{Wedding Wednesday} Low Key & Lovely

This bride has great style...I love her non-wedding dress!

The necklace, the sash, the flowers....beautiful.

Isn't she lovely!

Love her bridesmaids...

And her hair... such a lovely colour, such soft styling. I think this couple have it sussed!

(seen on once wed)

Victorious Victoria

Last night at The British Fashion Awards, Victoria Beckham won the Best Designer Brand of the year. I for one am thrilled for her. I happen to love her designs and the fact that she has become appreciated by the notoriously cynical fashion industry is a very nice thing. There's been talk about who actually designs her pieces or the extent of her involvement, but I think that she has always been upfront in saying that she is not a trained designer, merely a fashion lover who has the opportunity to channel her ideas into these collections. So far, so fair in my view... Well done VB!

Here's a little reminder of her A/W11 show that she was honoured for...

Simple, elegant and classic...

I love this one in particular... I'd wear it in a heartbeat.

Healthy Pretty

This is one 'official' graphic from a cosmetics company that I actually like. In fact, I like it a lot. Oftentimes, they are too OTT, too airbrushed, too unattainable. But Bourjois have done themselves proud with this pretty image that is more Spring-like than Wintery, but a lovely healthy look nonetheless. It's a real 'me' look actually, and very similar to one I will be creating on a shoot this coming Sunday (my absolute last day of work before baby comes in three weeks!) I love the warm red lips and nude eyes - so wearable and gorgeous...
Now, is the product any good I hear you cry! In fact, it is. Very good indeed. It's another of these hybrid foundations that contain serum as well as makeup. They say it contains 'vitamin rich fruit therapy' which helps to even out the skin. I'm not too sure about that claim as I'm always dubious as to how much a foundation, that is designed to merely sit on the surface of the skin, can actually do for the state of your skin. But if you judge this merely as the makeup it is, you will be happy.

It has a nice smooth consistancy, medium coverage and a semi-matte finish that retains a slight glow. As with all of the Bourjois line, they offer good quality products at great price points so it's definitely one to check out. Keep in mind though, that if you can't find your shade, move on! Just because it's nice and cheap, you shouldn't sacrifice finding your exact shade.

Recipe Wall

Isn't this a sweet idea? Old recipes hung in frames for a kitchen wall. Doesn't everyone have old recipes that they have kept from Mums, grandmothers etc? What a good way to keep them current.
My Mum makes brown bread every day and she copies her own Mum's recipe and technique...such a nice way to keep something alive.

A Shot To Swoon Over...

Yes, I'm not exactly running on schedule with my 'Wedding Wednesday' post (blame my hormones and nesting urges!) but like everything in life, I'll get there eventually!
I spotted this shot taken by photographer Christina Brosnan, who I had the pleasure of working with last week and boy did I swoon... That dress. That veil. Isn't it just lovely?
The dress is Jenny Packham paired with a vintage veil. You can see more of it on Christina's blog here...

Attitude of Gratitude

It's World Thank You Day. Sometimes gratitude is one of most inarticulate emotions. It can be hard to say. It can be hard even to feel when times are a bit tough. But to say it makes you feel better; it's been proven as effective treatment for those suffering with depression or those just over-whelmed by life in general. God knows it's rough out there at the moment for so many people, but if you can find 10 things to be thankful for no matter how little or supposedly insignificant -  they matter. Start making your list. Here's mine...

Today I am thankful for...

My parents who have battled through this year facing cancer, money worries and insecurity with grace, bravery, dignity and humour. They remain my sparkling idols.

My daughter Lulu, the light of my life, the apple of my eye, the point of it all.

 Ivan for being Lu's Dad so well.

My ever-cool brother John for just being him.

My new baby who is arriving in three weeks. I can't wait to look at that little face and see those feet that are kicking me right now.

My best friends. A small number I like to call 'The Committee' - they keep me sane, make me laugh, give advice, make me tea (and wine when not pregnant!) They bear witness to my life. I don't have riches but I am wealthy with the company I keep.

My work as a makeup artist which I continue to love after all this time. I truly believe the saying that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.

You lot! This blog which started as a hobby, has since become a true passion and I sincerely love hearing from you and finding beautiful things to show you.

Girl stuff. By this I mean makeup, clothes, magazines, nail polish etc. They are not just flippant - to me they are fun and make me feel like me when I feel a bit too much like a frazzled mother worrying about bills, health and serious things...

The kindness of strangers. By this I mean the people out there who are doing wonderful work to help others who are struggling. I have experienced this kindness myself lately and I now know that this is the energy that makes the world turn.

Be kind or be nothing.

So, there you go. What's on your list?

Happy Thanksgiving

xx

P.S. have a look at this cute blog where Leah writes a thank you note per day

Bow Goes Online

One of my favourite Irish stores has gone online. Bow is the sweetest little boutique run by designers Eilis Boyle, Wendy Crawford and Margaret O'Rourke. The actual shop is in the Powerscourt Townhouse in Dublin 2 and is a treasure trove of loveliness and now their virtual shop is here...

I'm crazy about these cashmere arm warmers by Eilis...

And this scarf...

And this bow!

How cute is this lunchbox?

And these beautiful earrings from MoMuse are On. The. List. It's official!

Trilogy Skin Saviour

Brrrrr...I think Winter has finally landed. It's a freezing morning here and I have turned the heating on. It's a slippery slope till Spring my friends! The only inevitable outcome of this is drier skin (for me anyway) so it's time to load up the nourishment and for me this means buying my annual bottle of Rosehip Oil by Trilogy. It's organic and outrageously good for keeping skin looking and feeling good when switching between warm and colder temperatures. Massage it in night and day and watch that dry pelt turn to softer skin before your very eyes!

P.S. anyone living on Dublin's South Side should check out this Trilogy offer from the fab Select Stores (and have one of their to-die-for juices whilst there!)

Happy Weekend

I hope lot's of things happen to make you smile....

Swooning at Loulerie

I spotted these lovely pieces on the Loulerie site the other day and can't stop thinking about them. I think they will certainly make their way on to my wish list for Christmas. The stacking ring above is made of antique rose cut diamonds and 18k gold. Buy them one at a time and stack 'em up with each birthday or Christmas or any old excuse at all!

I love these initial pendants. Available in silver or gold and also with a semi-precious drop. Wouldn't they be lovely with separate ones with the initials of your kids for example? I think I'll drop some serious hints to my Santa!

Angel wings! I don't wear long earrings very much, but I think I'd make an exception for these. Aren't they pretty...

Have a look at Loulerie's site for more beautifully chosen pieces. Or ideally visit her pretty store on Chatham St - it's one of my favourite shops to look around when I'm in town.

On The Fringe

Every year, and I mean every year, for some reason I become a little obsessed with fringes (or bangs for my US friends!) The thing is that I inevitably get one cut in, like it for about two weeks and then lose my mind with trying to keep it looking good. Mine tends to go a little wonky as I have a slight kink in that portion of my hair. So while I was working on a beautiful 1930's themed nautical wedding shoot the other day, the very talented hair dresser told me the trick to keeping a fringe looking ok... Simply blow dry it in the opposite direction that you want it to sit and then let it fall.... It will magically correct itself and look perfect!

You may know that, but it was news to me! So, now the fringe obsession is hotting up for another year...what to do? what to do?

Wanna see a sweet little video of all the styling team working on the aforementioned shoot? Click here!
I'll share the pics when they are released...

Navy & Gold

It's a classic pairing for a good reason. They look wonderful together. I love the subtle shot of sequins above...

Dress down the sparkle with a navy woolly jumper from Zara...

Ooh, I love this DVF dress...how divine for a glam Christmas party!

There's nothing I don't like about this shot...blazer, bag, watch, rings...swoon!

Silk simplicity with a delicate chain...

Now, that might just be the perfect blazer...

Navy metallic smoky eye...the contemporary way to rock a dark eye.

How lovely are these earrings, I'd love them to dress up a plain white T...

And this necklace with same white T!

Navy and gold work so well in interiors too..

I love that gold backdrop...so unusual.

Gorgeous arrangement...

(pics via pinterest)

Flowing Beauty

These are such a pretty sequence of shots I have been saving for a while. I just love the movement and the gauzy fabrics. So beautiful...

This is art...

Desert flamenco...

One day I want to wear something like this...

 Photography, fashion and art collide....

Nude softness...

So ethereal, so very lovely...

Happy Monday my darlings!

(pics via pinterest)

Goldilocks

Yes, it's purely a fashion thing. But it's a lovely thing...

Gold leaf paint at the Topshop show...

Lovely with a knot. It takes hair accessories to a whole new level...would you dare?

Just Made Me Smile Today!

(via pinterest)

Mothers & Daughters

I have to share one of my favourite blogs with you. These beautiful shots are a mere selection from The Glow - a site that celebrates (and beautifully photographs) mothers with their kids...

I love this moment between Mama and baby... I'm so lucky to have it too.

Funtime on the couch...

Kisses!

More kisses!

Little chubby legs in tights. I don't think there is anything cuter!

I love this sequence. She reminds me of Lu kissing my bump...

How lovely...

Dancing! One of the joys of having a little person...Lu's favourites are Wham and Bob Marley!