It’s the last day of 2017 and many of us are feeling retrospective, totting up what we did or didn’t do and where we currently stand on the gameboard of life. For some of us, it will be satisfying, for many of us, it will be a buzzkill. As mere mortals, we’re prone to a […]
There’s something deliciously deviant about stealing time for a swift half on a weekday afternoon. This made my Artful Dodger homage feel all the more appropriate. Granted, sitting outside in a bright rust ensemble doesn’t exactly lend itself to playing truant but it’s worth getting caught rapid. Putting an outfit like this indoors would be like putting Baby in a corner – totally uncool and punishable by the ghost of Johnny Castle. So, what exactly makes this outfit worthy of wardrobe hero status? Easy – corduroy.
If there was ever a good reason to twirl around the streets of Stoneybatter like a whirling dervish, it’s got to be this dress. Kindly gifted to me from the folks at Kahlo & Apfel boutique, this vintage lurex beauty has all the hallmarks of a solid gúna – cap sleeves, empire line silhouette and a killer colourway that makes the florals look more modern than mincing.
Now here’s another floral pattern I can get down with. This kimono jacket is from my pal Joanne Hynes’ most recent Dunnes Stores collection. Victorian gothic roses marching single file in electric yellow and blue across a satin landscape is my cup of semantically irreverent tea. Unabashed yet oh-so- pretty. What’s more, ‘it’s got legs’ as we say in the industry. In other words, there are multiple ways to wear it. I could harp on about how to do day in jeans and a t-shirt but where would the craic be in that? You know I’m a sucker for a polo neck and head-to- toe colour so it only seemed fair that we combine the two for this here look.
I’m not a floral kind of gal unless, of course, it’s winter. Being a hardy perennial more so than a darling bud, I feel aligned to the mercurial temperament of the darker months. That’s why this nocturnal 70s dress gives me all the feels. Purchased from a Canadian frockbroker on Etsy.co.uk, it’s the rare day that I’m not seen wearing it. It goes without saying that I’ve been trying to find new ways to pull the old switcheroo, if only to offset those ‘really, again?’ stares. Fun fact: it was real feel -3 degrees on the day of this shoot which made it the perfect opportunity for…you guessed it…layering! Remember my basic layering 101 in the culottes blog post? Well, consider this the intermediate course where I bend the rules – just a tad.
I love cashmere but I loathe its sense of entitlement. Those soft downy hairs that keep us warm in winter and cool in summer demand an expert touch. A bit delicate is our cashmere – which can be a total drag when it comes to wash day. Sure, there’s always a trade-off but does it need to involve a special brush, shampoo, conditioner and moth repellent?
When it comes to shopping, choice is a bit like salt. Small doses add flavour; anything more and you’re looking at high blood pressure. Too many options create anxiety and, in turn, weaken our decision muscle. The result? We either snuggle up to the security blanket of stuff or suffer option paralysis –fearful, in both cases, of choosing poorly.
I’m a sucker for comfort. I love snuggly things and would quite happily drape myself in a duvet were it socially acceptable to do so. Perhaps this is why I prefer working from home.
It’s the season of giving. Wonderful. No, really, it is. There’s just one thing that doesn’t quite live up to the hype – shopping. If you’re anything like me, malls at this time of year are tantamount to the 7 th circle of hell.
It is my pleasure to announce a special partnership between The Happy Closet and Irish brand Theo + George. Anchored in the premise of effortless living; the brand espouses, and lives up to, its values around minimalism, premium quality, sustainability and durability. Reliable wardrobe staples that wearers can get mileage out of combined with stylish, thoughtful yet functional touches.