One More Time With Feeling

"Your stitches are all out

But your scars are healing wrong

The helium balloon inside your room has come undone

And it's pushing up at the ceiling

And the flickering lights it cannot get beyond"

~ Regina Spektor

Having recently bought a breathtakingly beautiful dress from The Vampire's Wife (blogged here), an upcoming special occasion in Dublin encouraged me to splash out and treat myself to another one of their amazing designs. I adore this dress, but I think the Universe was trying to tell me not to buy it. I didn't listen however, so of course everything went wrong.

First, my usual size didn't fit me (the silk organza lining in this particular design makes for a much tighter fit than normal, with no give in it whatsoever), so I returned it and exchanged it for a bigger size. Then, as most of the dress was now too big for me, I had to take it to a Tailor for alteration. That was the biggest mistake. Three fittings and many weeks later, I have been left with a dress that doesn't fit me properly at all. It went from being huge, with tons of material for the Tailor to play with, to now only just closing on me if I breathe in deeply enough, with a waistline that sits somewhere between my natural waist and my boobs, making me look rather top heavy. There's not enough dress left to alter it any further so I will forevermore have to diet for at least a month before wearing it so that my hips and tummy (both small by anyone's standards) can comfortably fit inside. I'll saying nothing about the rather snug boob area. Needless to say, I wasn't able to wear it to the special occasion in Dublin (if you're curious, I wore this instead), and I simply can't justify the cost of replacing the beautiful dress.

All that being said, it really is the most fabulous thing, and had the Tailor done a decent job with the alterations, it would undoubtedly be right up there with my favourite dresses of all time. Midi in length, it features a classic pink floral Liberty print. The three-quarter length sleeves are edged with silk metallic chiffon ruffles, and this detail is followed through to a hemline of yet more softly gathered golden frills. It is romantic feminine girly chic at its absolute best. No one does that quite like The Vampire's Wife.

Paired with hot pink satin sling-backs, this is an outfit I should thoroughly enjoy wearing, but I get weary holding my tummy in and not being able to eat, or indeed breathe in it. It all looked so good on paper; the dress is me to a tee, it's by one of my favourite brands of all time, and it is quite literally the dress of dreams. Hey ho. Maybe I'll listen more closely to what the Universe is trying to tell me next time.

By the way, if anyone can recommend a good Tailor, please let me know!

Get The Look:

Dress: The Vampire's Wife Pink Floral and Gold Metallic Cotton Dress

Shoes: Gina 'Martini' Peep-Toe Shoes in fuchsia (similar here here and here)
Bag: Dirty Fabulous Vintage Beaded Clutch Bag in ivory (similar here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Get Your Sparkle On

“Get your sparkle on,

Show this world where you belong

All it takes is a little faith

Believe it

Get your sparkle on,

Listen to your heart,

And feel it beatin' strong

When you're in doubt,

Glitter it out

Every time”

~ Unknown

If you normally save your sparkles for Christmas and New Year, then get ready for a big change, because decadence is officially back and doesn't care what time of year it is. The S/S18 Catwalks have been awash with shiny, twinkly, glittery detailing, proving that sparkles can be worn any time, any place, anywhere.

I’m no stranger to a shiny sequin (see here and here), and when I saw this sexy, shimmery little number from Nicole Richie’s House Of Harlow brand (an exclusive collection for Revolve), I had to have it. It screams Studio 54 and the heady days of 1970s disco. Unapologetically glamorous, this all-over embellished dress, with its deep V neckline and sky-high hem, is a dazzling piece to wear on those extra-special going out out nights.

More is definitely more this season, it’s time to shimmer and sparkle, so embrace the trend, and shine bright like a diamond.

Get The Look:

Dress: House of Harlow 1960 ‘Elaine’ Dress in silver fox

Shoes: Christian Louboutin ‘Very Prive’ Shoes in black  

Bag: Dirty Fabulous Vintage Clutch Bag in ivory (similar here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Disco Daze

“Disco daze

Dance with me

Zone out in a trance with me

It’s like nothing even matters

Spinning in the haze

Turn the music up

We’ll get lost in a disco daze”

~ Darien Martus

“Disco days will never die, not with 'Coco' by your side” say Rixo London about the hero piece from their latest collection. Inspired by the heady days of 1970s discos, the dress is the perfect, full-on party look to dazzle in this season.

Made from a lightweight nude tulle, 'Coco' is embellished with sparkling sequins in candy shades that cascade from the boat neck to the midi hemline. The long billowy, blouson sleeves, side slits, and semi-open back that reveals just a hint of skin, literally screams glitz and glamour.

I wore Coco on New Years Eve in New York and I felt like a million dollars in such a head turning number. The compliments were flying almost as high as my confidence. There is nothing understated about this showstopper; it has party season written all over it, and is quite literally the dress of dreams.

Get The Look:

Dress: Rixo London ‘Coco’ Multi-sequin Dress

Bag: Dirty Fabulous Vintage Clutch Bag in ivory (similar here and here)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle 100' Shoes in nude

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Pink Tinsel

"As I, a puppet tinsel-pink

Leap on my springs, learn how to think

Till like the trembling golden stalk

Of some long-petalled star, I walk

Through the dark heavens, and the dew

Falls on my eyes and sense thrills through"

~ Edith Sitwell

Pink tinsel isn't just for Christmas. Pink tinsel is forever. Especially when it comes in the form of this 1960s inspired dress by Irish Designer Emma Manley. From the moment I saw it, I thought Mary Quant, Twiggy, The Beatles, The Stones, all things swinging 60s. The loose A-line fit, the short, easy to wear length, no sleeves - it's reminiscent of a decade where hemlines rose, and a much bolder approach to colour went hand in hand with young women who were moving away from the stuffy, matronly clothes of the 50s.

Only the coolest, retro bag would work with this beauty, and a visit to Dirty Fabulous Vintage in Dublin led me to this divine beaded clutch. If you ever find yourself in Dublin's Fair City, you simply must visit this one of a kind store. From the moment you are buzzed through the doors you enter a fashion Wonderland. I could have stayed there all day, and bought literally everything on their shop floor. It is a magical place, full to bursting with a cornucopia of vintage treasures; a shopping experience not to be missed.

I finished off my look with possibly the most beautiful shoes I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. Valentino's now iconic Rockstuds are a masterclass in contemporary cool. The modern style perfectly compliments the retro look of the bag and the dress. I'm ready to shimmy now, I'm ready to shine; I told you pink tinsel wasn't just for Christmas.

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Parker' Dress in pink tinsel

Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige 
Bag: Dirty Fabulous Vintage Clutch Bag in ivory (similar)
Photos: Jason Connery ©