Christmas Wish List - An Adidas Jacket

Photo by Aidan Coughlan

SIGH. From the age of 15 I had trawled vintage shops in the hope I would find a vintage Adidas jacket with stripes on the sleeves and the old school symbol. One day I went into an Adidas outlet in Lake Tahoe and there she was.


Pink would not normally have been my colour of choice, but I fell in love with they way it stood out with the black and promptly convinced my mother to buy it for me. It was a terribly loyal jacket and survived a cigarette burn on St Patrick’s Day, a couple of Electric Picnics and many house parties. Then one day while grocery shopping it left my life as quickly as it came in.

I had slung it over my handbag and was examining some vegetables, took a few steps and realized it was gone. I was crushed. Inconsolable. This was over a year ago and I still haven’t moved on, but I think I’m ready. I’ve asked Santa for one and if he doesn’t deliver it on Christmas Day, I’m heading to the Adidas outlet and hopefully fate will intervene. I promise I won’t lose this one, Santa!

A Winter Hat

At this time of year in Ireland, a winter hat is a necessity. I couldn’t tell you how many I’ve lost over the years in pubs, cinemas, friend’s houses, shops…you get the picture. I stopped buying black ones as they had a tendency to disappear within moments of being purchased.

I now buy coloured winter hats in H&M or Penneys/Primark. From there if the hat has any kind of accent, like a bow or flower, it’s a winner. I’ve always loved the look of a brooch on a hat, but due to my track record of losing hats, I refrain from adding much in the way of decoration myself. 

The one I’m wearing this year is a dark purple and in the style of a Tam o’Shanter complete with pompom. I’ve actually had it for a couple of years, but have really taken a fancy to it this year. It’s a silly hat, but I firmly believe that fashion should be fun and I think this hat does it.

A ribbon scarf....

About 5 years ago, I was lucky enough to receive a sizable gift card from a group of friends for Brown Thomas. The day after receipt I went straight in and spent the lot on an Hermes twilly.

I recently saw a woman sporting one around her neck and another two tied to her briefcase, she looked impossibly chic. In my mind she had to be French. I almost struck up a conversation with her just out of sheer envy.

It doesn't need to be Hermes, it can be from anywhere in any pattern or colour. I would say plump for silk, if you can, as I find even cotton can be a bit stiff and itchy when tied that close to your skin.

For solid coloured and plain clothes - especially monochrome outfits, it gives an amazing bit of oomph...tied coyly in a knot around your neck and instantly you’re sporting the sexy secretary look, alternatively tie it around a chignon or wear as a headband to keep it a bit more PG. I’ve also been known to tie mine around my wrist or in a bow around the strap of a tank top. I could wax lyrical about this forever, but many a blogger has blogged there before me…

What's in a name?

Marie is not always found on the displays of personalised pencil cases, magnets, and trinkets. I’ve always felt compelled to snap anything up that did have my name on it, cue my Tatty Devine name necklace.

I read about them in a magazine and bought name necklaces for several friends and finally last year I purchased one for myself and it has become one of my favourite pieces. The font and colour remind me of Annie, which I was obsessed with as a little girl…ok, which I am still obsessed with – who doesn’t love a red dress with white tights and black patent Mary Janes? I have also always loved hearts. It’s a playful piece and comes in very handy when being introduced to people in a loud pub.

Every quirky fashionable girl and boy should own a name necklace, there are fonts, colours and sizes to suit anyone. Or if you’re not into advertising your name pick a word you love.  They’ve recently added an Anchor to the possible charms and I cannot wait to get a new one with it. I’m thinking ‘Yes,Sir!’ or ‘Yank’ in either yellow, green or navy blue.

Bienvenue!

So this is my blog…after the insistence of several friends I’m finally starting one and of course it’s yet another fashion related blog. I tend to dress very plainly and then accessorize, so instead of taking pictures of what I wear everyday I am going to focus on my accessories as I have quite the collection. There are everyday, occasion, designer, vintage, inherited and purchased pieces, as well as gifts that at first made me raise an eyebrow and then became pieces I adore. Shoes, bags, scarves, rings, earrings, bracelets, barrettes, sunglasses and even make up are used as embellishments…and sometimes it’s not an actual physical accessory, but something below the surface…