Turn On The Bright Lights

We wandered down to Astoria Park on one of our last evenings in New York to catch the sunset over the East River. We went to the area of the park under the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, which was formerly known as the Triborough Bride as it connects Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. From there you also get an amazing view of the Hell Gate Bridge which just turned 100 years old back in March and connects Astoria to Randalls and Wards Islands. According to this New York Times article, it got its name from the Dutch word "hellegat" which translates to "hell channel", because of how treacherous that stretch of river could be with the tides and rocks. 

I thought it would be the perfect spot to get some more outfit photos as the light was beautiful as was the view of the bridges and the river. We were kind of annoyed with ourselves for not going down there earlier in our trip because the park has amazing amenities, the views are beautiful and it was packed with people doing outdoor classes and playing sports. However we were lucky with how nice of an evening it was and that the sun came out from behind the clouds just in time for us to watch it disappear behind the buildings. 

Dress- H&M
Jacket- New Look
Scarf- ASOS
Boots- Clarks (similar here and here)
Sunglasses- eBay
Necklace- Stella and Dot Bespoke Disc Necklace
Lipstick- Bourjois Rouge Buzz

I bought this dress the week before we went away on sale in H&M for only €15. I had seen it on Amy from The Little Magpie back in March and loved it but didn't buy it at the time. I wasn't sure it would suit me with the high neck and ruffles (which is a trend I haven't really gotten into). But when I saw it on sale in my size, I bought it on a whim and it even ended up being €5 cheaper when I got to the till (don't you just love it when that happens). I actually really loved it when I tried it on at home and brought it with me to New York to wear out for dinner which I did a couple of the nights. I can see myself wearing it lots of different ways, with a leather jacket or heeled boots or runners for a more casual look. I love a good midi dress and I'm glad I took a chance on this one. For €15 you can't go too far wrong!

I'm aware that this is the second post in a row that I've worn this neck scarf but I just thought it was really nice paired with the dress, it's still available on ASOS if anyone is interested. I usually hate wearing my hair up when I'm not at home but it was very necessary with the heat in New York. We had spent the day walking around Prospect Park in Brooklyn and I needed to cool down.

I'm currently working through the hundreds of photos I took on the trip with the goal of writing a blog post about our New York experience. It'll be more personal than a travel guide, mostly because it was my first time there so I'm by no means qualified to be giving out advice. However I read lots of blog posts from other people as the trip approached and I found it helpful so hopefully I can do the same thing.

How much research do you like to do before you visit somewhere? Do you find reading about other peoples experiences helpful or do you prefer to do your own thing and not plan too much?

If you haven't seen it already, check out my first style post from New York here!

Emma x

Shooting From The Hip About Our Faith And Love

Last Sunday we wandered around town looking for somewhere to eat. On the way we took some outfit shots at the Fruit and Vegetable market on Halston street. I've always loved this building and was lucky enough to film inside it a few years ago. Since then I've wanted to use it as the backdrop for some outfit photos. 

Trench Coat- Vintage (from charity shop, no label)

Blouse- New Look

Jeans- Next (similar here)

Boots- Clarks Bizzy Beat (similar here) 

Camera Bag- eBay

Choker- Zara

Sunglasses- Forever 21 (similar here)

Lipstick- MAC Ruby Woo

Nails- Essie Chinchilly

In my last outfit post I mentioned that we shot the photos in Dun Laoghaire. While we were there we went into a few of the charity shops which I've usually found to be some of the better ones in Dublin.  I actually bought this coat in a charity shop while we were there, I loved the colour despite the fact that I never wear yellow but I just loved the idea of a yellow trench coat for Spring. There's no label apart from a care label that says it was made in South Korea, I'm guessing it's from the eighties but I'm not an expert on these things so I can't sure. After getting it dry cleaned it ended up costing me around €25 which isn't bad for a Spring coat. I've had so many compliments on it since I got it and it reminds me that charity shops can be amazing for finding one of a kind pieces that you won't see anyone else wearing.

Who knew that the choker trend would stick around for so long! I got one last year that's velvet with a small gem in the middle and I love it but I wanted a plain black one that I could wear with anything. I saw a 2-pack in Zara a few weeks ago, they're both suede and the other one has little diamante flowers on it (which sounds horrible but it's actually really nice on).

I got this camera bag on eBay after a long search for something that would protect my camera but still look  like it's part of an outfit when I bring it out with me. I didn't want something that would be an obvious camera bag and this was the perfect solution.

Have you had any amazing charity shop finds? Are there any colours that you never wear?


Emma x

Reflected Light A Hollow Moon

This is the third set of outfit photos we took in France. It wouldn't be Summer without a good maxi dress and this one is all out seventies! I paired it with a big hat, big sunglasses and my trusty Clarks nude sandals. 

Photos by Simon

Dress- Monsoon

Hat- Accessorize

Sunglasses- eBay

Sandals- Clarks

Rings- Zara Taylor & COS

Nails- No7 Jammy

Lips- Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon Peach on the Beach


What do you think about maxi dresses? Are you sick of seeing them every Summer?

Emma x

I'll Take You Away From This Horrible Town

We took these photos by the lake in a little French town called Mansigné. I spotted this first-aid post and thought it would be the perfect location to take some outfit photos. 

Photos by Simon and I

Dress- Zara (currently on sale instore)

Jacket- Penneys/Primark

Sunglasses- eBay

Bag- Coach via eBay

Shoes- Clarks Carousel Ride

Rings- COS

Anklet- H&M

Lips- Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo

Nails- KIKO Juicy Pitaya

I spotted this dress in Zara last month and fell in love. I've always wanted a gingham dress but had never found the right one for me until now. Did I mention it has pockets? Well, it does. Find me a girl that doesn't love a dress with pockets and I'll call you a liar. I added the photo of the back of the dress to show off the cute bow and cut out detail despite the unsightly glimpse of my white bra (sorry). 

I love these simple rings I got from COS. I have been loving the brand recently, their stores are such a pleasure to shop in and I love how everything is merchandised. Their jewellery in particular has really impressed me, I love the clean lines and minimalism of everything and it isn't too expensive either which is always appreciated. 

I decided to try out anklets again having not worn one since I was a pre-teen. I got this in H&M in a pack with four toe rings which I have yet to sport, but plan on doing very soon. 

These Clarks ballet flats have been on my feet a lot since I got them a few months ago, they're cute and comfortable and go with almost anything. 

What have been your Summer wardrobe staples so far this year?

Emma x

'Cause When You're Standing Oh So Near, I Kinda Lose My Mind

I was in France at the end of May staying just outside the lovely little town of Écommoy in the Loire Valley. We stayed in a Gite on the grounds of a Chateau for 11 days and then in the Chateau itself on our last night. It was the longest I've been off work since I started working there seven years ago and it was exactly what I needed after the rollercoaster that's been the past six months or so. 

Here is the first of four sets of outfit photos we took while we were there. 

Photos by Simon and I

Kimono, Skirt and T-Shirt- H&M

Bag- Next

Sandals- Clarks

Sunglasses- Primark

Nails- KIKO Sun Show Nail Lacquer in 471 Juicy Pitaya

Lips- KIKO Velvet Mat Lipstick in 605 Orange Red

I got this kimono in H&M a few months ago and I've worn it so much since, it's so light and comfortable and perfect for those Summer days when there's a bit of a chill in the air. I got this bag at a Next press day and I absolutely love it, the longer strap is detachable and there is a smaller wrist strap so it can be used two ways. It's the perfect bag for when you only need your phone and wallet (and a lipstick). 

I've also been wearing these Clarks sandals a lot as they're so comfortable when I'm on my feet all day in work. I bought the lipstick in KIKO while we were in Le Mans as well as some other things that I will be reviewing soon. I loved it after wearing it only once, such a beautiful vibrant shade and so inexpensive. I really hope KIKO come to Ireland soon.

A big thank you to Simon for taking the photos for me, I think he did an amazing job for his first time!

Emma x

Velvet Tongue So Sweet Say Anything You Like

Last weekend we went to Skerries to see my mam who finally got out of hospital after a month. Thankfully she's on the mend although there is still no answer as to why she was so sick. Thank you for all the lovely comments and messages, it really helps during the hard times to know people are thinking of you. We headed down to the very windy beach to take some photos while we were there. 

Coat- Monsoon
Scarf- Zara
Sunglasses- ASOS
Dress- Dunnes
Boots- Clarks
Cardigan and Rings- H&M
Belt and Earrings- Accessorize
Lipstick- Estée Lauder Black Cassis
Nails- Barry M Lychee

I wanted a furry cardigan/jacket for ages and I saw this one in H&M months ago but didn't get it before it went out of stock. Luckily it came back into stock after Christmas and I grabbed it. I got these boots as a Christmas present and they've barely left my feet since. I love them so much that I wish I'd gotten a second pair! The sunglasses were an early Autumn purchase that I've only gotten around to wearing recently. I got them thinking they'd be the perfect Autumn/Winter sunglasses since they're velvet. The coat is another Christmas present that I was so happy with because I didn't actually have a black Winter coat. It's a wool mix and lined so it's incredibly warm and the fur collar and cuffed sleeves give it that vintage look.

One of my favourite purchases of the Winter is this Zara scarf. I saw Lily Pebbles wearing it months ago and I fell in love. I went online straight away and it was sold out. None of the Zara branches in Dublin had it and I even emailed Zara to see if it was going to be coming back into stock and they said it wouldn't be so I resorted to stalking eBay for it. After about a week, I found a listing for it and placed my bid and won! I had it shipped to my aunt in Florida who sent it on to me because the seller didn't ship internationally. Excuse the long, uninteresting story but I just think it's funny the lengths us girls (and guys) go to for our style. Oh and just so you know the scarf is totally amazing and like a giant blanket and I love it!

I hope you all are doing well!

Emma x