Thrifty resolutions

My heart did a little plummet when hearing the news that Ireland is in a particularly difficult situation in this global economic downturn. We are to be faced with the worst economic situation in the country since records have began. I will not however sink into a self pitying mess, nor will I hide under my quilt until things magically amend themselves, mainly because no one can actually decide when this will be. SO, I have decided to become a frugal female. I have read that the key is not to deprive oneself, but to decide what is a priority. My priority..hmmm...food. Yes eating well is definitely top of my list, I just can not live on takeaways, although I do love them on occasion. My boyfriend is the most wonderful cook and that coupled with the fact we designate most of our money to this means we eat very well for college students.
To help with the need to tighten expenditure I will deal with different areas where one can cut down money spending in many posts. When you really start to make savings, you can spend a little more on what your priorities are.

Thriftwise Fashion
Do not, I repeat do not buy the very cheapest tights you can get your hands on, unless your experimenting with a crazy patterned pair. Often I have bought black tights for a euro, only to have a beautiful long ladder in them after one pair. Instead by good quality pairs which will last you much much longer. Recently I bought a pair in Claire's Accessories for 8 euro. Still very cheap and have lasted me several months already. If you buy dirt cheap items you are often loosing more money than you are saving. And for those of you that can work it just wear those ripped tights, when your tights rip you can go from primark tights to rodarte 2008 autumn winter style instantly.


Hone in on timeless pieces. I'm not saying you should go out and spent hundreds or thousands on the perfect LBD, even though it can be worn to an inch of it's life. Yes, it's a piece every girl should have but not at huge cost. I recommend Zara (see http://www.zara.com/), one of my very favourite black dresses is from there, cost 50 euro, and I'm working it for the third year running now. It is a truly fabulous store, currently the looks they are selling include rock, dark couture, folky ethnic and the silk road. Pieces from here often look designer, although the price tag definitely says otherwise. Zara was described by Louis Vuitton fashion director Daniel Piette as "possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world".



Two of my favorite black dresses; my debs dress inspired by a Jen Kelly design made by my incredibly talented mother and a black sequined number from Japan (the store)costing 40 euro.
Buy a good quality coat, one that is both durable and versatile. A high street store I recommend for this would be River Island. Three years ago I received a white River Island coat for Christmas and am still wearing it to this day. And it's WHITE, Imagine how long a black one would last. Be prepared to pay at least a 100 euro for a good coat, its a definite investment piece.
For those of you with a crafty touch visit http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/ for insanely cut ideas not only to enhance your wardrobe but also your home, beauty regime and baking collection. I can't wait to make the college handbags and tutus I found on these page, both accompanied with detailed and easy to follow instructions. Not to mention some very cute crafy ideas for valentines day including adorable heart shaped pom poms and crotched hearts to decorate your home with.


Images property of cutoutandkeep.net.

Swapping is irresistible fashion fulfillment and everyone in the know seems to be ravanging about it, do't be a snob about trading with others and accepting hand me downs, I have come across some real jems in doing so for example a black lace corset, my absolute favourite pair of cords and numerous cute tops where all gifted to me from a friend who no longer wore them. Swapping is the ultimate in fashion angelicism; it reduces waste, is free and makes a great socail outing if you go for a swappping party. Free entertainment and free additions to your wardrobe. What's not to love?
xox

Life is full of beauty

More and more frequently I come across people who spend day in day out complaining about life without justification. Life is full of tragedy and loss and hurt, but that is not what it is all about. There is so much beauty in the world that goes unnoticied and unappreciated. The next time I open my mouth to say something negative or hurtful I want to think twice about it pause and count my blessings. So many things give us happiness love, family, friends, art, comedy, chaity... here are a small sample of fashion, well in my eyes art, moments that have brought a smile to my face. Enjoy












The photos I have selected are predominatley Tim Walker, including a roald dahl insipered shoot. A photographic genius, my photographic idol. All his for Vogue are magical, whisimical, in excess, out of this world. It is as if dreams just spilll out onto the pages on which his photographs lie. Truely something to aspire to but never manage to match.
Share with me the things that make you smile and the fashion moments that transcend style or the catwalk into art in your eyes.
xox

Fashion trends spring/summer 09

Ecstatic about the new season, hopping to truly embrace some trend experimentation(while keeping through to my own style of course). For some reason I am always far more interested in spring/summer collections than winter. I actually am a winter girl myself, love snow, ice, woolly jumpers, earmuffs, hot chocolate and cossying up in front of a proper roaring fire. Despite that I don't get the same joy out of autumn/winter collections, there's just something more fresh, juicy and fun about summer clothes.It's probably all that extra colour!
Anyway, on to the key trends oh joy! Firstly heavy metals; gold, bronze and copper adorn clothes across the catwalks. Most notable for moi would be raulph laurens collection, safari inspired pieces in khaki and beige with lavish touches of shimmering fabrics. This outfit from the collection is by far my favourite; casual but with a serious hint of bling. Already inspired by this trend I have begun a simple gold raw silk dress made from large scrap of material found in my mothers sewing room. Only at the cutting out phase currently but keep posted for photos of the final product.



Colour blocking is another huge trend, that has left my mouth watering from the variety of juicy juicy colours. This trend I find is the easiest to follow on a budget, bearing in mind you'll need a fair measure of confidence. I recommend taking everything from your wardrobe that really pops with colour (single colour pieces necessary)laying it out on your bed and combining them in outrageous combinations. For instance I have a pair of hot pink short shorts I usually pair with a plain with top to tone it down. This season however I'll mix it up with a deep blue blouse or royal blue pumps. Try pairing those coloured skinny jeans that were so popular with an equally attention graping coloured jacket and white top. For me it's a about mixing existing items together in a way I hadn't previously tried.



Another very thriftable trend is Bows. If your really tight budgeted this is the trend I'd embrace. Firstly you need to source your bows; when doing my leaving cert I did my french oral on coco Chanel and on explaining this to the women at the Chanel makeup counter she gave me a small amount of the prettiest Chanel ribbon for free. It's black with little silver stars and Chanel embossed all over it and is perfect for tying a huge bow in my hair or chinching a cardigan or dress in a bow. Many stores tie there bags with ribbons, PJ's from primark often come tied in ribbon. Even purchasing ribbon is very cheap and you only need a small amount. Start a collection of these and when faced with a plain outfit simply adorn. Do as Daphne Guiness and attach ribbons to the shoulders of your dresses with brooches. If your not afraid of attraching clown themed jokes go for this Moschino idea and take a large rectangle of material, tie in a bow and attach to your outfit with a few hand stitches.



A slightly unusual but ever so fun trend is for mens pyjamas as seen at Dolce & Gabbana. Why I spend many a day lying around in my PJ's, I never realised I was being chic! Talk about thrifty! Run into your dad, bf, brother's room and leg it with their PJ's et voila! I do actually like this look, theres something quite cheeky about it and it gives you some serious style cred if you can carry it of in my eyes. I'd loose the PJ top personally, pick a deep red silky bottoms roll up the legs slightly and pair with loose black jersey tank and killer black fetish heels.



Tribal is a huge trend, one I really recommend mixing it up. Start with a simple tribal print or even just a plain khaki or dark green base and load up on details like animal prints, gold, fringing and heavy African inspired jewelry. Don't go to overkill though or you'll look like your on safari. Keep your heels and handbag simple, clean and urban and the shape of the outfit uncomplicated. I intend on giving into my crafty side here and creating unique accessories with large wooden beads and metal, not to mention trying a little battic! Seen everywhere from Louis Vuitton to Vivenne Westwood to Anna Sui. For those who want a very toned down look, try DKNY for inspiration, subtly done and very desirable.

Feedback on how these suggestions work for you are hugely welcome xox