All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun

We braved the freezing weather last weekend to take photos of an outfit I based around my new Aire Shirt from the second Archive by Alexa collection for Marks and Spencer. 

I still adore the Frances Trench and Misty Dress from the first collection that I featured earlier in the year so when I heard that there was going to be a second collection I was so excited to see how it would compare to the first one. I was drawn to the metallic Aire Shirt straight away when I saw the campaign images. It's based on a design from the 80s and I loved the embroidered details on the collar and pocket as well as the neck tie and scalloped edge on the cuffs. 

Shirt- Marks and Spencer
Coat- New Look (similar here and here)
Skirt- Monsoon (similar here, here and here)
Boots- Primark (similar here, here and here)
Bag- Zara (similar here and here)
Fur Collar- Chicwish (similar here and here)
Earrings- Accessorize (similar here)
Lipstick- Clinique Nude Pop

I wasn't sure about the material of the shirt when I first tried it on as it's not exactly very soft, but I actually don't mind it at all, if it had been made from a softer material it wouldn't have the same look. The reason I went for this shirt over the other items in the collection that are maybe a bit more wearable is that it's different from anything else I've seen on the high street. I loved this printed pieces too but I limited myself to one thing and this shirt was it.

You may have seen my Winter Wardrobe Wishlist last month in which I mentioned some patent boots from New Look that were sadly sold out in my size. I had to give up on them but luckily when I was in Liverpool earlier this month I spotted these boots in Primark that I had seen on Instagram and couldn't find in Penneys here in Dublin. They were very similar to the New Look boots except with a lower (and different coloured) heel and they were only £12 so I couldn't pass them up despite only having a carry on bag for the plane. I'm delighted I ended up getting these instead of the New Look ones because the quality is practically the same and they were a third of the price and much easier to walk in so I'll get more wear out of them.

I got this coat in New Look on sale last year and I've worn it so much. I like that the grey colour is different from the usual leopard print coats. This is pretty much the opposite to my last outfit post. More accessories and print and textures, but I like trying something different and not always wearing the same thing. I've made a couple of "Black Friday" purchases that I'm looking forward to styling when they arrive.

Did you get anything in the sales? What do you think of the second Archive by Alexa collection?

Emma x

There's A Belt Of Sun Dripping Through A Porthole

We took these outfit photos when the weather was a bit milder last month. I bought the Bow Tie from ASOS during the Summer and wanted to style a whole outfit around it. I was unsure whether I'd end up looking a bit too Western, but I think it's a really cute way to smarten up an outfit. 

Jacket- Penneys/Primark

Shirt- Monsoon (similar here)

Jeans- New Look

Shoes- ASOS Mara Leather Pointed Flat Shoes (sold out, similar here)

Hat- H&M

Bag- Accessorize Studded Tassel Saddle Bag

Bow Tie- ASOS (sold out, similar here)

Lipstick- MAC Ruby Woo

I wanted some leopard print shoes for a long time so when I saw these pointed lace up ones on ASOS I ordered them straight away. They're a great addition to an otherwise monochrome outfit like this. Unfortunately as they're faux pony skin, I can only really wear them when it's dry outside which isn't very often during an Irish Winter.

The hat from H&M was another purchase I had been thinking about for a long time. I really wanted to try out a floppy hat, again I wasn't sure how it would look on me but I really like it. It's wool too, so it's very warm.

My gorgeous haircut/bouncy blow dry is courtesy of Carolin in Preen Hair and Beauty Salon in Dublin. I've been going there for about a year now and I am always so happy when I leave. I always get people asking me who did my hair afterwards which I think is a sign that it looks great.

I hope you all are having a great Holiday season so far. I'm looking forward to the madness of Christmas in retail being over for another year and getting to spend time with my family and friends. What's your favourite thing about this time of year?

Emma x

And We'll Dazzle Them All

You'll have to excuse my unplanned temporary hiatus from blogging. Since I got back from holidays in September there has been a continued series of disruptive life events that have unfortunately meant that I've been unable to do much in the way of writing posts or reading my favourite blogs. 

I know I haven't written very much about my personal life in the past year and a half but I just wanted to write a little bit about what's been going on in my life recently because I've gone through some major life changes in the past couple of months. Just after we got back from holidays we were told that our landlord had sold our building and the new landlord was completely renovating all of the apartments so we had to move out. At the same time I was interviewing for a new job, my first interview in eight years. So we began the daunting task of looking for a place to live. 

Having to move out was a blessing in disguise. We were very lucky in that the rent and location of our old apartment were both incredible. But we were sharing with a flatmate so there were pros and cons and we were both happy to be finally getting our own place. Rent has increased significantly in Dublin over the past few years and the market is hugely competitive. After much wasted time viewing places not fit for habitation and a few disappointments, we finally found the perfect apartment for us. 

While we were apartment searching I got great news that the job I had interviewed for was mine. I handed in my notice to my managers and three weeks later said goodbye to my workplace of eight years and my wonderful friends and colleagues. I had my last day in work on a Friday, moved apartment the following day and started my new job on the Monday and life has been a blur since then. 

We just got internet in the new apartment today, hence the complete silence from me recently. With apartment searching, packing, moving and working so much I haven't had the time to do a lot for the blog. However I've still been taking outfit photos (I should be getting a new camera soon), trying out new products, and attending any events I can that don't clash with work. I have an abundance of content that I can't wait to share with you all. 

For now, I have an outfit post we shot about a month ago before the weather became too Wintery. 

Jumper- H&M
Jacket- Penneys/ Primark (similar here)
Skirt- Monsoon
Shoes- New Look (similar here)
Hat- H&M (similar here)
Fur Stole- Accessorize (similar here)
Ring- Stella and Dot Pavé Chevron Ring
Bag- Accessorize (similar here)

I've already written enough in this post so I won't say too much about this outfit except I saw this skirt  and didn't think it would suit me at all but I tried it on and loved it. I'm also still loving fur collars this year, I added this one to the collection I built up last Autumn.  I also love this hat from H&M and it's wool so it keeps my head really warm, although I can't wear it when it's windy because it just blows straight off my head. Lace up shoes seem to still be having a moment, I know a lot of people are probably sick of seeing them but I love mine and never one to be thrown off by trends, I'll keep wearing them until they fall apart.

Thanks to everyone for continuing to support me despite my erratic post schedule recently. I really appreciated the messages I've received asking how I am. I'll be catching up with all my blog reading over the next week. I hope you all are doing well.

Emma x

Turn Our Golden Faces Into the Sun

This is the last set of outfit photos we took in France. We took them just outside our little Gite on a sunny but windy day. It feels like so long ago now. 

Dress- Monsoon

Headscarf- Accessorize

Sandals and Sunglasses- Marks and Spencers

Nails- Essie Cute As A Button

Lips- Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Unapologetic

I loved this cotton broderie anglaise dress from the moment I saw it and I've loved wearing it on the really hot Summer days. It's the kind of dress that makes you feel great as soon as you put it on. These patent mint green sandals were another love at first sight purchase, they aren't the most comfortable sandal but I just love how they look, especially the little detail of the silver heel. The Essie nail polish and Revlon lip colour have been Summer staples for me, I can't recommend either highly enough. They also both happen to match the dress perfectly.

What have been your Summer wardrobe and make up staples?

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

Wind Was Blowing Time Stood Still

Here is what I wore to a wedding in Scotland earlier this month. 

Photos by Donnacha

Dress- Monsoon

Necklace- c/o Divine Boutique

Belt and Ring- Accessorize

Shoes- ASOS

Nails- Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure (with Ted Baker Sugar Rush on ring finger)

Lipstick- MAC Plumful

I actually only bought my dress a couple of weeks before the wedding and the necklace which was a gift from Divine Boutique just happened to go perfectly with it. I bought the shoes last summer on ASOS. I saw them on Alix from The Cherry Blossom Girl and luckily for me when I clicked the link they were on sale so I saw that as a sign and bought them. They're so comfortable to wear to an all day event and I'm not one for high heels as I'm already quite tall so this is the perfect heel height for me. Also how cute is the little round gold heel?

I wanted to do something different with my make up as I would usually go for a red lipstick at this kind of event. I used a mixture of Dust, Buzz, Trick and Nooner from the Naked 3 palette paired with MAC Plumful lipstick. I loved the finished look, it was pretty pink Spring make up. I kept my hair really simple and just used a curling iron on it and brushed the curls out with my fingers.

Do you like getting dressed up for weddings or is it something you dread?

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