That Christmasy Feeling...

Hello lovelies!

So here in Ireland it's quickly beginning to reach Arctic temperatures (well not really... but my fingers are constantly frozen) and I don't know about you but this weather and dark days are getting me in the Christmasy mood!

Not only is has Wintery weather came upon us but in Dublin city some of the Christmas decorations are being put up so when you're coming out of college you can't help but feel a wave of festive cheer. One thing I always look forward to at this time of year is the unveiling of the Brown Thomas Christmas Windows on Grafton Street. One my way to dinner I couldn't resist snapping up a few photos of he dramatic, theatrical themed creations. 

These were taken with my iPhone so I apologise for the graininess!

 Imagine a Christmas with Choo!

I love being in town, all wrapped up late at night when all the streets get lit up with hundreds of stars of light. 
What about you? Do any places near you get all dressed up for Christmas?

Thanks for reading.
Ciara xx

Hepburn at the Ballet

Hello lovelies! So last Thursday I went out for a lovely grown up night on the town with my parents for an early birthday celebration (finally 18 the 21st!). We decided to go to dinner at a gorgeous Thai restaurant in Dublin city centre called Diep Le Shaker and go to see Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet with the Perm State Ballet afterwards. 

I thought I'd share what I wore on the night with you all in a little outfit post since I've never tried to do one of these things. I kept it quite simple and elegant with a slightly Audrey Hepburn-esqe style.

Dress: Asos

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Penny's

Bracelet: Pandora

Nail Varnish: Inglot O2M Breathable (652)

I'm already a huge fan of ballet so I was super excited to see Romeo & Juliet because not only had I never seen it but also the music in it is absolutely beautiful, a true work of art. It's also a very theatrical and dramatic ballet with lots of sword fighting and lots of emotion so it's perfect for those who may not be too crazy for ballet. My dad even enjoyed it! I still hear him humming some of the songs :)

Now I can't wait for my birthday because not only will I finally be 18 but I can also justify feeling Christmasy because then its just over a month to December 25th!

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Isabel Marant for H&M

Hello lovelies!

Right so it's November the 14th and finally the long awaited release day of Isabel Marant for H&M has arrived. When I heard about yet another high fashion H&M collaboration (and this time with ultra chic Marant) I was particularly excited to see the new looks. I've always thought Marant with her almost basic but punk aesthetic was a great match for H&M and it seems I thought right!

Of course with any high fashion designer you're going to get a few looks that push the commercial boundaries but over all these pieces are very adaptable, I'd even find myself reaching for a good few of them. The only thing I do have to say is that whilst the cuts of the pieces aren't so scary, some of the prints and materials could be questionable. However Marant is a great fan of different textures and mature, provocative prints so I'll have to excuse her.

Check out some of my favourite pieces!

 


 


Out of the whole collection I have to admit the coats are the items I would consider paying the big bucks for. So luxurious looking while at the same time bang on the sheath/pure coat trend that's knocking about.

 

 

And you can't have a Marant collection without some bold and striking colours. This time we have all sorts of gorgeous reds that are perfect for spicing up a minimalist Winter wardrobe.

  

 

And why not add a splash of silver or gold to get in that festive spirit?

 

I also love how there's a few sports-lux pieces thrown in for all us casual ladies who love a good comfy jumper and a pair of joggers on a frosty cold Winter's day. 

 

  

I'm pretty sure this collection is being sold a mile a minute so I don't think I'll even get a chance to see them up close and personal. I guess this is the closest I'll ever get to them, a shame really because I've got some Christmas shopping to do....

Let me know what your thoughts are on Isabel Marant's collection for H&M, I'd love to find out what everyone thinks.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

All photos sourced from www.vogue.co.uk and Google Images

Sunday Morning Hike at Glendalough

Hello lovelies!

So I have just sat down with a cup of raspberry and cranberry tea after a shower and a long morning of hiking. Usually to keep fit (ie still fit into my jeans) I go on the cross trainer everyday for a bit but last night I realised that no matter how many episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians I watched to keep me distracted whilst enduring 30 minutes of hard breathing exercise really is quite boring. So in order to spice it up a little bit I suggested going for a bit of a hike with my parents in the mountains of County Wicklow.

Glendalough really is a beautiful area and if it's a nice day I would recommend it to anyone who was looking to waste a few hours exploring the countryside  This morning at 8 o'clock however, it was cloudy, cold and frosty, the way I like it.

I thought I'd show you a few of the photos I took whilst we were here. Be warned I've tried my hand at playing with the contrast and saturation so they may seem a bit rough ;)

We passed this poor chap puffing his way up the mountain as we were on our way down. It seems he finally got to the top. 

We were also lucky enough to run into two of the locals.

We spent a good 3 hours hiking up the back of the mountain surrounding the lake, coming back down to cross the valley and walk home along the black coloured water. It's a great workout for anyone who like me, gets bored quickly of the gym and doing the same exercises over and over again. Plus getting out in the fresh air and appreciating how gorgeous Ireland can be is a reason in itself. 

The only thing I would suggest is to wear lots of layers, especially if you're going up in the morning or it's a windy or cloudy day. You work up a sweat quick enough but as soon as you stop for a break you'll start to feel the chill.  

Thanks for reading,
Ciara xx

Catching Up and Halloween Fun

Hello lovelies!

Well.....Long time no see.....Yes this is a little embarrassing indeed... So I'm going to get the ball rolling by saying I'm so sorry for the serious lack of posts going up on here over the last month or so I've been so busy with college work and commuting that it seems every time I have a spare moment I end up asleep or find myself staring off into nothingness whilst my brain takes a rest from everything!

But I'm back now and I shall never leave you like that again without so much as a word.

I thought I'd give you a little update on how things are going at the moment as I'm now almost 2 months into my time at Trinity College in Dublin and I'm loving it! I have to admit I didn't expect there to be so much work so early on in the course (I'm doing Business and French if you were wondering) but I get through it and now I'm in the middle of a mid-term so I'm catching up and also attempting to get a head start on future assignments. 

There's a general consensus with some people in Ireland that people who go to Trinity are so 'lah di dah' and snooty but I can honestly say I haven't met a single person like that so far and luckily everyone who is on my course is really lovely and we have great craic with each other.

But enough about that I don't want to bore you with an overload of details, I thought I'd take the chance to show you my Halloween costume I wore last Thursday. I must warn you I am not the most Halloweeny of people so the idea of dressing up hadn't even crossed my mind until the day I was supposed to be going out! So in a mad rush I dashed to Penny's (that's Primark for any non-Irish) and rustled up a look that somewhat resembled a costume, I do apologise if you think this is the world's dodgiest attempt but I did try!

Behold Superwoman! 

Cuffs & Belt- Penny's (Primark)

Red Skirt- Penny's (Primark)

Blue Leotard- A ballet leotard from years ago.

Homemade Superwoman sign 

 The night ended up being great fun and it turned out to be the first Halloween I actually enjoyed! I hope all of your October the 31st's went just a well, why not tell me what you dressed up as? (perhaps I may steal a few ideas for next year and be better prepared..)

Again I'm sorry for abandoning you for such a stretch of time, it shan't happen again :)

Thanks for reading,
Ciara xx