The deadliest of sins...

I apologise for being M.I.A (missing in action) for the past few weeks, my life has been so hectic!

How and ever, I did have the most fun on the photo shoot i briefly blogged about a few weeks back - Seven Deadly Sins.

Ok, rewind, action...I am editor of my college fashion magazine, The Look which is being published this week, it's all very exciting. In order to compile such a project there of course had to be a show stopping, jaw dropping fashion spread. And so I tried and I think the outcome was pretty good.

We braved the wind and rain, two photographers, a stylist, an assistant, 8 models and moi and headed for Albert College park, the picturesque wooded setting for our shoot. A student run magazine, all of my team were students, some with experience some without but they each handled the days events very professionally. For that alone I am one proud Mama.

So without further a due I present to you my sins: Greed (Ana-Maria), Gluttony (Lydija), Sloth (Emma), Vanity (Sarah), Envy (Louise), Wrath (Me) and Lust(Emily).

I would like to thank my photographers Nicky O Flanagan and Eimear Dalton, stylist Anna Murphy, Assistant Elizabeth Demine and male models Dave and Dermot.

Great job by everyone, I cannot wait to see the final result!!

Oh how I love you...

For those of you that have been in hibernation, closed off from the rest of the world, I am here to tell you the best news I have heard in a long time.

FOREVER 21!!!!

The first European flagship store is opening it's doors in Dublin's Jervis Shopping Centre, Saturday November 13th.

This fact was drawn to my attention last February or so whilst reading The Irish Times Online, an article documenting Forever 21's arrival to Dublin.

During my trip to Vegas in July, I fell in love. Not a typical holiday romance mind you. No, I fell in love with the largest and newest of the American chain store. Cheap, chic, cheerful and any fashionista's paradise, I spent about 7 hours there over two days. gazing in awe and wonder at the amazing bargains, incredible interior design and styling, and of course buying all around me.

And now...it's here!!! On my doorstep. Unfortunately I won't be attending the opening, an exciting and momentous occasion no doubt. I will however be paying a little visit next week, piggy bank in hand!

I cannot wait!!!!!!

(I'm not excited, i swear!)

Models and Madness!

So I am writing a short post in absolute anticipation and excitement for tomorrow. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to take the role of editor of my college fashion magazine The Look. We start shooting tomorrow morning bright and early for our main photo spread, themed Seven Deadly Sins.

Up to an hour ago it was raining down in bucket fulls but I am saying my prayers that tomorrow stays dry as we want to shoot outside.

With 7 beautiful female models, 2 male models, 2 photographers, top class stylist and a bunch of helpful assistants, tomorrow should be a fun day to say the least.

I will keep you posted on how the shoot goes and of course present to you the final frames.

Off to pack for the adventure ahead, wish me luck!

Life is but a Fairytale...

My goodness, it has been way too long since I last blogged. I am so ashamed that it has been almost two months since I shared my excitement about the eagerly anticipated September issues and the bountiful beauty that is Miranda Kerr. I do have an excuse. Being a final year college student, the chairperson of the second largest society in the university (congratulations DCU Dance), the producer of an fantastical dance show and the editor of a fashion magazine tends too take its toll on one's social life and free time. Busy busy busy. But alas I have returned and I would like to share with you a very special project I am working on.

The All-Ireland Dance Experiment presents URBAN WONDERLAND a showcase that celebrates fusions of dance genres. Yours truly is producer of this wonderful show, the main theme being fairytale and fantasy. My creative scope for this was boundless and the first thing on my list to get the show on the road was the poster.

We have each adopted a noted character from a fairytale to represent a different genre of dance, gathered together at The Mad Hatters Tea Party, and present to you an Urban Wonderland.

I created the idea behind this shoot, directed and styled it. And I think it came together quite well. As and from Tuesday afternoon, the campus will be emblazoned with our colourful characters. The excitement mounts. Only 3 weeks left! Fingers crossed it will be a huge success!

From top: Main Poster, Mad Hatters Tea Party with noted fairytale characters The Mad Hatter, Peter Pan, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Jasmine, The Princess and the Pea and Beauty and the Beast.

Jasmine: Me

Little Red Riding Hood: Grainne

Beauty and the Beast: Megan and Colm

Snow White: Eve

A Vision of Femininity

WOW!

I am breathless, amazed, overcome by awe and wonder. How beautiful is Miranda Kerr, most famously known from her Victoria Secret fame and recent marriage to Orlando Bloom?

Well, I am literally gobsmacked by the true fabulousness of this models perfectly proportioned, honed, toned body.

Miranda Kerr has just shot her second Vogue cover this time for Vogue Italia and the truly a stunning shoot is incredible. Shot by Steven Meisel,for3D viewing, the shoot shows the angelic, innocently sexy model in breath taking shots. The shoot has a quirky, tasteful, daring and ultimately high fashion feel to it and it looks like Kerr had a blast shooting it. Nudity is a central theme, in terms of garment hues and bare skin! I think the simple image of her covering her front with a toussled bun in her hair is very Audrey Hepburn-esque. Classic.

She is aglow, brazen and beautiful and truly beautiful.

That's Chic!

Don't you just love when you accidently stumble across a great website? Well low and behold i present to you Chiconomics, an Irish based website scouting everything fashion, beauty and otherwise related. It files Irish fashionistas and organises your social diary. It is brilliant! Check it out at http://www.chiconomics.ie/

The September Issue

Oh I love how September is fast approaching. New year in uni, new routine and most importantly new fashion trends! I love the smell of fresh magazines hot off the press, the awe and wonder that succumbs the reader and entrances them into their magical pages. Over the past fortnight I have been stocking up on magazines, crooning the pages, swooning over lust-haves and must haves, excitedly anticipating the autumn season to revolutionise my wardrobe once again.
First and foremost, the highly anticipated number one publication of the fall season is without a doubt Vogue (aka the Bible). Though Anna Wintour is not at the helm of British Vogue, this years issue does not fail to please. An iconic Kate Moss posing simplistically on the cover is amazing and the contents of the magazine do not fall short. Giving a complete, accurate and in-depth run through of all the catwalk looks for the coming season, and spectacular shoots (particularly that of Moss) by the famed Patrick Demarchelier, I don't want my cover to cover study of Vogue to come to an end.
In terms of Irish publications both Stellar and Irish Tatler have well and truly presented a magnificent array of the catwalk trends, high street takes on high fashion creations and the staple buys of the season ahead.
All these September issues highlight the revolution in ladies fashion with this season reforming trends, allowing the lady to be whoever she wants to be: an aviator, a minimalist, a new-age Grace Kelly? The options are endless yet stunningly powerful.
The season of the coat beckons, enjoy!

P.S. For those of you who haven't encountered the wonderous documentary titled The September Issue, I suggest you indulge and enjoy thoroughly.

MLH

I recently discovered, via a facebook advertisment I'll have you know, an amazing Belgian designer, Maria Lucia Hohan. Her collection varies from season to season but a consistent aspect to her design and creativity is her ability to muster an element of fantasy.
Whether pastel hues and nude tones for Spring/Summer 2010 portray a romantic, fairytale aura or the sultry, whistful, dark angellic looks featured in her new Autumn/Winter line, she captures the unknown in idyllic ways.
Floaty chiffon, pretty pastels and simple stunning designs - the essence of her line is breath taking, including lines of bridal wear, evening gowns, party dresses, tops and skirts.
Many a night have I floated into the realms of a couture dream with her masterpieces featuring heavily in them!
I have my eye on a dress or two for my upcoming 21st birthday party, whilst hoping to convince the personal atm at my disposal of the wonderous investment one of these dresses would be and also secretly hoping the garments will go on sale between now and Christmas time!
Enjoy!

Viva Las Vegas

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I tried to forever avoid the saying in the title bar, really I did but I cannot manage to compose any other phrase to sum up the city that truly never sleeps!
I have returned from the land of makebelieve that I had never envisioned myself visiting only in my wildest dreams and though there were a few hiccups here and there with hotel staff and the legal age being 21, I had the trip of a lifetime. Words cannot describe my experience in a worthy way to serve it any justice. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Blissful sunshine (according to my own scientific analogy!) releases endorphines, endorphines make you extremely happy and boy were we bountifully delighted with life over in Vegas!
The shopping was an awesome experience, (though I bought way too much and have now taken a vow of abstainance from buying clothes as my closet no longer closes!) and the long heard tales of shopping in the States met my expectations!
To our luck, the Fashion Show Mall (brilliant name) had just opened a new store, the biggest of its kind in America, FOREVER 21. I was so overwhelmed by the ginormity and sheer volumes of clothes, shoes and accessories at bargain prices that I only bought a few bits and bobs on my first visit and that was before even realising there was a second floor! I had to return with a map and a gameplan in hand before even considering what to buy! I emerged a happy laydee with bags hanging off me left, right and centre. The clothes and shoes are amazing but the accessories are to die for and are ridiculously cheap!!! I bought some amazing pieces, I hope to do a sole feature on them very soon.
Shopping aside, the dancing at the World Hip Hop Championships was nothing short of incredible. A huge shout out to Lil Hustlers of Ireland who brought home the Bronze in the Junior category. The atmosphere, the entertainment and the people were brilliant and I genuinely had the time of my life. Akademix performed really really well and our team got closer and great memories were made.
The nightlife on the famous STRIP exceeded my expectations ten-fold. What you see in the movies and on TV is real, real I tell you! We united with our long lost friends, who are spending their summer in San Francisco, as they made the trip to Vegas for a wild one! Wild it was, I pulled an all nighter with my 3 hardcore amigos, Emer, Stevi and Ian and had the night of my life! It was utterly fabulous!
Not to forget about the resort itself, the Red Rock resort was the epitome of luxury. I miss my bed (who ever says that about a hotel room eh?) I also miss the pool cos now I have no reason to wear my cool bikini anymore - see photo, it's floral (!) and high waisted I love it so much!
Back to the land of reality now, jet lag is proving to be a creep who will not leave me alone. Many more summer adventures to come, not in Vegas but that place will never be forgotten!
As I return from my short lived adventure to the USA I would like to bestow the very best of luck to my best friend Aoife as she embarks on her scholastic adventure to Alabama where she starts university not to return until Christmas, gonna miss you Hick xoxo

"Bags are packed and I'm ready to go....."

So I spent the evening packing for my trip to V-V-Vegas!!! Basically I leave this weekend for the Big City in the Desert for 12 days fro the World Hip Hop Championships. I am so excited words can hardly describe it. However, I had a little predicament before deciding what to pack : dress as a dancer (aka look like a boy in baggy sweaty clothes), or dress like my usual quirky, floral, cute styled self??

Hmmm it was a toughy, but I think I have reached an appropriate compromise bringing floral to the world of hardcore hip hop and edginess by means of hi-tops and vivacious colour to my individual style! Why change who I am, try way to hard (usually ends disastrously for me) and be somebody who I am not wholly, Yes I am a dancer, I am also many other things and fashion and style make up some of those things, so I am gonna mash up styles and hope it goes down a treat!

I have quite an ecclectic mix of garments and patterns in my suitcase, which is only half full let me add (!) and it looks oh so pretty. Shorts, skirts and various tops will keep me comfortable in the searing Nevada heat. Bikini's for by the pool, my new high waisted set which I am in love with, light cotton jackets to cover my poor pale skin from scorching and a few pretty ensembles for evening escapades. Photos form my trip to follow!!! VIVA LAS VEGAS!!(Corny I know, but hey, when will I ever get to say that again??)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-pUaogoX5o

PS. Check out our hotel....DIVINE!!! Red Rock Resort

Boots are Made for Walkin'

I'm so excited about this entry to show everyone my new boots! It has been quite a while since I have bought a new pair of heels and even though these boots are casual they are easily dressed up or worn every day. The first time I saw these beauties was back at Christmas time but I was so broke after the holidays this specific item never made it off my wishlist - until yesterday!

I was strolling around Dublin enjoying the blissful sunshine, the enormous crowds of people, the buzzing atmosphere and BANG-SMACK staring at me was a hug SALE sign in the window of River Island, one of my favourite high street stores.
Earlier yesterday morning, my Mam called from home and unfortunately the boots of my obsession were not reduced in price so I thought the odds were stacked against me.
BUT the Grafton Street store answere all my prayers with my prize being only €42 a bargain if ever I discovered one!
I also bought this gold anchor pendant neck piece which I feel has a daring vintage feel about it.
I cannot wait to wear my new booties, the excitement is overwhelming! Bring on the weekend!

Fun in the Sun

This weekend I managed to make it home from the "Big Schmoke" after a 6-hour danceathon in Dundrum Town Centre on Saturday. I had a great day, sunshine, dancing, fun with friends and yummy food all for to raise funds for our Hip Hop Crew, Akademix, hitting up Las Vegas for the World Hip Hop Crew Championships!! Check out the pics!

While in Dundrum I paid Urban Outfitters a visit and was pleasantly surprised to find that they had their sale in full swing! I took full advantage of the opportunity and scooped up some nice little pieces for going away in 2 weeks!

Lounging around at home yesterday, I joined forces with my little brother who took a few shots in my garden.
Wearing: Red Skinny Jeans - River Island
White/Blue Stripy oversized Tee - Urban Outfitters
Pendant - River Island
Bangles - A collection of Vintage, H&M and Penneys

I am going to need some help packing for my Vegas Trip. I've never been to the USA before and I know Vegas is going to be HOT HOT HOT!!! So please leave any comments to help me pack for Worlds!