Whats’ in My Wardrobe – Florals (Part Three)

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.

Whats’ in My Wardrobe – Florals (Part Two)

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.

What’s in my Wardrobe – Florals (part one)

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.

SWEATER WEATHER

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?

Why Too Much Choice Is Too Much & What to Do About It

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.