1 TOP, 4 LOOKS

I picked up this light little top in Penney’s today. I just loved the bright colours and thought it would be perfect for summer (if we ever get one!) It has so many different colours that it could work well with, pastel pink, denim, brown and of course white! I decided to have a little root in the wardrobe and see what different outfits I could come up with! Scroll down to have a look! 

First off,  these dusty pink trousers I got last year from new look and nude heels. I think this would be fab going to a confirmation or communion party. I love this bag, I got it in the DKNY shop in Kildare Villagw for an absolute steal last year! Such a nice colour bag for springtime 🌸

I wasn’t sure if this look would work but I actually really like it. There’s a small bit of the brown/tan colour in the top that matches well with the skirt, I got the skirt in Villa (Feb ‘18) and the white blazer is Penney’s (March ‘18) The shoes are crazy old...so old they’re coming back into fashion 🙈

This is just such a basic, casual, easy look, just through the top on with jeans and trainers and you’re good to go! I got the top in size 10 so it’s nice and floaty. 

I adore my pink puma trainers...Annabel has a matching pair! 💕 

I live in white jeans during the summer! I generally buy a few pairs in Penney’s at the start of the summer. I’ve a pair of old strapped rose gold sandals and a dusty pink jacket I got in Zara last year. I always maintain you need a good selection of coats in Ireland for over outfits because of our weather! 

The earrings are also Penney’s, I got them a while ago too. So you can really see how one top can fit in nicely with so much already in my wardrobe :) 

The last picture you can spot Annabel lying on the bed watching her tablet and chatting away to me! :) 

What I Wore... 21/05/2016

Hi everyone, just a short post about what I wore to the Bloggers Conference in the Marker Hotel last Saturday. As you've probably spotted, bomber jackets are in all the shops at the moment. I picked mine up in Vera Moda last week, you can shop it here . I know you can't really see the trousers in the picture but, they are leather look ones, also from Vera Moda, I got mine a while back but they are still in stock, you can shop them here. 

Bomber jacket from Vera Moda

I also picked up a pair of jeans in a kind of pinky/peachy colour that I think will match the jacket quite well..... shop here.

Jeans to match from Vera Moda

What do you think of bomber jackets?? Yay or Nay? :)

Week 2 of Summer Holidays...

Our Week In Pictures 

So I hadn't intended on doing my week in pictures but after seeing last weeks I kinda like it, so here we go, this past week this is what we got up to!

We went to Kilkenny (without kids!!) Saturday night for a family members birthday. It was a great night away, we ate in Rinuccini's and had an area reserved in The Left Bank.....

 We did some gardening...

We went for lots of long walks in the countryside....bliss....

I went to a shoe event in Korkys in the Ilac Centre....

Here are some of the fab outfits styled by Justine King....

We brought the kids to Kildare Maze in Prosperous, Co. Kildare. It was fantastic, I would highly recommend it as a family day out! 

We had a busy morning of painting, blowing bubble and lots of water play in the sink, the toddler really loved it! I will definitely be doing more water play with him...

We went for a lovely breakfast in Miller&Cook in Mullingar, it was very tasty....

And we had a great world cup party!! Senan was party planner extraordinaire, its amazing how much a 9 year old can actually do when given the responsibility! It was great fun and we were delighted Germany won...

How are you summer holidays going??

My sisters wedding!!!

This was a long waiting, HUGELY anticipated event! There are 4girls and 2boys in my family and this was the FIRST family wedding! Bernadette is the the eldest of the bunch and to make it even more exciting Bernadette along with my younger brother and sister were all travelling home from Australia for the special day! It was the first time in years that the 6 of us were actually together again! 

Myself and my two sisters were bridesmaids and Bernadettes friend was Maid of Honor. A lovely lady in Swords made our bridesmaid dresses. They were fab, so comfy, elegant and flattering! The lace back was amazing! 

We got our tan and shellac nails done in Totally You in Mullingar, both turned out perfect! Our hair was by Aggie and Elaine in Stylemasters Mullingar, I adored my hair! And the makeup was by Annemarie who is based in Athboy,,, again she did an amazing job! I loved the morning of pampering! 

Before....

After....

My son was Page boys and his suit was hired from Galvins Menswear in Mullingar, he looked so handsome and loved his role for the day! The baby (really a toddler now!) didn't actually go to the wedding but he had a cute tshirt from Next and navy chinos from Dunnes Stores for a little photo! 

We were blessed with the weather, the sun shone all day. The reception was in Glasson House and Country Club, not far outside Athlone. It was a stunning location, I might do another post on the reception, there's just so much to cover on a wedding day!!

We all had a ball and danced the night away. Bernadette was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, and I wish her and her lovely husband Keith a long, happy, prosperous life together x 

Punchestown Races 2014

Myself and my 3 sisters went to the Punchestown Races recently. (That's me in the bright blazer). I had such a fun day, and being honest I really wasn't looking forward to it! 

On the Thursday night we went to see Ross O Carroll-Kelly's hilarious show Breaking Dad in the Gaiety. I LOVED it! We stayed in the Hilton Double Tree on Burlingtin Road. It was fab! (and my first full nights sleep in months because my 19 month old boy doesn't sleep through the night!) 

So, Friday morning we got ready in the hotel and headed to Naas, only to sit in traffic for an hour because of a burst water pipe! 

But we got there! Amy Huberman got stuck in the same traffic and had to get a Garda escort as she was announcing the winner of 'Most Stylish Lady'. 

The style was amazing,,, it was like 10 weddings rolled into one!! Really the horse racing didn't hugely interest me as much as the style did!! 

Rozanna Purcell and Nuala Carey scouted for 10 finalists, there was a real variety of different looks. I loved the stories behind each outfit. Amy Huberman announced Emer Flanagan as the winner. 

I also really loved Amy's outfit for the day. After the The Most Stylish Lady we concentrated on picking some winners! I always think races are more run if you back some horses, I usually pick which I'm going to back by their names! I didn't have any big winners but I think I just about broke even and had a great day in the process....now to check out when and where the next Ladies Day is!! 

Mothers Day

On  Mothers Day myself and a friend went to a fashion show in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin in aid of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. 

I did feel a tiny bit of guilt that I wasn't spending it with my 2 boys,,,or my own mother for that matter, but I had such a great day I felt at least it was worth it!! And Senan told his teacher on Monday my mothers day present was a day off from him and his brother...kids, they'd hang ya!! 

Anyhow, back to the fashion show! Claire Byrne was MC for the afternoon, she looked great! We had a drinks reception followed by a very tasty dinner. The smoked salmon on brown bread starter was my favourite, dinner was chicken with potatoes and veg, I felt like the country came out in me, I could have done with a few more spuds!! For dessert we had coffee and chocolates, just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth and not feel too guilty! 

Next up was the Arnotts Fashion Show, styled by Cathy O Connor. It was lovely to see all the bright colours! Lots of fab style, a lot it cobalt blue on show and a good variation between casual outfits and dresses etc. 

After the fashion show prizes were handed out, a lady at our table won first prize, a signed Irish rugby jersey, hand delivered by Rob Kearney himself! She was delighted-I can't blame her, I would have been too! 

We rounded the day of with a drink in the bar and more chatting to lovely ladies. I have to say it was such an enjoyable day from start to finish, there was not one part of the day I could fault,,,all I can say is roll on next year!

What I wore...

                   

Casual and Comfy

I just came across this outfit I wore sight seeing in Madrid. It was perfect, casual, comfy and bright :) 

The white jumper, scarf and 'cons' are all Penneys. The jeans are Pepe Jeans. 

Style for the First Holy Communion

My sons First Holy Communion was in May, we had such an enjoyable, special, memorable day. Senan was so excited to wear his suit, he knew it was an extra special day! I got his suit in Next. It was sold a separates which was brilliant because the trousers were age 9, the suit jacket was age 8 and the waistcoat was age 7! The shirt I put with it was actually a school shirt that came in a packet of 2 from Dunnes Stores. His tie was one belonging to his Daddy! I bought his shoes in Paul Byrons in Mullingar. Baby TJ's suit was also from Next, lucky enough I bought age 12-18months even though he's only 8 months old! His little shoes I picked up in Penneys.
His Daddys bought his suit in Galvins Menswear in Mullingar, it was a fantastic deal they're running at the moment, the suit, shirt, tie and shoes all for €199! Such excellent value and I was impressed at the selection to choose from!
Lastly, me, I of course ended up in a mad shopping panic trying to find the right dress! After shopping in Dublin, Navan and Mullingar I ended up spotting a dress online in Coast. Being honest, I would not have looked at the dress on the hanger in the shop, never mid try it on! But, the dress looked lovely on the model. So after phoning around I found a dress in my size in Dundrum and thankfully it fitted and I loved it!! My sister spotted the coral coloured Mango jacket/blazer in House of Frasier. The icing on the cake were the shoes I got, they looked like they were made to go with my dress and u'd neve guess where I got them! When I went to the beauticians the Thursday before the Communion Lisa at Beautique Beauty (The Downs) sells shoes and handbags and had a perfect pair of shoes, and they only cost €40!

Wardrobe essentials

Top ten basics in my daytime wardrobe that I could not be without!

1. Brown boots
I got mine in Penneys, love the heel, so comfy but gives me a bit of height at the same time :)
2. Blue denim jeans
These are Pepe Jeans, a friend actually gave them to me. I love that they have a bit of stretch. They get sooo much wear!
3. Beige mac
I got this mac in the kids section because the length is just perfect on me! Sometimes the adults ones can be too long (I'm a shorty!)
4. Black blazer
Again I picked my black blazer up in the kids section of New Look. I am in dire need of a black blazer as my current one has definitely seen better (less faded) days!
5. White & black shape wear tops
My sister introduced me to the shape wear vest tops in Penneys and I could not be without them! They just help smooth out the lumps and bumps under my tshirts and fitted shirts and jumpers. I don't have any pics because they're both in the wash-oops!
6. Brown belt
I actually have 3, every time I get a new one I am supposed to throw out the old tattered one but I admit I am such a hoarder!
7. Black skinny jeans
Such a basic for daytime and nighttime looks! I love the Penneys skinny jeans, they fit me nicely but also because they are so cheap I can replace them more frequently, faded black jeans are not a good look.
8. Wooly v-neck jumper
I find these so handy, the cream and coral ones in the pics I got in Old Navy in America and the checkered (golfer-ee looking one!) is Tommy Hilfigure. H&M have a great selection at the moment.
9. Brown handbag
I took a picture of my brown Guess handbag that I must have worn for a year solid! I loved it. At the moment I have a brown Kardashian handbag, the straps are beginning to show wear and tear so I have my eye out on a gorgeous tan/brown Michael Kors handbag, maybe I should change things up a bit and try a black one??
10. Stripy T-shirt 
Again, such a handy basic, pop them on with jeans and a blazer and its a simple yet classy outfit.

What are your wardrobe essentials?

What's in my bag!

I saw this on some other blog pages and thought its a cool post to do! Brings out the nosey side of me!!
So, firstly my bag is a brown Kardashian Kollection bag that was brought home from New York to me (before Kardashian Kollection started to be sold in Dorothy Perkins!) I love the bag and the gold buckles. It's a great size to fit lots in (important when I have 2 kids!) although it can be difficult to find things at the bottom of the bag! It has 2 shorter handles as well as a longer around my body strap (especially handy with a baby!)

I never leave home without my white iPhone, it actually spends a lot more time in my hand than in my bag! The silver cover I have on it at the moment was a present from my son, he got it in Penneys :) Also, coincidentally, another present from my little boy is the little hairbrush/mirror, it has come in handy on many occasions!

 

Next up is my River Island purse, I'm very fussy about my purse layout, where coins, cards, notes etc go! This one is perfect though and my glasses case and glasses are more often than not always in my

bag. I should actually have taken a pic of my glasses, they're dark purple Guess glasses, you'd be surprised how much they go with! 

As a Mammy there
is always something baby/kiddie related in my bag and today it just happens to be one of the babies rattlers! This was only €1.49 in Dealz! And it's one of TJ's favourites! Beside that is my notepad that is FULL of lists! And general info that comes in handy, I also have a little pouch with letters and stuff I use regularily. I found a canderal at the bottom of the bag! I tried to cut down on my sugar by using canderal but it didn't really work :( I also always have a money bag full of change, so handy for parking meters and tolls!

Lastly, I have an old sunglasses pouch that has a few handy bits and bobs in it, the pouch just keeps it all a bit organised! I have 2 nail files for some reason, and a collection of pens. My fav pen is my pink Parker pen, I love it! There is a small black comb that's perfect for back combing and I really don't have much makeup in my bag but I do have a Clinque lipgloss and perfume combo. I was surprised I didn't have a bottle of nail polish in there because there is normally one floating around!

So that's my bag! What's yours like!?

#30daywardrobechallenge update

So I started #30daywardrobechallenge a little while ago, I have days 1-6 on an earlier post and here are some more of my outfits! Again, I'm no style expert but its just what I can root out of the wardrobe and throw together, some days are more successful than others!

#30daywardrobechallenge

I'm quite new to all this twitter and blogging malarky but while I was roaming from one link to another I stumbled onto Younghipandhomely blog and it's there I read all about the 30 day wardrobe challenge.
The basic rules are you have to wear a different outfit everyday for 30 days, but, it has to be clothes that are already in your wardrobe and you can wear the same piece of clothing more than once as long as you wear it with something different!
I'm on day 8 already and starting to struggle! I dread to see what I'll be rooting out of the back of the wardrobe by day 30!!

If you want to check it out here is the link:

http://www.younghipandhomely.com/2013/04/30-day-wardrobe-challenge-day-1.html

And #30wardrobechallenge on twitter, hope you join in!!

Below are some of my outfits so far. I know I'm no trendsetter but just a mother trying to make the most out of what's in her wardrobe! I can imagine there are lots more mothers out there in the same boat!

Blazers and brights!

Finally the weather seems to be brightening up so it's time for my wardrobe to brighten up too!!

I got this bright multicolour top in Penneys for my trip to Monaco in March. Here are 2 outfits I combined it with, kind of cheating though because it's d same outfit reversed! One is navy skinnies with pink blazer, other is pink blazer with navy skinnies! The nude peep toe wedges (Dunnes Stores) are lovely for Spring/Summer and I picked up a cream bag with gold chain and zip which was handy for holidays.

Navy Blazer: I Love H81 An American Brand
Pink Blazer: Stradivarius
Navy skinny jeans: Penneys
Pink skinny jeans: Penneys
Cream Wedges: Dunnes Stores
Cream bag: Penneys

Casual and Comfy Style

When I was browsing online I came across picture number 1 (really sorry I can't remember whose page I saw it on, so if it was yours let me know!) Anyhow it got me thinking I could create a similar look with some bits and pieces I have in my wardrobe.
In picture 2, I teamed the ivory wooly jumper with a denim shirt over it and denim shorts, brown ribbed tights, legs warmers and uggs. I wasn't happy with this though because I thought the denim shorts and denim shirt together were too much so I swapped them for black jeggings and brown boots and I was happy with the final look! (no.3) Like I say,casual but comfy :)

Denim shirt & brown boots & leopard print scarf: Penneys
Black stretchy jeans: River Island
Ivory wooly jumper & brown tshirt: H&M

Brown Thomas Fashion Show

Last Sunday I had such an enjoyable afternoon in The Shelbourne Hotel at the Brown Thomas Fashion Show in aid of IYF Charity.
We were greeted with some tasty, fruity cocktails and jazz music creating a lovely atmosphere.
Perched up at the bar the afternoons entertainment began with Oliver Callans very witty impressions of well known politicians and public figure. He even did an impression of Brent Pope who was in the crowd!
Brunch was promptly served, gorgeous blueberry pancakes with maple syrup followed by a mousse with strawberries and pomegranate topping.
Next up was the fashion show. Lots of style from Victoria Beckham creations to Stella McCartney and much more. There was a wide variety of clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories modelled. On the catwalk were some very unique designs, but truth be told I couldn't see myself wearing too many of the outfits modelled.
After the fashion show some fantastic prizes were raffled, raising funds for a worthy cause. Unfortunately I didn't win any! 😔
Overall it was such a nice afternoon, we met some lovely new people and enjoyed the fashion and food!