Brown Thomas Style Sessions

This Saturday 1st May and Sunday 2nd May join me at Brown Thomas as I present a series of style workshop on summer weekend wear.

Get tips on how to create a versatile wardrobe that will carry you through the season and just about any occasion - wedding, races, BBQ, picnic, party, the possibility of a heat wave...
The Brown Thomas team and I will be on hand to help you choose the best pieces for your lifestyle and with handy pointers on how to maximise your wardrobe potential with a few simple accessories.

Info: www.brownthomas.com
Saturday 1st May: 12pm -1pm - 2pm - 3pm - 4pm
Sunday 2nd May: 1pm - 2pm - 3pm - 4pm - 5pm

Clickini Time!

I received my summer bikini in the post yesterday from Clickini.com. It's a Pistol Panties two-piece - very Betty Paige. I positively squealed with excitement when opening the gorgeous packaging. The high-waisted bottoms are perfect for a pear shape and feature a cheeky cut out and bow at the back. I'm thinking vintage sunnies, wedges and a pitcherful of Margarita to complete the look. Only six weeks and counting until I head off to sunnier climes. Until then, I'll be striking sexy Vargas girl poses in the mirror.

Bumper Giveaway!

I Blog Fashion is giving readers the chance to get a head start on summer with one of four bumper goody packs to be won. Each bag contains:

Girls (3):

Sally Hansen airbrush legs
Sally Hansen nail varnish
Kate Moss Vintage perfume
Rimmel nail varnish x 2
Rimmel bronzing powder
Rimmel liquid eyeliner
Rimmel kohl eyeliner
Rimmel lipstick x 2
Rimmel matte perfection foundation
NYC lip plumper
NYC mosaic face powder x 2 (large; small)
NYC eyeliner

Guys (1):

Beckham signature hair & body wash
Beckham signature Story eau de toilette
David Beckham Instinct eau de toilette
Adidas Ice Dive eau de toilette
Adidas shower gel x 1
Adidas hair & body gel x 2

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question:

Which supermodel is one of the faces of Rimmel?
a) Kate Moss
b) Naomi Campbell
c) Gisele Bündchen

Send your answer, name and address to iblogfashion (at) gmail (dot) com by Friday, April 30th. Winners will be posted on I Blog Fashion the following day.

Good luck!

CFW - Opera Lane Young Designer Award

It's shaping up to be an exciting week. In addition to hosting the Joanne Hynes SS10 trunk show, I'll also be on the judging panel of the Opera Lane Young Designer Awards. Joining me on the night will be designers Mia O'Connell and Clare O'Connor and Evening Echo fashion editor Emma Connolly. The winner will have the opportunity to display and retail their collection at Opera Lane which has become the hottest retail space in Cork city. Tickets (€20) are still available to buy from www.tickets.ie and at Origin Hair Design, Drawbridge Street. For further details log onto: www.corkfashionweek.com.

Joanne Hynes Trunk Show

With pop-up showcases the new style sobriquet, designer fare has never been more accessible. Take Joanne Hynes who is rolling out her Brown Thomas, Cork trunk show (021 480 5555) from April 15th to 25th. Pop in store on Saturday, April 17th where I'll be hosting an introduction to the Joanne Hynes SS10 collection featuring an interactive style workshop and one-to-one customer time with Joanne herself. For updates and events visit www.joannehynes.com.

Truvo.ie - Guest Judge

Check out my guest judge appearance today @ Dublin's Bow Boutique for Truvo.ie. Log on and share your opinion on local finds too!

The Fashion Bloggers' Brunch @ Milano's

A sunny Saturday afternoon warrants a good brunch, dontcha think? To honour the appearance of the orange ball in the sky, the Irish fashion bloggers hit up Milano's for some chow and chat. Antipasti and vino, followed by warm mushroom bosco salads and some rather fetch lemon gelato and tiramisu made us all giddy as gumdrops. The staff were super duper friendly and the goody bags were prodigious to say the least. Thanks to Coty for hooking us up with everything from Sally Hansen airbrush legs and nail varnie, Rimmel bronzer and N.Y.C. lip plumper (and that's just the start of it!). We'll be glowing like goddesses before the summer hols! Oh...Nicky's Rag Tales had a swell idea of taking the brunch on tour. Antwerp or New York anyone?

Unique Boutiques

Check out my article in The Sunday Times Style today on Unique Boutiques. Read how Anewspace, Indigo & Cloth, The Bernard Shaw, Joanne Hynes, Style @ Tankardstown and Bow Boutique are changing the future of shopping. It's all about concept and hybrid stores - some even come with a free cocktail. Prepare to embrace the new retail experience!

Move Over GaGa

Fashion gaydar alert! Once more Neil, I am humbled by your sartorial sixth sense. Your cheque is in the post...

P.S. A special mention to Neil's source - The WOW Report
P.P.S. Loving the turban although it has to be said, I've been working that trend like a Times Square pickpocket. Snaps to me!

From: Neil
To: Annmarie

The internet has finally cottoned on to a fierce new fashion diva rockin the Kasbah: it's the fabulously named Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Quatar, and the only thing longer than her name is her haute couture shopping list. And why not? What else do you do if you're wife number three? Her style rule is monochrome colours only and yes, while it may be easy to dress well when you're funded by two billion barrels of crude oil, nevertheless it's a refreshing change from GaGa's budget use of household duct tape or worse, thrifty art students. I'm off out to buy a lottery ticket...

Blog post here: http://worldofwonder.net/2010/04/08/Mo_Mozah_please/

More pics here:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2831089891_f6f60b38d2.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/06/23/article-0-0570E76D000005DC-878_468x787.jpg
http://static1.purepeople.com/articles/5/34/20/5/@/236989-cheikha-mozah-bint-nasser-al-missned-et-637x0-3.jpg

Pic: courtesy of The Wow Report - WOW indeed!

The Dubliner

Check out my new column in The Dubliner magazine - out today and every Thursday with The Evening Herald. What's more, the mag is FREE! That's 64 glossy pages of local finds and happenings including sartorial musings from the lady who brings you I Blog Fashion. Is that an intro or what? Go on, pick up a copy. You won't regret it.

Truvo.ie

Ever wondered where to find the best bling, quirky labels, designer discounts, fashionable fabrics, race-worthy hats and hard-to-find haberdashers? Well, look no further. Truvo.ie is a community review website for local services - a bit like your own little black book where users bring you the ultimate little black book. Speaking of which, I've delved into my own box of tricks to bring you my top fashion finds. What's more, I'll also be guest judging the site's must-enter competition for a group trip to Lisbon. Sign up now, start posting and be in with a chance to win. It's the contact list you'll wonder what you ever did without!

Absolut Style @ Set

Absolut Style @ Set was all that with a boozy cupcake on top this weekend. Special thanks goes to Blanaid Hennessy who organised the three decadent days of vintage fashion, film, interiors beauty and style masterclasses. Did I mention the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, bangin' DJ sets from The Style Bitches and Platinum Jones? Or the hair and make-up stations; candy floss, special sweet stands, groovy cocktails and alco-cakes? I'm tipsy just thinking about how much fun we had and how much I'm looking forward to hitting up the Set Theatre again when next in Kilkenny. Psst - look out for a place called Bridie's - a grocery store-come-speakeasy opening soon. Don't tell anyone I told you!

Hermes Does Street Style

Walking past Brown Thomas today I spied a street style-inspired window display. What really threw me is that it belonged to Hermes! It seems the cult of the Sartorialist has pierced its rarefied Gallic sanctum. Gotta say though, it rocks! I love the contrast between Hermes girl and woman - a clever way to 'em young with a medium the kids will understand. Look close enough at the pics and you'll see actual product integrated into the images. Can you guess what they've used? Make sure to stop and take a good look if you're passing by.