Pretty in Pink

The days are just starting to get longer and my plans for spring and summer are starting to align themselves in a most favourable manner, but to bastardise the The Rolling Stones, I see my wardrobe and it all seems to be black, no colour anywhere I want some colour back.

Pink and I are not the greatest of friends on a general basis, but when winter wardrobe fatigue sets in, I am generally able to forgive any character weaknesses. I bought this along with 2 other brooches from Claire's Accessories for a wedding outfit that needed a bit of quirk. 

Run on

I have been terribly neglectful lately. I prefer not to blog out of obligation because the few times I have done, I wasn’t very happy with the result. In some ways I think I am suffering from a lack of inspiration.

I’ve been trying to figure out why. Part of it is that I have been unable to afford anything new for a while, but then I haven’t really needed anything new either.  When I say ‘New’ I mean new to me – I embrace charity and thrift shopping when I have the time. But with ‘new’ comes the fashion equivalent to an adrenalin rush - even a new solid coloured tee makes me want to run home and pair it with everything I own to see what looks best.

For the most part I’ve been a bit bored with clothes and shopping. Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing things out there, but there are also a lot of the same bits, but in different colours or some other slightly altered state to make it a must-have for the season. When I was looking at bits in the sales, there was very little that sold itself to me.

I am very inspired by the Comtesse de Ferveur and the challenge she has set herself to not buy anything for a year, unfortunately I have a list of things I need to buy in the coming months that started last year due to loss or wear and tear on the currently owned items. In most cases I am either waiting for the right version of it or for the cash to be available in my bank account.

Though I did manage to pick up a few things in the sales and one item that was necessary as per my last post...new runners. They don’t have yellow, but they do have silver - I put the mad red laces in myself as they came with navy laces and I decided they needed a bit if oomph and if you can’t have fun with your runners...what can you have fun with? Plus I bagged them in Size? for half of their original price.

The Perfect Pair

We met on Wooster Street in Manhattan in 2008. I’d been looking for so long and there you were.  It was perfect.

We went to Barcelona shortly after, then Croatia, Manchester, London, Biarritz, Belgium, Sicily and the fields of Stradbally where you were warmly received.  In Texas and California there were remarks on how bright you were, but I defended you. We almost went to Paris, but you were a little too worn out from all the pavement pounding.

With moving comes the inevitable purge. I finally had to say goodbye to the best runners ever. I tried to recycle you, but couldn't fine a place that would take you.

I am seeking a replacement pair. I’ve trawled Ebay for your clone, but no luck so far.

New applicants must have a GSOH,  a splash of yellow and be the right fit.  

Old is New

Friday night led to two rediscoveries...

Rediscovery 1: I cut my fringe (or bangs) back in. (Apologies to Rob, my hairdresser, if he’s reading this!) I have been putting off getting a chop for as long as possible as I’d like to have long hair again. However a slightly hungover Friday in work and the walk home led to me deciding that the fringe would be trimmed as soon as I got home. I don’t think it’s too bad for DIY job.

I look better with a fringe. Or at least I think I do and that is what matters. Makes me feel a bit minxy – I blame Bettie Page.

Rediscovery 2: The ring was bought at a posh charity sale a few years ago for 2 euros and is labelled R Sobral. It was always a shade too big for some fingers and too tight on others. However in my search for something to wear out with a plain outfit, I threw it on and it fits my index finger.

Methinks both will be making appearances for a while.

Today's Lessons

1. The water in my area was being shut off for the day. Unfortunately I learned this post-yoga and pre-shower. Thank goodness for baby wipes and dry shampoo.

2. Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon accompanied by a Bloody Mary at Lennox Street Cafe is the definition of a perfect brunch.

3. Powerscourt Centre has always been one of my favourite places in Dublin and at the moment it is one of the best places to shop. Hour Glass has very lovely hats, scarves and gloves. 2nd Skin has tights of every description. There is a great selection of vintage jewels in the shops on the second floor, including one that has signed Lea Stein brooches at affordable prices. The Loft has a bit of something for everyone. I could spend a lot of money in there in a very short amount of time.

4. Tom Ford’s Violet Blonde smells amazing and one squirt lingers for hours.

5. D&G have some very cute bike basket-friendly handbags.

6. Everytime I ponder the purchase of a denim skirt I see a girl wearing one and I remember that they don’t really flatter anyone.

7. I am forever indebted to hipsters for making flat shoes fashionable again, however in most cases said shoes are slippy, making hipsters running in the rain slightly entertaining.

8. The sight of Christmas decorations in shops makes my liver hurt. Apparently it never forgets and is not looking forward to the impending festive season.

9. The Starbucks on Harcourt Street is excellent for people watching when taking cover from a particularly heavy shower.

Wishing and hoping and...

Wishing and hoping and by marielmcp

This is my current wish list...

I made the mistake of going to BT2 in search of shoes and couldn’t avert my eyes fast enough from COS. Temptation pushed four frocks into my arms and manhandled me into the fitting room.

I am totally in love with this dress. My poor housie has been subjected to me mentioning it frequently since Wednesday. Finally this morning it dawned on me that I have the perfect reason for its purchase...a christening! 

I am also in love with the ‘it’ polish for the season...again. I can’t decide if I am just a fashion marketer’s dream in this regard or if it’s the colour. Years ago I had this amazing Hard Candy polish in a deep, glittery olive green. This polish reminds me of it, but has a gunmetal edge and I’m a sucker for grey.

The YSL belt bag...though I don’t want it in patent and would prefer it in matte black, mink, camel or olive. I got a bicycle recently and well this is a perfect hands-free handbag. Yes the bike has a basket on the front of it, but...well...I just want it!

The brogues because I’ve been saying for ages that I want a pair of glittery brogues. I regretted not buying a pair a few years ago when they first hit the scene and now that they’re back, I will be sure to acquire a pair. 

The yoga mat because I actually need a new one, my current one is wearing out. I’m getting a slightly posh one this time as I go to yoga twice a week and a good mat is necessary.

Instant gratification must wait however as I am off to Texas on Wednesday for a best friend’s wedding...I’m a BM so was unable to use this as an excuse to spend a ridiculous amount of money on an outfit of my choice. Plus I never know what I’ll find in the States and it could turn this current wish list on its ear, except the yoga mat and the glittery brogues and the...

Belter

It seems like Gok Wan’s fashion solution to everything is ‘put a belt on it’. Now for the most part I am not mad on Gok and part of it is that I feel he relies on belts a little too much as being key to every outfit and shape, but with some things in my closet a belt is exactly what is needed.

They can instantly transform a dress that doesn’t do much for your waistline or in something patterned they break it up a bit, making the busy-ness a bit easier on the eye.

I have a ‘strictly for purpose’ plain black belt, which has reached a stage where it should really be replaced, to wear with jeans and trousers and a number of ‘fashion belts’. As pictured, one of these was removed from a pair of vintage trousers that I got in a family haul and the other has been featured previously as being a TJ Maxx, or TK Maxx, depending upon which side of the pond you are on, find. I have a few others that get used for nipping in various dresses – and I think pretty much all of these are from H&M (like the bow belt above). I also tend to use scarves or long chains as belts.

  

Dream belts...my mom has an amazing vintage brown leather belt from the 70s...you know the ones with a painted scene carved in that includes rainbows and snow-topped mountains...I keep contemplating stealing it. And I have also been keeping my eye out on Ebay for a reversible Hermes belt, preferably in turquoise and black or chocolate brown with a silver H buckle. I think both of these will remain a dream for a good while longer.