Layla

"What'll you do when you get lonely?

And nobody's waiting by your side?

You've been running and hiding much too long.

You know it's just your foolish pride.

Layla,

You've got me on my knees, Layla.

I'm begging, darling please, Layla.

Darling won't you ease my worried mind"

~ Eric Clapton

Even with a closet full of clothes, it's sometimes easy to feel like you have nothing to wear, so I love when I can pull an outfit together with minimalist effort. That's exactly what you get with this great dress by Manley.

The 'Layla' mini has become a staple in Manley designs, reappearing in collections season after season in different colourways, varying lengths, and even as beautiful blouses, to the delight of all Manley fans.

I love it's simplicity, and already have a couple of the blouses in black and orange, and dresses in vibrant blue and rich burgundy. I wear them everywhere. It's easy to dress 'Layla' up or down, making it perfect for almost any occasion, be it weddings, schmancy restaurants, or fun laid-back evenings with friends in the pub. It's a timeless piece, a very modern take on the classic shirt dress; easy, effortless, classic and chic.

Get The Look:

Dress: Manley 'Layla' Dress in powder pink (different colourways available here here and here)

Bag: Manley 'Parker' Bag in wine Python

Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige
Sunglasses: Target Cat's Eye Sunglasses (similar here here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Through His Eyes

“In this fake world, with his love so true

And him always by my side, it feels so good..

False images everywhere, world full of lies

I see my true self in his enticing eyes.... “

~ Rohit Sharma

Photos: Photos: Jason Connery ©

Get The Look:

Manley

Valentino

PSC Brand

Miranda Dunn London

Lulu Guinness

See by Chloe

Bella Freud

Donna Ida Denim

Gucci

Rixo London

Studio 54

"At studio 54, they’re waiting at the door

Can't get in - just can’t win.

This is New York by night, this is New York by night

So get ready for the time of your life"

~ Dennis Parker

Donna Ida Thornton’s 1973 Collection was inspired by the year she was born, and features retro styles with Californian vibes and soft, feminine styling. '73 was a pivotal year; it was a time of technological innovation, unique styles featuring bright, bold colours and patterns. It was a time of change across the political landscape, and great diversity in popular music. It was a time of individuality, when beautiful people partied the night away at the now infamous Studio 54.

Vibrant colours, inspired by the 70s disco look, feature on this aptly named 'Studio 54' noir cashmere knit. The fabulous sweater, with its loose fit, subtle balloon sleeves, and 6 colourful lurex stripes on the right arm, is a great modern take on a retro look. The off-the-shoulder detail gives it just the right amount of sexy and sweet.

Have fun styling the 'Studio 54' sweater with skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, leather trousers, and cute skirts of all shapes and lengths - it goes with everything. I teamed it here with my favourite denim skinnies, and dressed it up a notch or two with great heels, and a beautiful embellished bag.

Get The Look:

Jumper: Donna Ida Studio 54 Cashmere Knit in noir rainbow

Jeans: Frame Le Skinny De Jeanne Cropped Skinny Mid-Rise Jeans

Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige

Bag: Manley 'Parker' Bag in wine python

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Serene In Green

"Green is serene.

This colour of nature

resurrects in early spring

to paint our landscape again,

from drab brown to soft fern haze."

~ Unknown

My school uniform was green. I wore it every day for most of my childhood, so when I reached adulthood, there was a long period of time when it was the last colour I would choose to wear. Thankfully I have long outgrown that silliness and I now love to wear green. This sage green beauty by Manley is a firm favourite.

Versatile 'Tabby' can be worn as a mini shift dress or a sleeveless jacket for layering, making the styling potential endless. Made from textured silk, it features bottle green leather inserts with scalloped edges on the pockets, shoulders, and down the length of the back. Each leather strip is embellished with hand cut flowers in green, silver, pink, and yellow. 'Tabby' comes in pink or green colourways, and with or without the embellishment.

I'm wearing the green, embellished 'Tabby' as a dress for this post. I styled her with the Valentino shoes of dreams and a cute feathery clutch bag.

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Tabby' Dress/Coat in green with embellishment

Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige

Bag: ASOS Feather Clutch (similar)

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Happy Coat

"I made my song a coat

Covered with embroideries

Out of old mythologies

From heel to throat;

But the fools caught it,

Wore it in the world’s eyes

As though they’d wrought it.

Song, let them take it

For there’s more enterprise

In walking naked"

~ William Butler Yeats

I love faux fur, and over time I have worn and written about a number of faux fur coats and jackets (see here) on my blog. Topshop, ASOS, and higher-end brands like Shrimps, and Unreal Fur have shown us how to rock the trend, with their cool, colourful designs. Miranda Dunn's 'Happy Coat' is *the one* though. This is the faux fur coat all the fashionistas want. It has been seen on celebrities such as Fearne Cotton and Emilia Fox, on bloggers, stylists, and now, I am delighted to say, on me.

The 'Happy Coat' is a bespoke piece. It is hand cut, and can be personalised with your initials (two or three letters - or plain if you prefer) to the back. It is fully lined in a beautiful contrast satin lining, it has two pockets, and gold metal fur clips to fasten to the front. The coat can be made in pale pink, black, navy, bottle green or camel, and for the lettering you have a choice of cream, leopard, pale pink or pale blue.

I had my coat made in black with my initials boldly emblazoned in dramatic leopard print across the back. My initials are FU (think about it, it can take a moment to sink in!) and that causes no end of merriment every time I wear this gorgeous coat! And in case you were wondering; yep, I was absolutely melting shooting this coat in the middle of a boiling hot Summer in New York City. It was worth every single sweaty moment though, to wear such a magnificant coat, and I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to let you know that Miranda is taking pre-orders now for AW17 coats.

Get The Look:

Coat: Miranda Dunn London 'Happy Coat' in black / leopard print

Dress: Manley 'Layla' Dress in powder pink
Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige  

Sunglasses: Cat's Eye Sunglasses

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 ©