Cherry Blossom

"Are we to look at cherry blossoms only in full bloom, the moon only when it is cloudless? To long for the moon while looking on the rain, to lower the blinds and be unaware of the passing of spring—these are even more deeply moving. Branches about to blossom or gardens strewn with faded flowers are worthier of our admiration"

~ Yoshida Kenko, Essays In Idleness

The hottest fashion label of the moment is Rixo London. Offering timeless pieces with a retro 70s feel, their collections can be seen gracing the pages of all the best fashion magazines, and they have become the go-to favourites of fashionistas and celebrities alike. Everyone wants a piece of Rixo.

For their Fall '17 collection, the brands founders Henrietta and Orlagh got their inspiration from Shanghai chic, with vintage inspired pieces adorned with moons, clouds, bamboo, brightly coloured blossoms, and hand-painted jungle prints. I won't lie, I fell in love with the entire collection, but the 'Alanna' dress, with its bold yet sophisticated print, was the hero piece for me. Cut from silk-jacquard, the dress is panelled with cherry blossom florals in vibrant, contrasting colours. Fine pleats at the waist, and gathering under the bust are a nod to kimono styles, while the buttoned cuffs and shorter hemline add a modern, contemporary touch.

I jazzed my dress up even more by pairing it with an equally vibrant Rixo star print neckscarf. I love the unexpected clash of colours and prints. A simple pair of flats and some 70s inspired accessories were the finishing touches to a show-stopping look that is full of Eastern Promise.

Get The Look:

Dress: Rixo London 'Alanna' Mini Dress in cherry blossom
Scarf: Rixo London 'Alexa' Mini Star Print Neckscarf

Shoes: Ops and Ops No. 10 Bronze Flats

Earrings: Blue Nile Gold Hoop Earrings
Sunglasses: Chloe Square Framed Acetate Sunglasses in taupe
Photos: Jason Connery ©

La La Land

"Floating like a feather in a wide open space

Landing in a perfect happy place

Hello world, we're here again

Living life in La La Land"

~ The Go Go's

A visit to Los Angeles last week really brought out the LA girl in me. I completely embraced the casual, laid back vibe of that beautiful City, and this was very much reflected in the way I dressed. I wore slouchy tees, relaxed track pants, frayed denim shorts, distressed jeans, cute rompers, and loose, breezy dresses to compliment my loose, tousled hair. It was all about understated chic, and I absolutely loved how unfussy and free I felt and looked.

This cute dress, by Joie's diffusion range Soft Joie, encompasses that California vibe perfectly. Featuring an all over red diamond print, the blouson top, rolled up sleeves, and short flounced skirt give it a casual yet sophisticated feel for a very free-spirited look. It's the kind of effortless dress you simply throw on week in and week out. Perfect for lunch with the girls, a romantic date night with someone special, or as seen here, a day of sandy toes and salty kisses on a beautiful Los Angeles beach.

Of course I added a little bit of Irish to my outfit with my favourite Manley bag; you can take the girl out of Ireland etc etc. This gorgeous embellished bag gets a lot of attention whenever and wherever I use it, but LA girls fell so deeply in love with the bag I could barely keep up with the never ending stream of questions I was asked about it!

A great pair of sunglasses (an absolute must in Los Angeles) and metallic flats (whipped off so I could feel the warm sand between my toes) were the final touch to achieve perfect California cool.

Get The Look:

Dress: Soft Joie 'Acey' Dress in chilli pepper

Shoes: Ops & Ops No. 10 Bronze Flats

Bag: Manley 'Parker' Bag in wine python

Sunglasses: Perverse 'Selena' Cat-Eye Sunglasses in black

Queen Of The Underground

"I know you think you're the Queen of the underground

And you can send me dead flowers every morning

Send me dead flowers by the U.S. Mail

Say it with dead flowers in my wedding

And I won't forget to put roses on your grave"

~ The Rolling Stones

Anita Pallenberg was the undisputed, original rock chick; she was an actress, model, style icon, and muse to The Rolling Stones, indeed she played a crucial role in honing the iconic bands mystique. She was the baddest of the bad girls, the original Queen of the underground.

Fashion designer Bella Freud says of her late friend, “If I’m slightly lost about where I want to be with a collection, I think about her and there’s an immediate electricity which happens.”  She designed a t-shirt and a jumper (here) dedicated to Pallenberg, a beautiful gesture to acknowledge her influence. The very cool 'Anita' t-shirt is made from soft white cotton and features a round neckline, short sleeves, and a multi-coloured screen print to the front. It is the perfect tribute to the late, great Anita. I wear it with jeans, shorts, long skirts, short skirts, over dresses, under dresses; it is a fantastic piece, with endless styling potential.

I styled it here with a simple pair of flat shoes by Ops & Ops. Based on an original 1960s design, the retro inspired shoes add to the rock and roll vibe of the tshirt. The No. 10 flats are handmade in Portugal from the finest leather. Made to fit like a glove, they are unlined and mould to your foot with wear. They come in every colour you can imagine. The soft metallic shimmer of this bronze pair, was achieved by rubbing the coated leather. They subtly change colour depending on the light, making them neutral enough for day, and sassy enough for night.

A old pair of worn denim shorts and dramatic cats-eye sunnies complete my Anita inspired look to perfection.

Get The Look:

Tshirt: Bella Freud Anita Tshirt in white

Shoes: Ops & Ops No. 10 Bronze Flats

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Sunglasses: Target Cats-Eye Sunglasses in black

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Oh Buoy!

"There is something singular in the rhythms of the bell buoy,

as it rings in the wake of an unknown vessel already passing on to its destination"

~ Charles Pierre

Nautical styles are always in fashion and there is a very romantic image of life on the sea, or olden-day Summers spent on the French Riviera associated with a Sailor inspired look. From the classic striped Breton, to pea coats, anchor prints, and cosy fishermen jumpers, the nautical look is an easy, fun trend to embrace.

This See By Chloe silk playsuit is Riviera style chic at its best. A very modern take on the Seafarer trend, it has a relaxed, straight fit, with contrasting white embroidered trims. The zip front, prim point collar and tassel-ended neck tie add a 70s feel. Tan accessories would enhance this retro look perfectly.

For a much more laid-back edge I styled my nautical number with a classic pair of white Converse, a cute Doll Face bag by Lulu Guinness, cheap as chips Cat's eye sunglasses from High Street favourite Target, and the result is a look that is fresh, clean and chic. Whatever your take on the trend is, it's time to baton down the hatches, and jump on-board! A keg of rum is optional.

Get The Look:

Playsuit: See by Chloé Silk Crepe de Chine Playsuit in navy

Shoes: Converse All Star Low Tops in white

Bag: Lulu Guinness Lulu Doll Face 'Marcie' Bag

Sunglasses: Cat's Eye Sunglasses in black

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 ©