The Zara Die Cast Pleated Shopper

I have a dream. That one day I will transform into an effortlessly chic and glamorous lady. One with an obscene amount of shoes, bags and clothes - who always looks perfectly polished and classic. However, as much as I try this transformation my plan gets scuppered at the first hurdle; whether it be by wind, rain, poverty or just plain lack of effort, and I end up resembling something close to Eliza Doolittle avant Henry Higgins.

After achieving freedom by finishing my University degree this week and hopefully graduating in September, I have renewed all efforts to accomplish this feat. And so I clicked 'buy' on an item that's been dancing in my mind for a few weeks - the Zara Die Cast Pleated Shopper. I like to think of this as a 'practical' bag that will soon be used as a ‘work bag’...once I get a job! Because of its massive size, it’s not something I would use everyday or for nights out; but for 'business' things, beach days, work and travel its perfect. I also have my eye on this as an everyday holdall bag and am thinking it should be my next purchase in the quest for becoming quite the little lady. What do you think?

If you want to see me ramble about this bag and other things I've bought recently, I uploaded a Collective Haul earlier!

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iclothing.ie 1st Birthday Party and Giveaway Winner

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend the iclothing.ie 1st birthday bash in Dublin for a look at their SS12 range and a preview of their boutique collection. I brought along the lovely Aoife (who took one or two of these snaps!) and we spent the evening munching on delicious blueberry cupcakes and looking at all the beautiful clothes available on their website.


iclothing.ie is an Irish company that ships all around Europe and much like online shopping haven ASOS offers on-trend pieces at affordable prices. I first ordered from iclothing.ie about a year ago, when they had first opened and was so happy with the items I got. Now, a year later they have expanded their site hugely offering everything from dresses to coats to accessories and shoes and all that's in between. The SS12 collection has all the bright colours you can imagine, perfect for a Summer wardrobe. Some of the clothes we saw yesterday are simply gorgeous, so much so that I've spent half the morning browsing the site looking for my next purchase(s)! Go to iclothing.ie and have a look-see for yourself!

A massive thank you to the iclothing.ie team for having me and for causing inevitable financial instability! 

(PS: I have totted up all the entries to my giveaway and the winner is SEONAID, whom I'm about to email! Congrats and thanks to everybody for entering!) 

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Current Skincare Routine #2

There is nothing more comforting (and we could go as far as exciting) than removing all traces of make up after a long day. It is, pathetically, one of my favourite parts of the evening and fills me with just as much joy as applying it in the mornings. I'm a bit of a sucker for hype, but once I find something good I tend to stick to it and remain loyal for life, much like the Liz Earle obsession that has reigned in my house for the past six years. Never being one to skimp on skincare, I've found myself being more excited and inspired by it recently, so much so that I'll walk past numerous make up counters to enfold myself in those that offer excellent quality skincare. And after years of trying out different lotions and potions with varying degrees of success, I've decided to share with you those that I've found to be the best. For the moment. I can't promise I won't splurge on new products in the next few weeks! 

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In Solidarity

'Last week I saw Cameron Diaz at Fred Segal, and I talked her out of buying this truly heinous angora sweater. Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed'

And while I'm not the biggest pink fan when it comes to clothes, eyeshadow or accessories, pink on the lips is a personal favourite. This evening, I'm going to Legally Blonde: The Musical with the Mother. For once, I think she's more excited about something than me. When we were in London last year, she furiously went to the box office to get us tickets and was slightly disappointed when we had to come home minus the LB musical experience. So, when it arrived in Dublin for a two week run, she jumped at the chance.

And so in solidarity to all things Elle, I'm donning the pink lipstick for the show. I've been loving using the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation recently, which I've slapped on here. Its got just the right amount of coverage without being too heavy. The 'glitter particles' in it are a bit annoying, though and can make you look like Edward Cullen in the sun. Teamed with my usual MAC Harmony blush as contour and the beloved, but rarely used Well Dressed blush gives a fresher look than something more peachy. Because of the bright pink lips, MAC Magenta lipliner with a smidgen of MUFE Electric Pink Lab Shine lipgloss, I opted for something simpler on the eyes; MAC Naked Lunch with MAC Coffee pencil blended in the outer corners. And violá, off to Legally Blonde I go!

What do you think? Would you wear bright lips during the day?

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Salon Approval

Remington CB65 Volumising Brush, Redken Volume 10 Volume Mousse Spray*, Frizz Ease Intensive Mask, Pantene Volume and Body Hairspray*

There is nothing more frustrating than sitting in the armchair at the hairdressers, having your head tugged, pulled and reefed to beauty. 'You can recreate this so easily at home', she says every single visit; and every single time I believe it, only to go home and wreck my arm from trying to hold a hairdryer correctly (sideways, arm bent over your head), get every round brush I own caught in my tangly mane and burn the ears off myself trying to create volume. This process happens about six times a year and usually involves a little sob, a significant loss of hair and a return of the GHD.

But recently, I found a miracle hair tool, as recommended to me by my lovely hairdresser to get that 'salon look' without all the hassle. And it comes in the form of the Remington CB65 Volumising Brush, (I bought here) which acts as a large heated roller for your hair. Just four products are needed to achieve salon finished hair. I applied the Frizz Ease Intensive Mask to my hair after washing and left it in for five minutes, I then applied some Redken Volume Spray Mousse to the roots of my hair, making sure to massage it into the scalp; which gives huge body to your hair. Next was to blow dry my hair (something I hate doing), as as per usual I tipped my head upside down and blasted until dry. When it was bone dry it was time for the Volumising Brush to transform my messy, lifeless hair. Dividing my hair into sections, I used the brush much like a heated roller, wrapping the hair around from the tip to the root, holding for a few seconds and then releasing, taking about fifteen minutes to complete my whole head. A decent blast of hairspray and you're ready to go.

Although I own multiple curling irons, conical wands and hair straighteners, I've found this to be the best for creating salon-style hair. It works beautifully with layers to create shape and volume, while also giving a lovely polished look to the hair. If you are someone without layers the result may not be as dramatic, but it will smooth the hair to create a beautiful shape, much like that look you leave the salon with. Blowdry's for parties and special occasions are a thing of the past, as this does the exact same thing for a fraction of the price. For just over €30/£22, its possibly one of the best buys of the year and has me giddy with excitement everytime I use it.

Do you lust over salon-style hair, and how do you achieve it? 

*pr samples

Brows: Thread, Wax, Pluck

I've committed a grave beauty sin of the worst variety. I allowed my eyebrows grow to a shocking state of vile. But don't panic, it was all for a good cause because now they are better than ever. After completing both beautician and make up courses over the last two years, I have been well versed in the benefits of threading. In fact, for some reason anytime anyone asked me what they should do to keep their peepers in shape, I would recommend a little pop down to a local threading professional, but its only now I've ever had this done myself. Don't ask my why I did this, but I was under the illusion that not much needed to be done to my brows. How wrong I was!

I decided enough was enough after I spied a few photos of myself on facebook, looking more like a wolf than the tamed beaut I aspire to me. Slight exaggeration, I may add, they weren't that bad but improvement was necessary. And so I spent over a month growing out my brows in order to have a lady with a thread reef them out. And reef she did, but I never experienced the pain others complain about. It was virtually painless. Now I won't lie, her bedside manner wasn't the best - 'you over-pluck' and 'there's only so much I can do to help you today' among others, but she presented me with beautifully groomed brows at the end of my two minute visit. Of course, its more expensive than my plucking (ie. not free), but most definitely worth it. I vow not to pluck between now and my next appointment. See, just one trip has me a changed woman!

Do you thread, pluck or wax your brows? 

Chyc

Blazer: Zara, Jeans: Zara, Clutch: Ebay 

During one of my many window shopping excursions of all things expensive, I clapped eyes on the YSL Chyc clutch bag in a beautiful nude hue. It was love at first sight, but sadly my credit card wouldn't condone this lust and forced me to snap back into reality. While mourning the fact that I wasn't someone rich enough to spend a whopping five hundred euro on a single bag, I set out to find a decent dupe.

After weeks of trawling through ebay, highstreet sites and Primark-esque shops, I finally saw this one on Victoria's blog. Now, as a lover of all this nude and neutral, I opted for the 'dark beige' colour which to my surprise was nothing of the sort. I would call it a murky greige, not quite as neutral as I had expected, but a very handy bag to have at my disposal. 

This is a much larger version of the YSL Chyc, which may be off-putting for some. But, if like me clutches aren't really your friends, you may welcome the bigger size, which will hold everything from keys, to wallets, to 13' laptops (I tried and succeeded, people!). Be warned about the colours, and that they mightn't be true to life but perfect for lazy summer days when a large bag isn't necessary. 

On a side note, completely loving all things Zara at the moment. This blazer is exactly what I'd been searching for, being both smart and casual at just under fifty euro; and the 'skinny trousers with zips' are a new favourite being unbelievably comfortable and clinging in all the right places. Buying win. 

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