What I Wore!

I was away for the weekend in Dublin acting like a tourist. We went to the Guiness Store House which was fun and definitely worth a visit. We also went to an American Football game, which was a new experience. I had no idea what was going on really but the cheerleaders were great..ha!

This is what I wore..

During the day.

Pants: Dunnes Stores €30 (The material of these pants is super flattering) 

Top: Dunnes Stores €15

Blazer: Savida Range from a few years back. 

Chain: Dunnes (from last year) 

That night

Dress: iclothing

Blazer: Penny's 

Sinead.x

5 Minute Upstyle

                                   

We have all had those days when you're in a hurry, have somewhere to go / someone to meet, your hair is a day or two old and you don't have time to wash dry and style. Instead of scraping your hair back into the mummy staple ponytail, why not try this easy upstyle!

This stye is suitable for hair shoulder length or longer. You will need hairspray, a few bobby pins, a comb (with small teeth) and two small elastic's ( loom band elastics are perfect, most mums with 6-9yr old kids have a few floating around the house!). Now we are all set with our tools, here we go!

Step 1.
Roughly take sections of hair around your crown and backcomb them. Then gently comb over the top to smooth it. This will give your hair a bit of body.

Step 2.
Bring all your hair back to the nape of your neck like you would for a low ponytail, then split the secton in two and plait each section. Tie the ends of the plaits with the small elastics and loosen the plaits a little with your fingers.

Step 3.
Take the two plaits, cross them over each other and tuck the tail ends of the plaits underneath the base of the opposite plait. Secure with the bobby pins and set the style with a good spritz of hairspray.


Et voila! A super easy glamorous hairstyle in 5 minutes.
Enjoy the compliments!!!

Katie.

What I Wore!!

I was at a christening this weekend and this is what I wore.

Top: My top was from the Savida range at Dunnes Stores. Even better news is it's on sale at the moment..! I adore the Savida range lately, I think their stuff is after getting super stylish and the fabrics are so expensive and luxurious looking. 

Pants: I'm just wearing a slim fitting black trousers as I was going for a more dressed down look. But this top would also look super chic and dressy with a black pencil skirt. 

Sinead.x

Dressing For Your Shape.

I think one of the most important things when shopping and picking clothes is knowing your body shape. When it comes to looking good its not your size or shape that matters its the fit and style of your clothes and the confidence with which you wear them. Picking clothes shouldn't be about following the latest fashion trends it should be about incorporating these trends into your own style and finding clothes that suit your shape and make you feel confident. I have made a list of the different types of body shapes and some tips for dressing for your shape.

Dress for your shape.



Here are some tips for dressing for your body shape:


Triangle Shaped Body or Pear Shape
Short or tall women with wider thighs and hips and a narrower waist and smaller shoulders can be categorized as pear shaped or triangle shaped.
How to Dress:
- Dress to show off your slim arms and upper half with strapless tops and dresses.
- Strappy tops, lace, embroidery and embellishments on your top are great for drawing attention to your slim shoulders and top half.
- Accentuate your waist by cinching your tops and dresses with a belt.
- A-line skirts flatter a pear-shaped figure best as they skim over the hips and are narrow at the waist.
- Maxi dresses are great as they hide your hips while making your top half look great.
- A pair of killer heels will work wonders as they will elongate your legs and make your lower half appear leaner.


Inverted Triangle Shaped Body
This body type is characterized by a larger upper half with a large bust, large shoulders and a wider waist and slim hips and legs. 
How To Dress:
- You are blessed with slender legs so show them off in shorts, skirts and dresses.
- Avoid detailing on the shoulders which can make you look bulky.
- Wrap tops are perfect for women with this body shape as it will accentuate a fuller bust.
- Opt for waistcoats and tailored jackets, which add width at the hips rather than the shoulders.
- Feminine necklines like shirts with ruffled details will work best as they soften a broad top-half.
- Palazzo pants will look great on your figure and exaggerate your hips, and they are totally on trend at the moment.

Rectangle Shaped Body or Athletic Shape
A sporty body that is more straight and less curvy with long arms and legs and shoulders and hips that are approximately of the same width is known as a rectangle or athletic shape.
How To Dress:
- Clothes that are nipped at the waist or belts help create curves. An empire-waist is great for giving the illusion of a fuller bust.
- Fitted or bodycon dresses show off your long legs and slender figure.
- Feminine details and cuts will soften a straight body.
- Strappy tops will add femininity and dimension.

Hour Glass Shaped Body
The body type that women spend their whole life trying to achieve and men spend their whole life trying to chase is the voluptuous hour glass shaped body. It is characterized by a curvy bust and hips and a narrow waist.
How To Dress:
- Choose clothes that define your small waist like wrap tops and belted tops.
- This figure is ideal for a bandage dress.
- Skinny jeans look great on this figure, choose jeans that are cropped at the ankle.
- Wear high-waisted shorts and jeans to display the curve of your hips.
- Tops and jackets detail on the shoulders works well as it will emphasize your shoulders.

Diamond Shaped Body
A body that is wider at the waist and narrower at the hips and shoulders is known as a diamond shaped body.How To Dress:
- Pleated, A-line and pencil skirts work for this body type. Knee-lengths will give the impression of curvier hips.
- Wear dresses that are loose on the shoulders and bottom but fitted at the waist. Wrap dresses are great for this figure shape.
- Empire cuts will elongate your waist. Choose tops with detailing on the shoulders.
- Some killer heels will elongate and slim your body, especially your torso.

Round Shaped Body or Apple Shaped
A rounded stomach, ample bust, slimmer hips and thin legs are known as a round or apple shaped figure.How To Dress:
- Use bright colours and bold patterns to distract from problem areas and solid blocks of colour to highlight the best parts.
- A-line skirts and dresses work best to hide your waist and give the impression of curvy hips.
- Use your outfit to draw attention to your assets like that cleavage and great legs while retracting attention from your stomach.
- Straight-cut jeans that start at the waist will help elongate your body and help you seem slimmer.

'Create your own style.Let it be unique to you and yet identifiable to others.'
                                                                                                    Anna Wintour
  

 I hope these tips help and please comment and let us no what you think.

Sinead.x

The 'F' Word!!!

Yes I'm going to talk about the 'F' word...FASHION!! Yes I no, but I'm a mum, what would I know about fashion. Once your a mum don't you start wearing baggy pants and over sized jumpers that smell of baby sick? Well that might be the misconception but I would just like to say that I for one still like nice clothes and feeling good about what I wear. Ya ok when your a mother your disposable income is reduced severely and buying clothes and accessories is at the bottom of a very long list of nappies, baby food, kids clothes, school books and summer camps but it doesn't mean you cant treat your self every once in a while.

There are so many affordable shops now such as Pennys, Dunnes, Tesco and H&M but to name a few. All of which stock fashionable affordable clothing.  I think the secret to smart shopping as a mother or anyone for that matter is to first buy staple pieces. A good pair of jeans, a nice blazer a neutral pair of killer heels a little black dress, all theses things will go with so many pieces you all ready have in your wardrobe and you will be able to use them season after season, year after year.
Many people think oh well now that I'm a mum I have to dress a certain way. Yes your a mother but your also an individual person with your own fashion sense and your own style.

I think that if your going out at the weekend whether its to a party, wedding or just a few drinks with friends, you shouldn't be afraid of fashion. Don't be the one sitting in the corner saying 'oh that's lovely, I wish I could wear that' instead be the one that's wearing it. I think when looking at clothes the most important things are to know your body and what suits it and to trust your own instincts and style. Not everybody has the same opinions in life and the same goes for fashion, so just do you and don't worry about other people reactions and opinions.

Realistically during the week both stay at home and working mothers most likely don't have the time to be getting all glammed up before work or the school run. But I think that even taking 5minutes out to put in a bit of extra effort, whether it's slicking on a bit of mascara, popping on a bit of tinted moisturiser or ironing out the creases on that cliche oversized jumper, it will give you more confidence and make you feel better about yourself. It may seem vain to some people but as the old saying goes 'A happy mother means a happy baby' and probably a happy husband too. :)

'Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak'

                                                                                  Rachel Zoe
 
Sinead.x

What I Wore!!

I went to a party last night and this is what I wore!!

Top: Tesco 

This top was a bargain at €13, it was a bright colour, perfect for summer! The top was a light silky material and the strap at the back came in so you would need to wear a flesh coloured strapless bra with this. 

Trousers: Dunnes 

These were treggings, that's a pants like leggings but the material is a lot thicker so you will not have to worry about them being see through. They also skim over the lumps and bumps a lot better than leggings. 

Sinead. x 

BB Cream Review (Garnier, Maybelline, Nivea)

A good BB cream is a must for any busy mum.
Beauty Balm “BB” is your skincare regime in one tube It moisturises, protects, and corrects. No foundation needed. It is a very over crowded market at the moment so a lot of people don't know how to choose the one that's right for them. A lot of BB creams are categorised according to skin types rather than color tones, so you can wear the product according to your skin conditions.

How is it different to a tinted moisturiser? A tinted moisturiser only hydrates and evens out the complexion with minimal coverage, a foundation covers the skin with a layer of color and gives it a flawless finish. BB creams go above and beyond that and moisturise, protect, and corrects flaws.

I have chosen 3 reasonably priced BB creams to review.

Garnier, Miracle skin perfector: €13.99 
This product basically does what it says it does, no more. I used the medium colour and think it has a nice glow, when first applied I thought it had a bit of an orange tone, but once blended it looks fine.  My skin is on the drier side, so this works well with my skin and keeps it hydrated. This can replace my moisturiser, but because I prefer a little more protection I tend to use a product with SPF 30+ underneath as this product only has SPF 15. This offers a very light coverage that is not buildable, and I'm fine with that because I don't think that's it's purpose. I don't think it would work well for people with oily skin as it is a quite oily cream. The coverage does not last all day, but I don't mind that as I'm not  a big make up wearer during the week.

Nivea, 5in1 beautifying moisturiser: €8.49
This was the cheapest of the BB creams I reviewed and defiantly my least favorite. I used the medium/dark shade and found it too dark even tho I have a quite olive complexion and a slight tan as its summer. The product does not glide smoothly at all and is very quick at setting. You have literally 30 seconds to do your entire face before looking like a camouflage suit. The BB cream has a very thick texture similar to that of the original Nivea. I feel maybe this cream might be suited better to an oily skin as I have quite dry skin it felt like my skin was a sponge absorbing the product and my skin looked very uneven and blotchy. It also only has SPF 10 which I don't feel is high enough.

Maybelline, Dream pure BB:€11.99 
This product was by far my favourite. This product has 2% salicylic acid which is great for acne prone skin.  I used the medium and found the colour was perfect.
It provides light/medium coverage which is enough for me and is very lightweight so it feels like I have no foundation on. It does not completely cover blemishes but helps to even out skin tone. It has a natural but matte finish which is gorgeous and makes my skin feel incredibly soft. For sensitive skin it is perfect and despite salicylic acid sounding harsh it is actually incredibly gentle. I did not have any reaction or drying of my skin while using this product. 

I found that this definitely helped with blemishes and even reduced the appearance of my acne scarring.

Sinead. x

D.I.Y. Hairstyling Essentials!

A question I often get asked by a lot of my clients is " How do I achieve this look at home?"

I believe that a basic hairstyling kit is just as essential as a make-up bag in any girls beauty routine. A lot of money tends to be wasted on products or equipment that is not needed, if you know how to use what you already have, most hair styling looks are pretty achievable at home.

I will start off with the tools/equipment needed to cater to most hairstyling needs.

1. Hairdryer: A decent hairdryer will not only last you years, but can be used to add volume and body to hair, smooth ends and quicken your styling time. As a general guideline any good hairdryer will have power of 2000w or more.
2. Hair Straighteners: Modern ceramic straighteners have revolutionized home hair styling, with many of us at a loss without our beloved G.H.D.'s!! Straighteners really is a deceptive name for this styling tool, you can achieve a variety of looks from smoothing straight to flicks,curls,waves and volume in any hair length greater than 4 inches. It just takes a little patience and practice to master the use of this styling tool and your hair is ready for any occasion!
3. Brushes/ Combs: Your hair type and desired look will dictate what brushes/combs should be essential to you. As a general guide, a wide tooth detangling comb, a pin tail comb, flat vent brush, a small/medium/large barrel brush for short/medium/long hair to blow dry with and a backcombing brush for body/upstyling.  This combo of 5 is all you need and they are readily available in most chemists or Penney's stores for reasonable prices!
4. Clips and hair ties: A small selection of hair clips for pinning up hair, sectioning clips to help you style your hair and hair ties for ponytails/ upstyles are handy to have, especially for long haired ladies who want to save a bit of time with their hair styling. Again available from most chemists or Penny's for 2 euro a packet. Try to get clips that are similar to your own hair colour for a more polished look. 

I will now move on to products, which is where most of us tend to fall into bad habits and have half used bottled hair miracles strewn in a forgotten drawer! The type of products you need depend on your hair type and texture but for styling purposes only 4 products are really essential.

1. Blow drying product: This is where your individual hair type really come into play. Mousse (volume, curls), leave-in conditioner (dry hair, heat protection), hair oils( smoothing, nourishment) and lotions (volume, smoothing, heat protection) all fall into this category. It is essential at this stage of styling not to overload your hair with product, one of these should be enough. Most products now are clearly labelled and divided into hair types, so chose the type which matches your own needs.
2. Finishing product: These are for use after you have dried your hair to polish your style, again dependent on your hair type. Serums/glazes are popular for smoothing and shine, waxes, putty's, clays for hair texture, and sprays for hold/shine. One type of finishing product is normally sufficient for longer lasting style.
3. Hairspray: Every girl should have a tin of hairspray! It can help to hold any style on any hair length, which in a country like Ireland with wild weather is a must and is the foundation for up-styling your own hair.
4. Dry Shampoo: I am always praising the virtues of dry shampoo, it is such an underrated product that can make d.i.y. styling easier. From freshening up a day old blow-dry and fringes, to a backcombing aid without the stickiness of hairspray, to adding matt texture to curls and short hair, it is a product no styling kit should be without!

This is my comprehensive essential home hairstyling kit, with these tools/products it is easier to achieve quicker simpler home styling without being overwhelmed by too many items.

Katie.