From street party to state function....

Todays post is about highlighting how easily an outfit can be taken from day to night with the addition (or indeed subtraction) of a few key items.... Read on to learn more.

Street party style should be relaxed and effortless, so a basic shorts and tee combo (with a twist) is always a safe bet! My shorts were light gray high-waisted culottes with colourful spoldges. To these I added a loose black vest top, with small detailing on the pocket. My shoes were plain black ballerinas, allowing the focus to remain on the shorts and were also complemented by a sparkly silver watch and classic Wayfarers.

Bringing the outfit to nightwear was done by replacing my casual vest with a loose black silk pussy-bow blouse. I added black tights to lengthen my legs and popped on some extremely high burgundy heels. Simplicity is key so the base of the outfit was black, letting the statement shorts take the limelight. The burgundy shoes were an addition of some more colour but remained in keeping with the darker tones.

So there it is folks, day to night, plus and minus a few key items.....

The bare essentials:

Day: Shorts: Exhibit

Vest: Dunnes

Shoes: Primark

Night: Blouse: Primark

Tights: Dunnes

The finishing touches:

Day: Watch: D&G

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Night: Watch: Guess

Shoes: Burberry

Monet gone wild?

Have you ever identified with Carrie Bradshaw as she fawns over a pair of Manolos? I will raise my hands up and say 'hell yes' (even though in truth I'm more of a Louboutin gal at heart!). Shoes can make or break an outfit, and so when I finally found my leopard-print Converse I knew my wardrobe was going to be very happy! Although they may appear to be just a pair of sneakers, to me they are fierce, they have attitude, and more importantly they have never given me a blister!!

With todays outfit, I started from the bottom up, or more specifically from the leopard-print Cons up :) I paired them with a Monet-inspired black and white print skirt, very monochrome Erdem, and a plain black V-neck tee to balance the look out. I added a multi-layer necklace consisting of gold, silver, bronze and black strands to give the outfit a more luxe grunge feel.

The bare essentials:

Shoes: Converse

Skirt: Dunnes

T-shirt: Zara

The finishing touches:

Necklace: Aldo

Anyone for Polo?

Todays outfit was about indulging my inner preppy Gossip Girl.....

Loose-fit chinos are what it's about this Summer and I am only too happy to comply with this seasons fashion dos and donts- wear with a fitted top to emphasise your shape, and don't forget the turn-ups!

T-shirts don't come any preppier than a crisp white polo shirt, and I especially love the large emblem horse on mine (even if it is technically kidswear!)

Loafers hit the high street last year and remain the most stylish form of practical footwear our poor ballerina-shod feet have ever known!! Adding a touch of educated finish to every outfit, a pair in black or brown, leather or patent, tasselled or not, the choice is yours....

The bare essentials:

Polo Shirt: Burberry

Chinos: Mango

Loafers: Topshop

Belt: Primark

The finishing touches:

Bracelets: H&M

Lazy Day Style

April 25th....

Seeing as the sun was shining I took it upon myself to bare my pasty white legs to the first of the Summer rays! My favourite denim shorts were today teamed with a slouchy grey and black-lined tee from the wonderful Zara Basics line. I threw on a mint green and grey check shirt and added grey jelly sandals and my latest accessory crush, my new Burberry panama hat (which also protects my hair from the sun!)
Funky + Practical= Win!

The bare essentials:

Denim Shorts: AWear
T-Shirt: Zara
Shirt: Primark
Sandals: Burberry

The finishing touches:

Hat: Burberry
Nail-varnish: 17 Fast Finish in ‘Ruby Gem’

The Mighty Gladiator.

Summer has finally arrived and after a long Winter of tights, riding boots and woollens galore, this fashionista is ready to bare some skin and strut her stuff in sandals!

Gladiator sandals came into their own roughly three S/S ago and they have shown that they are THE staple shoe of the Summer. Flip-flops may indeed be comfortable, but they often lack that extra factor that can take an outfit to the next level. Gladiators of every shape, size and colour are ready and waiting in shops nationwide, so fellow fashionistas there is no excuse!

While multi-coloured, bejewelled and bedazzled numbers may be eye-catching (read, blinding) they are impractical. The best tones to opt for are neutral base colours such as beige, black, brown and grey, which will complement almost any outfit. Add tailored cigarette pants,a thin belt, loose tee and a pair of sunglasses and prepare for admiring glances.....

My most recent splurge has been a pair of Burberry mega-stud sandals. I will confess it was love at first sight and not even the three figure price tag** deterred me......

My new favourite shoes will go with everything in my (now overflowing) wardrobe including salmon-pink pegged Mango trousers, a nautical black-and-white striped dress from Paris and my beloved (if ancient!) denim shorts, making them an investment in my wardrobes future! So while my bank account became slimline overnight, I slept soundly knowing that my designer splurge will ensure each of my Summer outfits has that extra 'je ne sais quoi'.

Multi-studded beauties like these don't come around every season and I think even Tyra Banks would agree that they are 'fierce' personified! ** And to justify the price I will indeed be wearing them all year round!

So, get your mani/pedi on and slip on a pair of Summers best.