Stacked Bracelets

This is a look I really, really like and must surely master.

I love the randomness of mixing watches with bad girl stud bracelets, friendship bracelets with luxe brand leather bracelets/cuffs and all this with maybe some rhinestones and some other other glitzy bits thrown in for good measure.

Here's some more inspiration:

Here's an example including a Hermes enamel bangle.  I've blogged about these before.  I seriously need (ok, want) one.

Here's a more luxurious take on the stacked bracelet look:

All above images via Refinery29

So!  I've got some work (and some rummaging in the jewellery box) to do to ramp up from this...

... to this!

Fan-tassle-tastic!

Ok, forgive the lame post title - I couldn't help myself!  It's true though that I'm loving the whole tassle trend.

It started with the Hermes leather tassle keychain.  Look, I know I'll never pay such an horrendous amount of money for what is afterall a humble key chain but all the same, I can't help loving this for some reason.  It's just so jaunty and the colours it comes in are rather juicy (however, it doesn't come in orange for some reason, at least not on the website, and that I think is a pity).

via hermes.com

So then I came across this slouchy bag on Etsy. (By the way, brightly coloured handbags is another trend I'm keen on, particularly when the bright colours are plum, hot pink or electric blue, but that story is for another day...)

via etsy.com

The latest item on my tassle wishlist is this wallet from DVF.  Yum!

via DVF.com

This is only one of a number of different colour/print combinations available (it also comes as a lap top sleeve).  I'm most drawn to the fresian-esque black and white sploches with buttercup yellow combo, but that's not to say I would turn my nose up at any of the other designs on offer!  Definitely check them out here.

Judging by the number of tassles I saw on my recent travels in the Northern Hemisphere, it looks like this trend will be around a while longer, at least in NZ where fashion lags at least a season behind!

What do you think?  Are tassles your thing?

THE Wedding... and the Royal Hatter, Philip Treacy

Well, like most of you out there I tuned into the Royal Wedding.  I was a bit indifferent about it all in the lead up, but when the time came, I was as glued to the TV screen as anyone else.  Look, it's pretty compelling viewing isn't it what with all the grandeur, pomp and ceremony... and of course a little glamour thrown in for good measure.  Kate's dress - well it's hard to find fault with it but I was a little underwhelmed.  I think I preferred the evening version of it with the fluffy bolero.

I quite liked Pippa's bridesmaid dress though and bet that will inspire a few 'real' wedding dresses out there.

via telegraph.co.uk

There are lots and lots of blog posts at this stage discussing the wedding party's style along with that of the celebrity guests (by the way, TPT's electric blue outfit - still can't make my mind up on that).

via telegraph.co.uk

I've enjoyed looking at many of these posts and throwing in my tuppence worth via the comments box.  So I thought I'd do something a little different in my Royal Wedding post and focus on one of the key accessories of the occasion.  And as the milliner to the Royals (and to many stars) is a Stylish Irish, Mr Philip Treacy, I think this is rather fitting.

I believe Mr Treacy made 36 hats in all for various guests at Kate and Will's wedding.  Here are my five favourites:

Lady Frederick Windsor via telegraph.co.uk

Princess Marie Chantale of Greece

Zara Phillips via telegraph.co.uk

Charlene Wittstock, the fiancée of Prince Albert of Monaco via telegraph.co.uk

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez via telegraph.co.uk

Rain ... (and virtual window shopping)

It is so wet today in Auckland that I don't feel any guilt about whiling away the afternoon doing some virtual, window shopping.

An attempt earlier to go out in the world found me in horrendous traffic queues and parking hell so I turned around and came home again pretty sharpish!  Sitting here in front of the mac with a cuppa (and a white Tim Tam!) is much, much nicer indeed.

So anyway, with our trip to the motherland (including 3 night stays in each of Hong Kong, London, Copenhagen and San Fran) coming up in less than 4 weeks time, I thought I had better start getting organised about what I'll need to pack and what needs to be purchased in advance, hence my perusing of the Witchery and Country Road websites to check out if they've got the new tees and ballet flats I think I'll need.  I'm also on the look out for a casual but stylish rain jacket given that it's going to be rainy season in Hong Kong and you can be pretty much guaranteed rain any time of the year in Ireland!  Here are some items I'm considering following my web search today...

Holiday Wardrobe Items by Stylish Irish

1. Basic Scoop Neck Tee, Witchery
2. Scoop Hem Tee, Witchery
3. Coated Skinny Leg Jean, Witchery
4. Drawcord Detail Anorak, Witchery
5. Ainsley Stretch Ballet, Witchery
6. Letitia Metallic Ballet, Country Road
7. Ombre Animal Scarf, Witchery
8. Large Black Slouchy Bag, The Leather Store, Etsy

I've also been ogling some cuffs and enamel bracelets at Hermes.  Unknown to "himself" (as yet), I'm plotting the purchase of a little luxury treat for myself while on our travels.  Wouldn't either of these bracelets work well with with the looks above?

In praise of: Kate Moss' Style

Kate Moss is without doubt a mainstay style icon and constant source of inspiration.  She sure knows how to rock knee high black boots, skinny jeans and blazers.  Here are ten of my favourite Kate Moss casual outfits:

Introducing my new winter boots

Bought these yesterday in Mi Piaci.  Check them out on their website here.  They go over the knee and fit me like gloves.  Of course now I need to buy some new skinny jeans/pants to wear with them.  It's neverending, isn't it?

Celebrity Winter Style Inspiration (SJP and more)

It's end of daylight savings tonight and despite the sunny weather today, there's no denying that winter is on it's way.  Always at this season changeover time I feel like I have NOTHING to wear.  The only remedy is to purchase a few key items in order to unlock the potential of my existing wardrobe.  Here's some celebrity fashion inspiration from the Autumn/Winter season just past in the NH, which I'll be using as a guide when I head out to the shops (tomorrow?) to sort this little mini crisis out.

First some inspiration from SJP:

Then from Gwen, Jen and the rest!

See any themes?

Time for a new Orla Kiely bag!

Wherever I go, I always get compliments on my Orla Kiely bags, purchased back in the home country in good ole Brown Thomas (or BT's to those of us on familiar terms).  I currently have two on the go - my black and grey stem leaf print (which with it's brown leather handles goes with just about everything!) and my beige, multi coloured stem leaf print (as seen here).   Alas, the black and grey number, which has provided such dedicated service over the past few years, really does now need to enter into retirement and be replaced by a new model this autumn/winter.

So far, the only place I've found in NZ selling Orla Kiely merchandise is smallacorns (I also follow the smallacorns blog).  Here are my three favourite OK bags currently on offer at the smallacorns online shop.

1. Orla Kiely Alpine Forest Midi Sling

2. Orla Kiely Acorn Cup Print Betty Bag

3. Orla Kiely Multidirectional Stem Shoulder Bag

All above images via smallacorns.co.nz

One of the best features of Orla's bags is the oh so nifty elastic key chain.  I also love the magnetic closure.

via redpipette

It goes without saying of course how delectable the prints and colour combinations are.  The first bag shown above would be a great replacement for my existing bag on account of it's "go with everything-ness".  I'm always a sucker though for black and white and then of course the pops of colours in the third bag would be great to brighten up an otherwise dull winter ensemble.  Decisions, decisions...

Rollasoles

First of all, isn't it the coolest and most apt name for shoes that you roll up?  I'm also really attracted to the concept.

Not sure why exactly.  I wouldn't use them much for the reason they were originally invented - slipping on after a night clubbing (apparently you can buy them from vending machines in night clubs in the UK, Ireland, Ibiza and Australia).  I can well recall the agony of wearing too tight/high stilettos on a night out and then resorting to bare feet walking home or on the quest for a taxi (shudder).  But I rarely find myself in that situation nowadays - and that's not just because taxis are far easier to come by in Auckland than they were in my glory days in Cork, Dublin or London!

Images vis Rollasole.com

On the website they also suggest the following uses for your rollasoles:

• Commuting - hop on the train or jump on the bus
• Driving- pop them on and put your foot down
• Shopping - slip off your heels and hit the shops
• Travelling - check in, kick back and take off
• Weddings & Special Occasions - make it the last dance in comfort

"Himself" and I are heading to the homeland for a month in the not too distant future so I thought these might be pretty cool to have on the plane (surely much cooler than anything Air NZ will provide).  In any case at AU$20, indulging this little whimsy of mine won't break the bank!  Check out rollasoles here.