For those within a wedge-heeled walk of Bond Street, don't miss this Thursday's Luella sample sale. With 60-90% off current and vintage lined on catwalk, ready-to-wear and accessories, it is what it is - a steal. If you fail to turn up, consider it a crime against fashion. Talk about getting things handed to you. Jeez! (cue: grumbles bitterly to herself all the while claiming she never liked that lovely Luella anyway!)
Only two days left of me Meditech dimple destruction and the world will be safe for democracy. We had a little 'plateau' issue due to some water retention; but with that behind us and only two sessions left, the shedding should continue. Despite my body's uncanny ability to make like a sponge, my skin has never been smoother. Did I mention I lost some junk in the 'aul trunk? And the permanently flat tummy? Could this be a religious experience? I'm beginning to think so.
Slogan tees - a divisive fashion point at best. 'RELAX' like Frankie and you're an ironice hipster; emblazon 'Northsiders do it better' on your chest and you're a life-size prat. Luckily, Turtlehead.ie - a Dublin-based t-shirt/art collective - has come up with snazzier tag lines to save you from impending social suicide. 'I Hate Bread' is angsty yet coeliac-friendly; while 'Old is the New New' could score you serious post-modernist points. 'Same Circus...Different Clowns' is my personal fave. I wonder if that's what Britney says after each tour date?
Sales can be a bit cut throat - 50% reduced here; 70% slashed there. Throw in that Harvey Norman eegit shouting at us to 'GO! GO!' and it all gets a bit out of hand. Luckily the good folk at Indigo & Cloth have bucked the trend and taken pause with a bit of quid pro quo. Allow me to interpret the signage - "Here's the deal. You buy something special and we buy you something special back." A bit like how you struck with your elementary school BFF. i.e. simpler times. Nice.
It's hard to believe I'm on the last stretch of my miracle cellulite treatment regime. Only four more sessions to go until I emerge as Heidi Klum's doppelganger! Since starting the Meditech challenge 2.5 weeks agao, the DTs have ended, my skin is flawless and I've melted almost 20 cms from my thighs; the cellulite isn't bad either! That's is the beauty of it. I went in to blast those dimple marks and in turn received complimentary body sculpting and a new diet to look forward to. All that wheat and caffeine was causing me to drag my ass like a prehistoric sloth. Now? Perky. So very perky. Loving it!
I'm beginning to love this whole recession deal. Not only has it curbed my shopping habit (well sort of...) but it's made me quite the haberdashing dame. Just check out these little gems from Dublin's A Rubanesque (01 672 9243). The chiffon floral collar (€15) can be stitched onto a plain tee as an epaulette (in which case I need another!) or onto a collar for instant jewellery. And those antique buttons to the left? They're going to snazz up my rather pedestrian Topshop blazer. I'm so in love. Swoon! Until we meet again A Rubanesque (i.e. payday next week), your bijoux goodies shall be on my mind. Sigh!
Friday saw the watershed in my month-long Meditech trial. After six 1.5-2 hour cellulite-blasting sessions, I got to see the 'before' and 'after' photos side by side. I have to say, I'm impressed in more ways than one. Not only have I lost 2.5 inches off the widest part of my thigh and 2 inches from the mid but my general skintone (no more blotchy pinkness) has improved along with the unsightly dimpling. Weirdly enough, my knees even look like they've had a lift! Friday's body wrap saw another overall loss of 3 cms between both legs which if continues, means I will have dropped an estimated total of 3 inches from each top thigh, 2.5 from the mid and about .5 from the knee. Now a mathematician I am not but suffice to say, I look thinner!
Vintage vixens take note. Dublin's retro atelier - Dirty Fabulous - is having an open day on Saturday the 4th of July to celebrate all things American! If you fancy playing dress up in cloche hats, pencil skirts and lace gloves, then get down to their Baggot Street HQ for a goo. They're even laying on the cookies and cupcakes and some sweet special offers. Swell!
For those of you who know Mary Portas - a.k.a. Fashion Retail Guru - you've probably heard of her televised bid to remake the image of the beleagured charity shop. Inspired by the recession and alarmed by the state of Britain's 5,500 thrift stores, Portas has successfully created a template for second-hand success with a funky pop-up store in London's Westfield. With celebrity sales assistants on hand (Tamara Palmer-Tomkinson anyone?) and designer donations administered by Grazia magazine, the store has already rung £47,000 at the tills for charities Save The Children, Barnardo's and Mind. The venture's three-week tenure finishes on June 27th so if you happen to be in the London area, be sure to pop in and bag some swag!
The Loft Market held its soigne sweet tooth get together today at Powercourt Town Centre. Amidst the rails of vintage and indie designed frocks and jewels were tables of lush cupcakes and Barry's Tea. Pity I found out I'm coeliac. Had to abstain from my once favourite dessert and indulge instead in some window shopping. Yes indeed - it's not just my thighs that are currently in diet mode. Sigh (that one came from my wallet)!
"Maser Loves U" - or so he says. In case you ever doubted Dublin's most notorious graffiti artist, he's tagged Sth William Street with its own angel - ostensibly to watch over its hipster residents. Isn't he a peach? If you fancy your own wing action, Urban Outfitters are selling gold necklaced pairs for just €35. Divine.
This is what happens when you let an Anne Doyle fan within spitting distance of the RTE news room. I was supposed to be attending an event at Montrose and wound up on an unofficial tour of the Doyle Dome. Like any good fan I needed proof (thank God for Blackberry cameras) of having warmed Anne's seat pre 9 o'clock news. Oh how we love the Doyle. The Anna Wintour bob, the model stern looks and wool suits that say 'I am the news'. She could show those bitches at Paris Fashion Week a thing or three. All hail the Doyle!
Fashion gets a bad rap for being shallow. Sure, we've got a thing for the exterior (ain't nothin' like a fine exterior!) but even us sartorialists know it's what's on the inside that counts. That's why we've been making haste to snag one of Ben & Jerry's ltd ed anti-IT bags. Not only are they available in three designs (mine's a Sarah McCall 'Delightfully Untitled' number) but they also highlight the mission of its newest flavour Fair Trade Chocolate Macadamia (insert 'yum' here). The bags will be available soon at selected Dublin retailers including BT2 (Grafton Street) Circus Store & Gallery and Urban Outfitters (Temple Bar and Dundrum) but you can bag yours now at ‘Ben & Jerry’s Ireland’ Facebook, simply by posting a photo of what you think a ‘fair trade’ for one of the bags would be. Too good to pass up.
It's official. I'm turning into the Incredible Shrinking Woman. My two Meditech visits this week have clocked up a combined staggering loss of 10.7 cms on both thighs! What's more, my lethargy has been purged and I'm as sprightly as a springbok on acid! A big thanks must go to MD Marion Deegan who also identified my pesky gluten intolerance. Since going to thrice weekly sessions and eliminating the food triggers from my diet, I've never felt better. My skin is smoother and brighter, my sleep patterns have improved and my stress-related food cravings have all but disappeared. The fact that I now only consume about one cup of coffee a day is an act of God in itself. Be sure to log on this Friday when I'll be posting my half-term 'before' and 'after' photos.
I blame it on Jean Paul Gaultier. I wouldn't have such an obsession with Toreador chic if he didn't catwalk sexy Spanish look every haute couture season. His 2009 ode to the bullfighter which featured razor-sharp tuxedo jackets, lace toreador trousers, hooped skirts and dresses suspended on straps of filigree was by far his strongest show yet. But what of menswear? After gushing Monday night at Culloden House's showing of Carmen the opera for all the wrong reasons (ie: Escamillo's bum in those tight trousers) I got to thinking - could bullfighting style cues be the next trend? Think of it - the embellished epaulettes and strong shoulders of a Toreador jacket are far more fashion-forward than standard military garb which is punted out every season. Surely the lads would benefit from some spicy bling. After all, every woman loves a man in uniform. Ole!
Ever since I met V V Brown at London Fashion Week, I've been crushing on the doo wop singer's retro style. Her fierce 50s fringe and sock hop sensibility (not to mention those killer pipes!) have made her an Ashish muse and Vogue darling. What's more, she's even creating her own fashion line. What's not to love? Now Glasto has gotten in on the deal-io by collaborating with Ms. Brown on a ltd ed poncho - free to the first 100 request at the Orange Chill ‘n’ Charge tent on Saturday of this year's festival. If you don't manage to bag your rainproof swag, you can always catch the dulcet tones of Ms. double V - live at the Chill ‘n’ Charge. Check it out!
Swoon-tastic. I've just discovered a new beauty prod that has taken pride of place in my bathroom. Molton Brown - purveyors of aromatherapy loveliness - have introduced celestial maracuja (or passionflower) to their range and combined it with a lovely sugar polish. The result - silky smooth and yummy smelling pins. Winds up that the Amazonian bud is also known for its calming and mildly sedative properties; not to mention being a libido-enhancer! Swit swoo! Get perfectly polished for €49 at Molton Brown, Wicklow Street, Dublin 2.
Check out The Sunday Times Style today for my article on Irish street style and the fashion blogging scene. There are even some DIY dressing tips for the credit-busted amongst us courtesy of I Blog. Pick up your copy today!
OK here's the thing. Specsavers is launching its sophmore competition in Ireland to find their Spectacle Wearer of the Year. This time they're pounding the Irish pavements with e-tailing giant ASOS.com to find their chosen gals in glasses. The winner receives a modelling contract with Assets Models and an all-expenses paid trip for two to Thailand. What's more, super stylist Gok Wan will be judging the whole shebang at the October final. Now, here's the twist. Us hacks get to throw some questions - fuzzy or fierce - at His Stylishness but the quality of the queries determine access to face time with the Gok. Specsavers are now challenging the blogosphere to come up with some classy clangers to clinch an interview. Shorlisted questions will be placed on the Specsavers Facebook page and all credits will be given to the querent. So, whether it's 'boxers or y-fronts?'; or simply 'what's with the bone in the ear?' be sure to ask on I Blog before June 30th. G'Won - you know you want to! 
Last Friday marked the end of my first week on the Meditech challenge. After Wednesday's trojan loss of 14.5 cms, I had little expections for further loss. Surprisingly, I lost another 2 cms. What this all equates to is 1.5 inches off the widest part of each thigh in one week and butter smooth skintone. To help along the process, I've cut down to one cup of coffee per day and have been drinking a requisite 2 litres of water per day. I'm still very tired but that's the toxins still taking their leave. I wish the pesky house guests would go soon as I'm fairly knackered. Looking forward to Monday - my second body wrap - and timely as I am attending the opera at Culloden Estate that evening. LBD here we come!
Fascinators are dead. It's official. You know why? Because I'm going to make it my business to kill the damn trend off. No more randomly placed single or multi-feather race day abominations I say. There are so many plausible headwear options out there without looking like you pillaged your local florist or Dublin Zoo. If Philip Treacy is too steep for the aul pocket, Catwalkgenius.com have some mighty fine millinery from Tour de Fource; as does The Loft Market's newest tenant - Dessjslava - whose 20s and 30s haute couture hats have me swooning like a lovesick teen. My advice? Pay a trip to Powerscourt Town Centre and check out the goods. Divine!
I should never make promises to myself that I can't keep - especially when it comes to shopping. You know how it is. One minute you're standing there sipping champagne; the next minute you're holding a Kohl boutique bag containing a pure silk Fly Now avant-garde opera jacket. It all happened so quickly your honour - and in fairness it was on sale. Did I mention I had a voucher too? So that haedly qualifies as real shopping, does it? It would have been an insult to fashion if I hadn't bought it. A total find! Goes with practically everything in my wardrobe. How many excuses was that now?
If you fancy updating your wardrobe for a very good cause then head down to Tankardstown House tonight for a very special style and beauty event in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Guests will be treated to hair and beauty master classes, wardrobe workshops and a fashion show by Kohl boutique in the walled gardens of this Conde Nast Award winning estate. In addition to the nibbles, bubbles and goody bags, you'll also have the pleasure of yours truly as emcee! Hope to see you there!
It's official. I'm a total convert to the Meditech challenge - and it's only my second treatment. Today I had a mini-ultrasound sesh for my pins followed by a 40-minute cellulite wrap. Fancy knowing the stats? Of course you do! I lost 14.5 cms in one day! That's 8.7 cms off my left thigh and 5.4 from my right - including top, mid and bottom measurements. If I keep toning at this rate, I'll have reached Klum-like nirvana. Sigh... The challenge continues.
Cellulite. It's a bit like an unwelcome house guest - showing up all over the gaff and a bitch to shift. Sooner or later however, the P45 and a big sayonara is in order. For me, the orange peel offensive began this morning at MeditechClinics where I commenced my month-long Beautytek treatment. The process is totally non-invasive, completely pain and risk free and more to the point - measurable. On the first visit your measurements and 'before' shots are taken. Then the thighs are massaged with ultrasound to stimulate the lymphatic system. The process takes about 2 hours and after which you can expect immediate results...and a slight bout of nausea due to the toxin release. (Tip: drink lots of water afterwards or you'll feel mildly hungover!) I lost a total of 6.4 cm from both thighs (left thigh - 2.9 cm; right thigh - 3.5) and am looking forward to Wednesday's thigh wrap session. Keep reading for my thrice weekly updates!
Monday - blah. Four more days til Friday. Not to worry, we've got some Benefit goodies winging their way to four lucky competition winners. Congrats to: Elizabeth McCann - Dublin 8, Monica Pataki - Dublin 4, Sarah Dunne - Dublin 9 and Tara Murphy - Dublin 9. Your Bad Gal mascara, Lip Plump and Lemon Aid are en route!
Galway-born milliner Philip Treacy unveiled his latest creation earlier this week at Dublin's Dylan hotel. Inspired by Lyons Gold Blend Tea - the one-of-a-kind hat was specially made for the capitol's upcoming Taste of Dublin festival where it will be displayed, from June 11th, at the Lyons Gold Blend tent.
Looking to bag a bargain? Of course you are! Then check out the Mary Temperley jewellery sale at the Odessa Club on Friday, June 5th. This exclusive event is ideal for fans of the designer to swing some semi-precious swag from prices as low as €50. Make haste to that rooftop garden and check out the goods!
Ever since I opened my eyes to the wonder of charity shops, I've unearthed one gorgous gem after another. The latest addition to my cut-price couture collection is this divine Japanese kimono. It's a 100% silk real deal (check the 'made in Japan' label!) and was only...drum roll....€10! Looks fab belted up with a cami, skinnies and heels. I'm keeping the locale of this find under wraps but suffice to say it's on Dublin's second hand drag. Any guesses?
