Self-gifting

'Tis the season for a little self-gifting. Yes indeedy. A vintage dress here, a cocktail ring there, maybe a pair of crystal embellished Mary Janes? Perhaps it appears that I've taken the Christmas spirit a tad too literally; but let's put this into perspective. The only strata of people in life who can legitimately make 'lists' without fear of reprisal are kids under the age of 8 and those about to get hitched. Where's the justice? My name isn't Virginia and I don't intend on working the ailse anytime soon so ho-ho-hold on a minute and give a girl a break. I've been a good girl all year - it's time for payback! Now where's my credit card...

It All Comes Out in the Wash

Handy I'm not. It seems my DNA is programmed for faff and frippery. Throw in any bit of math, financial management or DIY and my head spins like Lynda Blair. Cut to: my washing machine hissing and spitting yesterday Exorcist-stylee. Not good; not least because half of my wardrobe lies wet in those steel Bosch jaws. Most of all my banjaxed Midas touch is sure to anger the machine. But I want my clothes back so I call for back up. Colum the handyman arrives and handy he is, forcing Ms Bosch to cough up dust, debris and....my underwire. Mort! Yes, it would appear the only ghost in the machine was that of a well chewed bra. Nice.

Swag

Into every life a little swag must fall. If that's the case, I'm definitely taking one for the team. This week alone I've received a P.INC diamond necklace, N. Peal cashmere scarf, €100 voucher for Kildare Village, Tiffany keyring and silk blouse from Whistles. I'm beginning to think Santa got his dates wrong. But hey, who's complaining?!

Hair of the Matter

There's nothing like a good brouhaha - especially when it involves politicians. Oh how we love to see the mighty crumble in this country. The latest 'scandal' in question involves none other than a $410 beauty bill allegedly clocked up by Mary Harney on an official trip to Florida. In the broader context the bill was red-flagged due to excessive spending by government officials. In isolation, it's small beans = €300. Would we rather our political representatives dock up to Cape Canaveral looking like the poor 'Oirish' cousins? After spending a morning at 'Leaders' Questions' in the Dail, I can tell you I'd be more than happy to shell out my taxpaying euros on sharpening up our political posse. Most of them looked like they slept in their clothes over summer recess. Surely a few bob for a wash and blowdry isn't a misappropriation of funds? It should be considered willful negligence not to do so. Case in point: Nicholas Sarkozy's security unit fashionably upstaged Cowan & Co on the French PM's July visit. It's time for serious sartorial measures. Let the $410 be waived I say. Lord knows we could use the help...

Dave Fanning Tonight - RTE Radio 1

Catch me tonight at 7pm on the Dave Fanning Show (RTE Radio 1) talking about none other than high heels! After my foray into the world of 8-inch Louey B's, I've been asked to speak on why women love 'em so much. As I've said before - more consistently reliable than sex - and you don't have to make 'em eggs! CLICK HERE for a playback of the show.

Virgin Vie Fundraiser

Allow me to mount by crystal-embellished soapbox if I may. There's a fab Virgin Vie cosmetics, jewellery and homeware fundraising party in aid of the Simon Community on December 1st. This is a gift-wrapped chance to bag those Crimbo pressies early. What's more, 20% of all money taken for products on the night will go directly to the charity which helps provide real solutions to homelessness in the Greater Dublin area. Get down to the Mont Herbert hotel and flex some retail muscle for a damn good cause. There, I've dismounted. You may go now...

Date:- 1st December
Time:- 6pm onwards
Location:- Mount Herbert Hotel, Herbert Road, Dublin 4
Tel:- 085 737 5510

Lucky Londoners!

Fashion Gaydar

I can't take credit for this one. This piece of priceless reality TV gossip comes directly from my one of my gay best friends.

Andrew sent you a message.
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Subject: Makes Project Runway Look Butch

Well throw out your back catalogue DVDs of America's Next Top Model, delete Project Runway from your Tivo, we have a new reality show on the block - Blush:Search for the Next Great Make Up Artist. Loving the fact the tasks are designed to test the compassion and confidence of contestants; makes the other shows look like they belong on Men and Motors :)

On a slightly less serious note, when are we doing Xmas drinks?

Andy x

Cabaret Chic

Missed The Afternoon Show? CLICK HERE to catch up with my Cabaret Chic slot. Expect lots of feathers, fishnets and bustier action. Don't miss those Tootsie Royale hats - they're fab!

I Blog Fashion and Twiggy on The Afternoon Show

Tune into RTE 1's The Afternoon Show from 3 tomorrow to catch my Cabaret Chic fashion slot. I'll be joined by legendary model Twiggy on the sofa to talk where I'll be showing you how to work that 'razzle dazzle' - without getting arrested. There are some fabulous tophats courtesy of Tootsie Royale Millinery so be sure to watch!

Phil Mitchell Hearts Hakkasan

I was in London yesterday for a super press day courtesy of Asos.com. Not only did we journos get a sneaky peek at the SS09 collection (more deets anon!) but they kindly treated us to a lovely dim sum lunch at Hakkasan. On my way out to the front desk to get my coat, I heard someone ask for a menu. I turned around to see Eastenders' Phil Mitchell beside me. As I casually buttoned up, he asked the maitre d' if he could make a booking. 'For how many?' she asked; at which point I was tempted to chime in 'It's for faaaamily Phil, innit?' Luckily I resisted the urge to get headbutted. I'm sure the poor bloke has heard that line umpteen times...and he looked a bit cross. Still glad I was in the presence of East End lore...even if it was in the West End.

Elemis Moisture Melt

In times of global downturn, it's reassuring to know there are some beauty products that are made to multi-task. Forget your Boots '3-for-2' deals or Lancome 'one to be skincare if you want these poxy travel samples'. Elemis has introduced Moisture Melt - an intense hydrating oil made from exotic frangipani monoi. In laymans' terms this means it can be used as a moisturiser on wet or dry skin, a weekly hair conditioning masque, a treatment for stubborn cuticles, or overnight to soften dry hands and feet. Just warm the bottle under the hot tap and the product, which solidifies at room temperature, melts into a silky liquid as you require it. The result? No nasty spills or greedy overuse! Oh, it also helps protect against free radicals. We hate those pesky things. Get Elemis Exotic Frangipani Moni Moisture Melt £29/ €35

The Apprentice Shoe Editing Blunder

The best editing blunder of late has to go to the producers behind TV3's The Apprentice. On tonight's episode, Kiwi contestant Sarah Cowley was fired for her flaccid project management skills but it was the editor who spliced together two different pairs of heels in her departing shot that should've been sacked. How (or why?) she managed to change from one nasty pair of shoes to the next just beggars belief. Shot one: Orla leaves the boardroom with trolley dolley in a pair of orthopedic chic strappy granny sandals. Shot two: Orla alights the black cab with same trolley dolley; this time sporting a pair of mumsy Mary Janes (an offence in itself to defile such an iconic heel!). At first, I thought Bill was a bit mislead in firing her ass instead of that Orla (who I'm convinced is an actress!) until my retina nearly melted from spying the footwear foulers! Kudos to fierce fashionista sense Mr. Cullen.

Poll Results - Sex Beats Shopping

Who would have thought? People would rather give up flexing retail muscle for flexing another..ehm...muscle. I would've bet my boring cotton undies to the contrary. I'm all for swinging from the chandeliers but surely the hedonistic thrill of buying a pair of Louey B's tops that of a good shag - if only for consistency. Any time I need a pick me up, I just look at my feet. And I'm not obliged to make them eggs.

I Blog Hits Channel 4!

Channel4.com hit up I Blog for some deets on how to parlez the francais in styling. Check it out!
Channel4 Try Life in Another Language Fashion Jobs

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Annmarie Meets Kelly Brook

You could do worse things on a Friday morning than interview Kelly Brook. After having a hairy Thursday, it was pleasant to end the week chatting to the model/actress/presenter/designer. Naysayers may see Ms Brook as innocuous lad mag fodder, but underneath the lucrative curvaceous bod is a sassy savvy super sweet gal. In fact, she's a total chick's chick and unassuming to boot! We like the combo; something Peaches Geldof should consider when meeting the press. Oh wait, that's right; she didn't! (Meow!)

Happy Socks

Socks - not the most inspiring of footwear. Those cotton overlays that disguise your need for a pedicure however are a necessary (albeit unsexy) accessory . Bout time we paid them some attention! Show your feet some love y'all and get some brushed cotton numbers that make your 'pieds' coo like doves on a fence in Central Park. I advise hooking up that quintent atop your ankle to some Happy Socks. Happy Socks aren't just bright n funky; at €7 a pair they're recession-proof too. Did I mention, they wear like a hard hat? The last pair of socks I had that worked it like Beyonce were my 1986 Catholic school knee socks from Anthony Ryan's that finally ripped last year after over 20 years on the go. Don't judge. I believe in quality and I got it damn it! ;)

Poll Results - Favourite Fashion Icon

Our poll results show that Audrey Hepburn is the thinking girl's style icon; followed by Jackie O and Katherine Hepburn. Funnily enough no one voted for Madonna or for Bianca Jagger! Just goes to show how classic bests trend everytime. Safe to say I Blog readers all own a killer black dress, elbow gloves and pearls then. Well done Ms Golightly!

Highstreet Rip Off

You may be wondering why I'm sporting some MK circa 2005 on I Blog. Well, it seems the pint-sized media mogul and I are spliced by a sartorial idiosyncracy - we're both rocking some ripped rags. Yes, I unwittingly have been subjected to the perils of crusty chic courtesy of the highstreet. Only last week, I popped into a well-known retailer to pick up a cardigan and leggings for the weekend. Within one day - the elastic of the leggings stretched, a hole appeared in the leg and the cardi now looks like it belonged to the Michelin Man. Not happy. I started to doubt whether it was my prodigious arse that caused the strain on the lycra (thanks Trinny!) but something tells me they just don't make 'em like they used to. I wouldn't mind but we're not talking Penney's or H&M here. This is supposedly an 'upmarket' chain - and what's worse, this is not the first time I've been cheated. Shame on me. I should no better not to fall for that Mediterranean charm!

Ladies, Form an Orderly Queue

It's 9.30 am on a Saturday and I'm standing outside Oxfam on Dublin's George's Street. Despite being up unusually early for a weekend, I'm smug in the knowledge that I am first in what is a queue of one. Each minute that passes increases my excitement and any poor sod that loiters near the shop window is subject to an evil stare that says 'Back off bitch!' I missed last Saturday's 10am vintage scrum and the week before. This time I would emerge victorious; and that I did with this green gown in tow for only €45! That's right, I finally bested the vultures at Oxfam's weekly vintage hour. The clever little clogs they are, they put the best original 50s, 60s and 70s frocks in the window from Monday with a sign saying 'Not available for sale until Saturday from 10am-11am'. That's a fairly narrow window of opportunity, dontcha think? Despite my attempts to try and finagle a guna with the whole 'I'm press', 'I'm a stylist', 'I'll be wearing it on da telly!' schtick or sweetening up the old dears at the counter with a donation - they don't budge. It's a non-partisan first in the queue scenario I've been told (repeatedly). Must admit, that's really taking Fairtrade to new levels.

I Blog Press

It's been a buzy month for I Blog between styling and writing, so much so that I've been neglecting my daily style soundbytes. To prove that I haven't just been sitting on my nelly watching telly (although X Factor is totally allowed!), here is some evidence to my whereabouts of late:

1) The lovely Georgina Heffernan at RTE Fashion has done an interview with me on the rise of the blog. Check it out here!
2) Mybeautifulboutique.com has included me in their 'Gorgeous Finds' section where I spill the beans on my fave shopping haunts. Click here.
3) Off the Rails Live! hits Dublin's RDS from Nov 14-17 and with it brings OTRL magazine featuring photoshoot of me and my fellow fashion blogging brethern. Pick up your free copy at the show!
4) If you like a bit of magazine show action of an afternoon, tune into The Afternoon Show on RTE 1. Over the next fortnight, I'll be presenting slots on cosy warm winter coats and 1940s glamour. Click here to check out my last four appearances.

Diamonds in the Rough

If you're cleaning out your closet and stumble across some banging threads that need a good home, bring them along to the Rough Gem Swap Shop on November 22nd. The Loft Market at Powerscourt Town Centre is the place and recession chic is the vibe with new or nearly new clothes on the exchange rate. Just bring your hardly or never worn clothes or vintage (nothing skanky please), receive tokens and swap for items of similar token value. Entry is €5 and includes after show party at Spy. Oh...did I mention there's going to be a pop-up vintage store with no item over €10? Click here for registration deets but don't try bribing for vintage. Trust me, I've already worked that angle...

Vintage Blues

There's nothing worse than having to diet into a dress you love. Yesterday, after receiving this 50s jacquard dress from my favourite online vintage store, I was faced with the smarting realisation that duct taping my mouth is real possibility. As eating is far to fun to consider giving up, I thought about getting a body wrap or altering the dress. Neither seemed appealing; in particular the latter which could ruin the garment. I've decided instead to go down the Spanx route. Rumour has it if you get the smallest size into which you can be shoehorned, you can lose a good inch. And a good inch is all that's required with this beauty. God forbid I should darken the doors of Carlisle Fitness. If only my credit card were as prisitine as that of my gym membership.

Fashion Friday with the Indo

I Blog press alert! Nice little interview in Friday's Indo. This was the day I arrived mortifyingly late at the unveiling of Peter O'Brien's new AWear collection. I thought the girl was coming over to ask me to move from her seat (as I skulked into the nearest available pew) but she was actually asking of a snap and some soundbytes. Much relieved I have to say. Click here to check it out!

Favourite Fashion Era Results!

The poll results are in. It seems bloggers heart the 50s - big style. Yup - the Dior 'new look' as seen in this season's pussybow blouses and hourglass silhouettes gets the fashion majority's vote; followed strongly by the 20s. As I've been trumpeting for ages - cinched + tailored = unilaterally slimming and stylish. Unsurprsingly the rather uneventful 90s (unless you count MC Hammer dhoti style trousers as meaningful) received 'nul points' with the 80s clocking up a mere sympathy vote. The new moodboard style cues? Post-war, figure-hugging, screen siren. Ecoutez and repetez...

The Trouble With Katie Rogers

Remember when I told you about The Trouble With Katie Rogers; and that I was contributing some stories to the new book? Well the official release date is June 2009. Look out for The Trouble With Katie Rogers published by APE Entertainment. It's the new SATC and is bringing comics out of the geek-fested basements and into the fabulous world of fashion. Click here for more details!