Drum Roll..

"Everyday is a fashion show and the world is your runaway."

Oasis Striped dress- similar here

 

 

It's here! Oh yes peeps, it's Belfast Fashionweek this week! Not a great start to the next few days but I slept in this morning.  Damn you Kevin Bacon and your amazing twisted TV show! (The Following, is anyone else watching it?!? It's amazing!) Hence why my hair is up as I meant to wash it but didn't have time. Just something else to do when I make my mad dash home then wash, change, decide on what to wear and then off to Fashionweek!

 

To me, Fashionweek will always have a big part of my heart. As a model starting out in Northern Ireland many years ago (who is definately not catwalk skyscaper tall), it was always the unattainable wishful thinking that one day I wanted to grace the sparkly fashionweek catwalk and in my opinion if you did then, you had definately made it! Well in Northern Ireland at least! Now I am on my fourth season of gracing the catwalk, this time last year it was my bake on billboards across Belfast as the Face of Fashionweek and just to add a romantic element, I meet my now boyfriend Connor for the first time backstage last year at the High Street night as he was modelling as well.  (Granted I thought who is this twat with a cap on backwards and this white stringy top were you could practically see his nipples and it is always freezing backstage & I was wrapped up in a blanket/slash cardigan but it all worked out in the end!)

 

 

Me and my campaign for Belfast Fashionweek S/S12

 

So tonight is George at Asda! I was surprised when I first heard the line up that George at Asda were taking the catwalk for a full night but I am really looking forward to it! I always see things in magazines from George and think wow I love that so I will be interested to see how the BFW team style it.  George at Asda have shown before at Fashionweek as part of the High Street night. I wore a dress from their collection,  I think it was Circa A/W 2011 but it was one of the images that was used in all the Press.  It looked completely chic and designer! I remember everyone asking me where it was from and they were shocked by my reply. Just goes to show you!

The chic dress from George at Asda A/W 2011.

 

 

So what is to expect from tonight? Well all the models have had gorgeous Vita Liberata tans done, (my lovely housemate Jayne is strutting her stuff on the catwalk every night and she was glowing last night), my gorgeous boyfriend Connor is on the catwalk tonight as well, probably half naked (I will be posting a lot of photos. He's mine ladies but I am happy to share images for a perve.) I called into the venue there on my lunch to leave in a few bits & pieces for the goodies bags and the clothes look amazing! Really bright colours, fitting in with the neon trend perfectly! So all that needs to be done is to decide what the heck to wear to it????

Dead Space

 

"Storage is important, you need storage for like, to store things." Anthea Turner

 

The House Rules in my hall. Break them and you have to leave.

 

 

I learnt this phase last night. Apparently, according to the gods that are Ikea, I have a lot of dead space in my bedroom! *gasp* horror* Really? Me? Surely not!! I would say I am a organised person, detailed to do lists are a great friend of me. So of course, my bedroom is pretty tidy too. Well maybe not tidy (you have seen it in the background of my photos. Not a massive fan of making my bed) but everything has a place even if that place is the floor.

So when Ikea said they would come and "make room for my life" i.e Ikea think I've too much clothes and want to help tidy my wardrobe so I know where everything is, I was intrigued. I come across things in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in ages and don't even remember I have so the idea of everything having a place easily excited me. My house is like an Ikea showroom, felt kinda embarrassed that everything from my front door mat, picture frames, fake flowers and all kitchen utilitises are from Ikea.  You could even call me an Ikea stalker, I was there the day it first opened (they gave me free chips) and my relationship with them began.  It was the lovely Jane who organises all Ikea Belfast's PR who read my blog and contacted me.  Thank you lovely Jane.  So again, mad dash after work home.  (I seem to be mad dashing everywhere at the minute) to welcome Ikea with open arms into The Princess Palace. I hoovered mum, don't worry!

 

So here are the before photos of my wardrobe.  My wardrobe is mainly all built in, as my flat is only for hobbits due to the slanted ceilings. My 6ft 2in boyfriend does not appreciate having to walk around my room with his head bent at a 45 degree angle so he doesn't bang his head.  My advice is to wear a helmet. He bangs his head all the time off stuff, it's quite amusing.  So I wondered what Ikea could really help me with? I love all their furniture, especially their Pax wardrobes and I am currently saving for a armchair for my bedroom.  My intrigued levels rose when they came in with bags and bags of boxes.

It is called secondary storage.  Everything has a place, every box has a name.  There's my knicker box, knitted scarf box, cotton scarf box, shoe boxes, bracelet box.  The boxes sooth my OCD for everything to have a place.  My words to Connor after Ikea were, "Can I go play?"  Now it took me a while, perfectionist here but my wardrobe is now sorted.  Everything is spread out, I know where everything is; no more half folding stuff and trying to push close the drawer because there is actually space for my clothes to lay nicely in my drawers!  Here are some photos as a sneak peek of what Ikea did.  (They did video the transformation, my skills are with writing not speaking it would seem.)

So lovely and tidy. *sigh* Can't wait to go home and finish playing with the boxes.  They brought me some to organise all my beauty/make up with. So excited.  Thank you Ikea, let's be friends forever.

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! :)

 

Back to basics

"This shirt is dry clean only, which means...it is dirty." Mitch Hedburg

Topshop White Blouse

Topshop Navy Leigh Skinny jeans

 

 

God bless the white shirt!  I was asked by the lovely rachel if I could do a post on the main basics in my wardrobe.  So from now on for the next few weeks, Wednesday will no longer be called hump day but instead, Back to basics day.  So the first basic that everyone should have in their wardrobe is a white shirt.  Now I am going to write about my style and shape but I would recommend to everyone to find one that suits your style and shape.  I am skinny and petite, always have been and fingers crossed always will be. (Much to my friends disgust as I stuff my face with the biggest load of crap. For example, Friday night I had a chippy, Saturday night I had a chinese and Sunday night I went out for dinner and had chicken goujons and chips. Yum) I have always been called skinny, prob the only person to get excited about putting weight on so I have a little voice in my head that has an insecurity about this.  I like balance, I don't like to look too skinny.  That sounds completely gay when I write it but we all have our own wee hang ups.  So I like to go for one loose thing and one tight clothing. Balance. Hence why I bought a loose shirt, that and I thought I looked cool in it.

 

 

This shirt goes with anything.  Wear it with jeans, skirts, wear it under a jumper, wear a top underneath it like I am today. Casual, smart, going out, a white shirt always looks great.  It screams classic and ladylike while being cool and with it whatever the season or trend.  It has so many possibilites, you can see from my pictures that I have worn this shirt to death and it looks different everytime. Now I wish I had a button up white shirt too as I would love to have the collar & jumper look that is in at the minute. But unfortately I can not buy anything :( Just to remind you all so I can have some sympathy.

 

I have selected some of my favourite white shirts out there at the minute.

 

Asos white shirt £32

 

Urban Outfitters £38

Miss Selfridge £32

Blinding lights

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the colour purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.” Alice Walker, The Colour Purple

Guees Yellow casual Jacket- similar here 

Primark Striped top - similar here 

Hollister Skinnies ripped 

Navy Converse 

Zara Tie Fur Ankle Boots - similar here 

Links of London Sweetie Bracelet 

Chloe Bo Bracelets 

Over the last few weeks, I have done a few interviews for local magazines and newspaper and one question I was asked repeatedly was "which spring/summer trend am I looking forward to wearing?" All of them! I love the monochrome, the flower prints, leather, 90's, all white and finally neon.

Now all of these I can easily say that I have bits and pieces in my wardrobe that I can attempt to replicate each of these trends. The only one that I thought that I wouldn't have anything of was of course neon. So diving into my wardrobe and I am surprised. I am a very plain Jane dresser, not too many over the top whacky prints, some colour but mostly black, white, red and that's it. Or so I thought. I found neon colours!! Tops, play suits, jackets, skirts. Boom! Sometimes I even surprise myself. The above photo is my take on the spring/summer trend of neon!  I had seen this look on Pinterest and loved it. However after taking these photos, I did think I was a bit too casual for work.  Granted we aren't selling at the minute and I am repricing the samples and tidying but still, I thought it was too laid back.  It's the difference between a yellow blazer and a yellow hoodie/jacket that I have.  Hence why I am wearing two different pairs of shoes.  I changed from converse to lace boots with a heel to make it more work friendly.

But say if I could buy neon things, what would my key pieces be for this season???

I love this sundress from Asos. Link here : Asos Cut out Sundress Perfect for throwing on after lounging on a beach all day. *sigh*

I love these, I want this. They would be perfect with jeans or a grey skirt. Zara Vamp electric blue heel

Orange you say?!? I saw this and was like hmmmm I don't know if I would wear this but teamed with a white shirt to cool it down or a denim shirt I def think it could work.  That's the great thing about this challenge, I am definately trying more looks that I would have been have been scared to do before. Topshop Orange Skater Skirt

You know what I just realised?!? I can buy nail polishes!!! Neon nail polishes! Haha I feel like I have cheated my own system!