Yummie Tummie™

Prefer to eat your muffins than wear them? Me too; although now that I'm wheat intolerant, I have to make do with gluten free macaroons. But hey, I digress. If you, like many women, are looking for a smooth silhouette sans lumps and bumps, a Yummie Tummie™ could be your answer. Created by fashion designer and celebrity stylist Heather Thomson, the new shapewear tops bear the appearance of a luxe tank or tee with the benefit of a firm control midsection panel. What's more, the clever fabric technology also acts like a yoga instructor, making you stand and look taller. I trust Heather. Having worked with J-Lo and Beyoncé, the woman knows a thing or three about how to dress real curves. Since nabbing one, I've been wearing mine under dresses and as a tank with jeans - blissfully delighted that my ribs aren't crushed and circulation cut off like some shapewear garments (ahem - you know who you are). I've now got my beady eyes on the lace tank - very AW09 - very mine! Get yours at Brown Thomas 01- 605 6666.

Armand Basi One @ Asos.com

It was one of the shows that I missed at London Fashion Week last season - and definitely missed out on. Armand Basi One's combo of fluid tailoring and sumptuous natural fibres lends itself to understated luxury. More to the point, a limited collection is available now at Asos.com. I'm loving this wool and angora asymmetric sweater dress at €257.68 and the cashemere blend harems at €321.77. As I am currently crunching my credit however, I'll have to maintain a healthy enthusiasm at a distance...where no one can see me sobbing. Sigh.

New Schuhs

Liking my Lady Gaga-inspired ankle boots? Me too - only I can't quite decide what to wear them with. Go totally 80s on it with leopard print leggings, tee and man blazer or simple with a shift dress. Decisions decisions. There's always the sequin hotpant combo - inside the house methinks.

The 12th Fashion Bloggers' Brunch

Another month - another Fashion Bloggers' Brunch. The location? M&S Grafton Street Rooftop Restaurant - complete with a birdseye gawk of Grafton Street and its pre-U2 tourist frenzy. Joining us this month were the Savvy Shopper, Perk Up Vintage and Blanaid.com. Whilst muching on nachos, sipping cava and decimating the world's yummiest fishcakes (yum-ness!), I got the D.L. on the best vintage markets in Paris (Offshoot), Topshop's €20 sale-tastic loafers (Savvy Shopper), Blue Eriu's new €15 fuchsia lippie balm (Ms. Scanlon) and deets on the next upcoming vintage fair (Perk Up). To cap things off a bit more bubbly was in order along with a delicious helping of Eton Mess. Oh...Perk Up also loaned me the most divine Charleston frock for an upcoming shoot. Two and a half hours later the convo continued until we realised...they'd be closing soon. As my mom always says, "know when to leave". Quite the task. Splendid. Very splendid indeed.

Miss Wax

For those who appreciate urban Americana miscellany (and who doesn't?), Miss Wax jewellery is bound to be right up your funky town. Founder Kylee Faus has produced some bitchin' bijou mostly of old vinyl records - hand-painted and assembled in Cali. I'm hearting majorly on the gas pumps. Too cute. And look out for limited edition Hellz Bellz collaboration ring and earring set dropping soon!

For Glove - Not Money

I got the most lickable email today about fingerless gloves. Yes that was 'lick'; not 'like'. Like is far too pedestrian a word for these beauties. But hardly your Claire's Accessories fare. This arm candy comes compliments of GlovedUp.com and its founder/designer Laura Shepherd. Worn by Anna Piaggi, Dita Von Teese, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, La Roux, Madonna, Peaches (the original; not Geldof); photographed by Mario Testino, Miles Aldridge, Solve Sundsbo, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh; styled by Arianne Phillips, Lucinda Chambers, Patti Wilson, Karl Templer; and featured in i-D, Harpers Bazaar, Numéro, Tatler , Vogue (UK, Italia, Nippon, Russia), and W amongst others, you could say this chick has arrived. Then why is something so delicious such a secret?
Says Laura "I work alone; a mega-multi-tasker. And I make most of the gloves myself. I fact I do everything Glovedup myself;the press, photography, website (www.Glovedup.com), and all the dull jobs too. It’s a DIY endeavour and I do it for glove - not money."
A total artist! Spread the word and your arms - and give Laura a big fashion hug. Air kissing is so done.

A Bathing Ape®

Cult Japanese streetwear brand - A Bathing Ape® - have relaunched their European flagship tore to London's Upper James' Street after a 6 month hiatus at Dover Street Market. The label's loyal fan base which includes artists Pharrell, Jay-Z and The Beastie Boys, will no doubt be queueing as per usual for its ltd. ed. tees, jeans and hoodies. Oh, and keep an eye out for some new watches, ties, socks and undies too.

A Bathing Ape® - 4 Upper James Street, London, W1F 9DG.

Lamé- the New Sequins

Just when the AW09 trends hit the rails, people like me start complaining. I'm sorry but I'm kind of done with the whole sequin shtick already. Maybe it's the posthumous MJ association; or the fact that every Menkes, Schulman and Wintour will be rocking the trend but I'm having none of it. Instead I've opted for these bitchin' lamé capri pants in 70s-tastic paisley. Loud? Perhaps. Pair it with a tailored black blazer and you've got instant outre appeal. I'm trial-running these at Saturday's Fashion Bloggers' Brunch. Accessorised with fruit and a mimosa - how very louche!

Xpose - Star Buy

Tune into Xpose tonight (TV3; 6pm) where Glenda and I talk about this week's 'Star Buy'. Hint? Prepare to channel your inner rock chick. This one is B-I-G for AW09. Oh - and the 'shoulders are the new boobs' quip comes compliments of fellow blogger and style seer Angela Scanlon!

Hemyca at London a la Mode

Vauxhall Fashion Scout first introduced us to the avant-garde goodies of indie Brit label Hemyca. Attracting over 600 people at last season's London Fashion Week, the Blighty bunch looks set to follow suit with its SS/10 "Mirrors and Echos" collection at London a la Mode. The pop-up showcase will also be featuring up-and-coming designers such as Harriet's Muse, Alexandra Groover and Neurotica. The launch party kicks off on August 3rd at 'The Fellow' with DJ sets from U&E and PSI; not to mention some spesh goody bags. Don't miss it!

Slow News Week

Ah the languid days of summer. Otis Reading sat on the dock of a bay, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince put their car on the cruise; while the Isley Brothers rolled around in some mental jasmine. Sweet. Unless of course you're a fashion journo with absolutely zilcho news to report. Nada. Nothing to see here folks. That's right, mosey along. With the sales wrapping up, sun holidays taken and festivals petering out, I therefore decided to amuse myself with something of my own making. Check out my homage to Dexy's Midnight Runners. What used to be a 5-year old safe Gap jacket is now a bitchin' piece of 80s retro nostalgia. Who said I shouldn't be left on my own?

Sunday Love In

Whether you're nursing a Saturday hangover, tucking into a roast or flatlining to the Eastenders Omnibus (p.s. what gives with Stacey's hair?), remember one thing- Maser Loves U. It's true. If you believe the graffiti snogging our city's building facades, Mr. Maser is crushing majorly on us lot. I feel a t-shirt collaboration somewhere in the ether. Gotta be some slogan love somewhere for our favourite tagster.

Shoe Perving

The shoe perv is back - this time with a studded peep toe shoot courtesy of Kurt Geiger. Standing a lofty 5 inches tall, these beauties take fetish footwear to undisclosed heights. I like to rock it out with a harem jumpsuit, heavy gold link chains and a cut-off denim jacket. The result - instant Springsteen / high fashion homage! How outre clever of me...

Brown Thomas AW09 Collection

Excuse the posting hiatus. There's been much a flutter in fashion these weeks with AW09 collections being dropped like An Bord Snip. The most squiffy of all had to be that of Brown Thomas which now includes new collections from Kidman favourite L'Wren Scott, uptown deity Jason Wu and Victoria Beckham. This gem to the left comes courtesy of Ms. B weighing in at€3,200 - a hefty price for a waif. Having said that, it's architectural elegance is worthy of a red carpet and a 5"10'; UK size 8 who could do it justice. For pockets less commodious, The Shoe Rooms boast a fierce selection of Kurt Geiger heels, Betsey Johnson hosiery and Monica Vinader rings and be sure to mark Septemer in your diaries as a little surprise hits the Fine Jewellery Hall. Let's just say a gem bar might be in the offing. V exciting. A bit like letting a kid loose in a sweet store - so long as someone else is paying that is!

Freedom Galway - Sale!

Global warming may be giving us the cold shoulder but those summer sales are still worth a look in. Take Galway's Freedom boutique (Level 2 Eyre Square SC; 091 865 989) - a must-visit for barganistas who like good basics. Roxy, Diesel, Bench, Quicksilver, Crosshatch, Outrage and Drunken Monkey are just some names in their cool label cache reduced to as low as €25. What's more, there's not a sarong or flip flop in sight; just perennial hoodies, jeans and snazzy separates that will justify the urge to splurge. We likey. Yes indeed.

Freedom, Level 2, Eyre Square SC; 091 865 989. Sale on now!

The Races

I'm off to the races tomorrow - the Darley Irish Oaks to be precise. Being the organised gal that I am, I have my flutter threads at the ready. Vintage black dress - tick; Fly Now pierrot silk jacket - tick; snakeskin heels - tick; Queen Alexandra-inspired pearl dog collar - tick; RSI-inducing cocktail ring - tick; clutch bag - tick. Am I missing something? Deliberately - perhaps. There's no way you'll find this filly in a fascinator. No siree. My quest to abolish the offending article continues. If you hear of any arrests at the Curragh for aggravated assault that would be me wrenching feathers from the heads of the offending. I've got my work cut out for me.

The Cellulite Challenge - 33.3 centimetres lost!

Apologies for the hiatus. My laptop melted and left me offline for a week. Funnily enought, that's not the only thing that's melted. I finished the course of my Meditech treatments this Wednesday and the final results are in. Drumroll please.... I've lost a total of 33.3 centimetres off both thighs! Check out the before and after results below. In the meantime, I'll be running around Kimmage in my bikini!

Left top thigh: was - 62.3; now - 55.5 = 6.8 loss
Right top thigh: was - 63.5; now - 56 = 7.5 loss

Left mid thigh: was - 53.7; now - 46.7 = 7 loss
Right mid thigh: was - 53.2; now - 47.5 = 5.7 loss

Left end thigh: was - 42.1; now - 39 = 3.1 loss
Right end thigh: was - 42.2; now - 39 = 3.2 loss

Left thigh loss = 16.9 cms
Right thigh loss = 16.4 cms