Unfolding

"I'm right here

on the table

I'm a cross upon a seal

I'm not asking to be opened

I'm unfolding"

~ Balsamo/Deighton & Julian Wilson

In May this year, Country/Folk/Americana duo Balsamo/Deighton will be releasing their hugely anticipated debut album 'Unfolding'. Steve Balsamo and Rosalie Deighton have been writing beautiful music together for a number of years and they are very excited to be collaborating with PledgeMusic, a direct-to-fan music platform that brings artists and fans together, to share the experience of their music as it happens.

The talented duo have created some very special items and experiences for their Pledgers; not only can you pre-order their beautiful album on CD or vinyl, you can also get an opportunity to spend time with them in the studio, own a guitar they played on the album, get exclusive artwork, or even have a song written and recorded especially for you! All that, and so much more.

Steve has also designed an exclusive t-shirt for the ‘Unfolding’ project which will only be available to Pledgers. You all know that I am very partial to a great band tee and I am delighted to be the proud owner of the very first one! Featuring a picture of the talented pair and a poetical lyric from one of their beautiful songs, it is simply lush!

If you want to gain access to exclusive band content and see Pledger only updates that will give you a fascinating insight into Balsamo/Deighton's beautiful music, pop over to PledgeMusic here and get involved! The band will be donating 10% of any money raised after their goal is reached to Harry's Fund, a charity very close to their hearts.

And that's not all; thanks to the generosity of the band, one lucky reader can win their very own Balsamo/Deighton tshirt! All you have to do to enter this great giveaway is like Balsamo/Deighton's Facebook page and write a caption in the comments below this photo. The funniest and most original caption wins the super cool tee! The winner will be chosen at random by Steve & Rosalie and announced on Friday January 30th. Good luck!!!

Get The Look:

T-shirt: Balsamo/Deighton Band Tee (exclusive to PledgeMusic)

Skirt: Maje 'Glaise' Mini Skirt in red

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs Multi-strap Patent Leather Shoes

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

The Girl In The White Dress

 

"Look for the girl in the white dress,

with bloodstained lips.

Legend says that she is the keeper of your soul.

She is the one to keep you safe.

Can you see, through the trees?

She will seek you, she will heal you.

She will find you, through the trees"

~ Unknown

This beautiful white dress was designed by the extraordinarily talented Natalie B Coleman and is from her S/S15 collection 'Be Still My Bleeding Heart'. The collection is dedicated to Natalie's beloved Mother Bridie and it is beautiful, romantic and light. Made with luxuriously printed and textured fabrics, every single piece has been finished with Natalie's wonderful attention to detail.

When she is asked in interviews who the Natalie B Coleman customer is, Natalie always gives the same answer: she is the coolest girl in the room. That's exactly how I feel when I wear this dress. I feel cool, I feel very very cool.

I styled my dreamy white dress with a pair of classic Christian Louboutin shoes, a bright red lip and, inspired by Nena's iconic song, 99 (ok ok... 10... ish!) red balloons.

Get The Look:

Dress: Natalie B Coleman Circular White Insert Dress (available here from February)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' Shoes (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Oh Be-Hive!

My lovely Husband treated me to this gorgeous Manley jumper when we were last in Dublin. We were browsing in a beautiful little store called Bow, in my favourite shopping mall, the very picturesque Powerscourt Centre when I spotted it in the sale. Oh I can smell a Manley piece from a mile away!

The silk 'Hive' jumper features a round neck, 3/4 length sleeves & sits shorter at the front and longer at the back. The patent leather collar, hand cut with a scalloped edge, is such a standout detail. Big and bold, it is a talking point whenever and wherever I wear it! I have variations of this jumper in different colours; it is the perfect easy to wear piece that I can just throw on and I'm good to go.

I styled it here with slouchy boyfriend jeans, my trusty black satchel & a very cool pair of Brogues from online favourite ASOS. The two tone brogues add a touch of drama to a very laid back look.

Get The Look:

Jumper: Manley Hive Patent Jumper in black (similar)

Jeans: Current/Elliott 'The Roller' Boyfriend Jeans (similar)

Shoes: ASOS 'Marky' Two Tone Brogues (similar)

Bag: Cambridge Satchel Co. 11" Classic Satchel in black

I Want To Ride My Bicycle

 

Sugarhill Boutique is becoming a firm favourite of mine. I can't get enough of their cool designs, their cute, quirky prints and their purse friendly prices.

Their bicycle print shirt is quite simply one of the cutest shirt I have ever seen! I spied it in a fashion magazine & went online to buy it before you could say "Fifibaggins is a shopaholic". 

The baby blue chiffon shirt features a cute hand-drawn print of brightly coloured bicycles with baskets adorned with flowers, carrying cute little dogs. It has a concealed button front, with gold heart shaped buttons on the collar and cuffs and a cool, contrasting dusky grey collar.

For a chilled late afternoon walk I styled my cute shirt with my favourite J Brand jeans and a cool pair of Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots.

Get The Look:

Shirt: Sugarhill Boutique Bicycle Print Shirt (similar)

Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Stuart Witzman '50/50' Over-the-Knee Boots

Tis The Season

This is the very first Christmas jumper I've ever bought. I'm a bit obsessed with jumpers at the moment so it seemed right that I should get a festive one.

New Look have the best selection of Christmas jumpers this year hands down; from uber-Christmassy ones featuring Santa, Reindeer and Snowmen, to more subtle designs like this; the cute Penguins with their silver sequin panels nod to the time of year but I don't feel or look like a silly little Christmas Elf. It is the softest, cosiest jumper and I will be rocking it for many Christmases to come. You might even catch me wearing it after the holiday season!

I can't believe I didn't need a coat for this shoot; the Winter weather in dear ol' Blighty is gloriously mild for this time of year. I simply paired my jumper with my favourite J Brand skinny jeans and the best boots I've ever owned, the 50:50 over-the-knee boots by Stuart Weitzman.

Get The Look:

Jumper: New Look Sequin Penguin Print Christmas Jumper in cream

Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Boots: Stuart Weitzman 50:50 Over-the-knee Boots in black

In The Bleak Mid-Winter

"In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone"

~ Christina Rossetti

A coat is the one thing we'll wear more than anything else throughout the cold Winter months; so when investing in one, it is always good to go for a great statement piece. This gorgeous faux fur number by Unreal Fur definitely makes a statement!

Australian label Unreal Fur launched in 2012 and their luxurious and ethical alternative to fur is now stocked all over the world. The 'Candy Blossom' coat is made from completely synthetic fibres. Beautifully soft, it is cut for a relaxed fit. Cream in colour, it features a very sweet contrasting pink collar, an open front with hook & eye fastening, pockets to the side and is fully lined.

Karl Lagerfeld once said "you cannot fake chic, but you can be chic and fake fur". This delicious faux fur coat is the perfect chic cover-up to keep you warm and brighten up even the bleakest of Winter days.

Get The Look:

Coat: Unreal Fur Cherry Blossom Faux Fur Coat

Dress: Manley ‘Dakota’ Horseshoe Dress in pink (similar)
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Snapshot: T8T Massie

Snapped Wearing:

Dress: Twenty8twelve 'Massie' Dress

Shoes: Reiss 'Cedar' Sandals in tan

Jewellery: All jewellery from Tiffany & Co.