them!  There actually isn't a bad photo of any of us in the album she sent me which says a lot for her skills!!! Check out her website: Kelly McAllister

Ps: check out my new badge!! I'm nominated for best newcomer in the Irish Blog Awards! Woop!! Promise if I get to come to the award ceremony that I won't wear any smelly shoes or holely skirts. 

Skirts Rule, Boys drool

"I think a lot of women have too many mini skirts in their closet" Michael Kors

Pull and Bear Tartan Shirt

Topshop Black Skater skirt

 

It has come to my attention that this summer I have hardly worn any trousers. I have basically survived in skirts.  I am actually not looking forward to getting back to trousers soon. Though on the days where there has been alot of wind, it hasn't been that fun to wear a skirt.

 

So back to the main reason for the blog, to catalogued my outfits each day, styling new outfits & trends out of my old wardrobe.  Today I put on this tartan shirt as I had seen the new Mango Fall lookbook and it included a leather skirt and a tartan shirt which I loved.  Though for work my short leather skirt wouldn't really work so wearing a slightly longer skater skirt.  Of course, my daily ritual of having a nosey at Asos relived that tartan shirts are totally in again. I'm with it and I didn't even though. Too cool for school.

 

Even though I haven't been writing that much lately, I am still posting to instagram every day! Check it out and follow peeps!

Instagram

 

Also, if you want easy access to all of my outfits, follow the link on the homepage entitled "My Outfits"

That will bring you to my pinterest page dedicated to all the outfits I have worn over the last 7 months.  Easy for ideas & trends that I have worn & you have liked :)





 

 

 

Wardrobe diving

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

 

 

Zara Khaki Shoulder padded top

Zara Black skirt with leather strip

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

The 3 S's

"Either you run the day or the day runs you." Jim Rohn

Zara denim shirt

Urban Outfitters Flower skater skirt-similar here

Zara Spike Necklace-similar here

 

 

Sluggish, sleepy and spent are words I would use to describe myself at the minute.  Well today is the first day within the last week were I have woke up with a smile on my face or at least not had to force my eyes open with sellotape.  Could it still be jet lag? My body clock up to sunday night was sending me to sleep at half 2/3 in the morning. We are in our quiet time at work as well.  I always think when you are doing a lot of things, time passes quicker and it doesn't help your motivational levels when you are sitting at your desk staring at the wall.

 

I am feeling completely uninspired by my wardrobe as well. I am back in that runt where I was throwing on me whatever I wore the day before. Until last night, my wardrobe was residing on the floor of my room.  I still haven't done a wash from before Florida so that has piled up in a corner in my room.  (I do have a laundry bin in my room but it is completely fill.) The sun today though has helped to ease my mood & a impromptu visit from my boyfriend.  Glad to say, I have never worn this skirt before! It is an absolute joke that after 6 months of this challenge I still have pieces in my wardrobe I haven't worn.

 

So July will be the month of stuff I haven't worn.  Each day I will try to wear a piece I haven't worn yet.  I mean if I haven't worn it at this stage, do I really want it in my wardrobe??? So at the end of each blog post, I try to decide to KEEP or BIN (slash give to a charity shop).  Please comment to have your say as well!!!!