I Blog Fashion - BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Prepare for some major news folks. I Blog Fashion is STYLING the Joanne Hynes catwalk show at London Fashion Week this season!  The presentation entitled ‘Guerriers’ /‘Warriors’ is inspired by the West of Ireland (Joanne’s home turf), our own warrior queen Grainne Ni Mhuiel and features a unique capsule collaboration with artist Helen Steele.  This cannot-be-missed runway reveal will take place at 11.45am at the Freemason’s Hall, Covent Garden on Sunday, February 22^nd.  Tickets can be requested in Ireland from SRMPR (sonia (at) srmpr (dot) ie) or UK and internationally from SNOW PR (vicki (at) snowpr (dot) com). 

PS: To say I'm excited is an understatement.

www.joannehynes.com
www.helensteele.com
www.iblogfashion.blogspot.com

Inside Style - The Seventies

As featured in The Dubliner magazine - January 27th

After a season of snow, the sniffles and incessant talk about national solvency, the spring / summer collections are bid to return! Yes, I knew you’d be excited; even if there’s no chance of wearing anything that isn’t thermal/waterproof/doesn’t convert into a tent for at least another three months. That being said, if and when, the sun decides to grant us with its presence, there’s a big chance we’ll all be stepping back in time.

It appears the seventies are making a comeback and with it the promise of high-waisted bell bottom trousers, stacked wedges and octopus-inspired felt hats (insert cynicism here). It’s not that I can’t get down with a Studio 54 vibe. It’s just the fact that there is only one Bianca Jagger, there was only one Farrah Fawcett and there will never be, with good reason, another Bee Gees. Self-reflexive irony has cavorted wantonly across the fashion terrain for years (think American Apparel, the Bernard Shaw, Vanilla Ice). It’s gotten so that clothing has become effectively past tense where the spirits of bygone muses are ‘channelled’ into looks with sell-by dates. It’s time we put an end to era recycling. Now! (She dismounts her soapbox.)

I’ll be the first to admit that fashion is essentially postmodern in its reconfiguration of the erstwhile. Yet even last season’s Mad Men homage fell foul to the everyday reality of rain, wind and general ‘can I be arse Spanxing myself into a circle skirt and skin tight sweater’- even if the figure-friendly look did involve more accommodating kitten heels. The truth is despite the days getting longer or mercury potentially rising, there’s only so much a gal can be bothered suffering for fashion’s sake.

Let’s break it down. It’s a balmy evening. I’m having a pasta-free week and decide to opt for a diaphanous blouse, macramé scarf and some Charlie’s Angels denim flares. Permanently inhaling (but happy), I strap on five inch cork platforms and decide it is indeed a night for dancing. Question time! Do I a) get told by the doorman that ‘fancy dress does not mean you’ll get in free; no matter how old you are’ (ouch!) or b) receive an unsolicited edict from the taxi driver that ‘if you remembered it the first time, you shouldn’t be wearing it the second time’? Either way, I think I’ve proven my point.  

werthers original

Ah, exams are all over and life may resume as normal. The library is back to it's usual empty self and everybody can finally crawl out their rooms to socialise, guilt free. I found out today that I've got a place to study at Amherst Massachusetts for a semester next year which I am very, very excited about. Just as long as I don't cock up my grades hopefully this time next year I'll be stateside with election fever in the air and lots of roadtrip opportunities with various friends also on exchange in Missouri, California and Tennessee.

To celebrate the good news I headed to Topshop and picked up some pretty underwear as well as this top. Because of course my wardrobe is lacking where brown is concerned.. (sort of embarrassing queueing up to buy this when I already resembled a human Werthers Original in brown suede trousers and a beige jumper.)

click to see more personal wears.

New Janey Baby collection by Baby Soy at Cute Little Me

Janey Baby Collection is a collaboration between Babysoy and The Jane Goodall Institute. The line features whimsical drawings of endangered species discussed in Dr. Goodall's book Hope for Animals and Their World.

This collection uses long staple organic cotton + soybean fiber to provide superior softness and warmth retention. Artworks are printed with water-based ink.

Proceeds from each sale benefit the Jane Goodall Institute and its programs.

Fam Irvoll Launches New Girls Collection Little Cupcakes

Well know Norwegian designer Fam Irvoll has launched a new girl's collection - Little Cupcakes.

Fam Irvoll's childrenswear sets itself apart from the rest of the market. Much like her mainline collection her designs are quirky yet absolutely irresistible, she takes her inspirations from all things cute, strawberries, the color pink, and anything that Alice in Wonderland!

Fam is a strong believer of childhood and this is seen through her collection, she believes that childhood is sacred and that it should be enjoyed, children tend to grow up too fast!

Ella Moss Winter Clearance - Get up to 65% off Today Only!

Ella Moss is offering up to 65% off on select baby, girls and womens clothing!

Offer valid today only so shop now!

Special Savings this week at Kidorable!

Kidorable is offering special savings this week!

- 10% off boots, knitwear or towels Expires: January 29 Coupon code GROUNDHOG4
- 10% off towels or backpacks from Expires: January 29. Coupon code: GROUNDHOG5
- New Kidorable Style! The Ballerina! Free ballerina umbrella on any order over $20. Expires: January 29 Coupon code: DANCE4.

Monsoon Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

>The new season has arrived at Monsoon, bringing with it the Spring/Summer essentials for your wardrobe in 2011.

Enjoy Free UK Delivery when you spend £100!

Jacadi Winter Sale - Last Markdown Up to 50% off!

Jacadi is offering up to 50% off the Winter 2010 collection. Don't miss your last chance to save!

Jacadi's beginnings are in the passion for childhood. Jacadi's merchandise is a European style which adapts the latest trends to classic design and allows the customer to "mix and match'' the various styles and color groups.

Francoise Studio Collection Manoir – Spring Summer 2011

Francoise Studio Collection Manoir – Spring Summer 2011 has arrived.

This beautiful Manoir Anastasia 2-layer apron twirl dress is just perfect for any occasions such as birthday party, Easter, portrait pictures, weddings .... The bodice is fully lined. You will obtain a perfect fit with the elasticized back bodice and the straps that tie in the back.

The Manoir collection features classic, elegant, stylish outfits making it a must for your Princess’ wardrobe!

Modern Vintage

I popped into Oxfam Vintage the other day on George's Street for a bit of a goo. Low and behold, I found this gorgeous floral number with pussy bow detail - quite the box ticker, eh? I'm not really a pink kinda gal but the knife pleats create a more structured look and there are lovely cameo hues of dove grey and fuchsia that make it less girlie girlie. It has to be said, this iPhone pic doesn't do it quite the justice it deserves, especially since I snagged it for a whopping €10. Bargain! Nice one...

LamanBlu Eco-Friendly Designer Girls Clothing Releases Fall I 2011 Lookbook

LamanBlu releases lookbook for Fall I 2011. See the colors, styles and attitudes for this early fall delivery from the up and coming Rising Star Award recipient and much talked about eco-friendly designer collection for all little twirly girls.

Cozy log cabins and forests of aspen convey the key feeling for the season. The forests quickly become enchanted for children, tinged in medieval lore with lush materials and deep saturated colors. Wrap them in the luxury of sustainable fabrics – from beautifully draping bamboo to organic cottons to delightful faux furs – all trimmed in cotton lace and soft velvet ribbons.


LamanBlu has divided their collection for fall along classic women’s wear seasons, introducing Fall I for an early fall delivery, with Fall II/Holiday to be released by March for a late fall delivery.  “This is giving us an opportunity to appeal to the early adopters for the season, with a collection focused for back to school and then introducing fresh merchandise focused on the winter and holiday season,” says Holli Gibson, designer for LamanBlu.

LamanBlu’s color palette for the season encompasses the bright and yummy colors of boysenberry, blackberry, marshmallow, granny smith apple and chocolate – accented with porcelain, mallard and chateau rose. All of which present a warm yet colorful appeal for the back to school season. Solids in varying color tonal combinations and contrasts rule the season, but there are also snow leopard prints and digital antique lace prints as well.

LamanBlu continues with their classic and wearable silhouettes, all made special by their extensive detailing and attention to those details. In addition to cotton lace and velvet ribbons, embroideries provide surface interest in both matching and contrast colors. Sweetheart dresses and tops reminisce of a bygone era of prettiness along with scalloped bottom skirts. Swing T’s and leggings with lettuce hemming provide numerous layering options. The ballet jumper dress and top can be either elegant or funky depending on coloration and layering choices and are accented with either leather or taffeta roses. The layered full circular skirt twirls like none other. Top them all with a beautiful bustle jacket for style and warmth. Accessory pieces include hats and fur capes and skirts.

To view the lookbook, visit http://lamanblu.blogspot.com/2011/01/lamanblu-releases-its-fall-i-2011.html

Oilily Winter Sale Continues

Be quick to enjoy up to 40% off at the Oilily online shop for baby, girls, boys and moms too!

KidCuteTure Launches Fall/Winter 2011 Girls Line

KidCuteTure's Fall/Winter '11 collection is designed for a girl with a funky attitude, exquisite taste, timeless style and an adventurous spirit.

The color palette elegantly mixes cool heather gray with bright silver, energetic red and shy tea rose - all blended into combination of electrifying and modern stripes. New this season are warm knit dresses, city-chic poncho, adorable cardigans and a line of knit hats and scarves.

KidCuteTure continues to design necklines free of closure hardware - everything is pull-over style and we now also offering size 14.

KidCuteTure strives to design creative clothes that don't look like anyone else's - and continue to surprise customers every season.

Kashka - New Baby Line from KidCuteTure

Elegant and imaginative line of girl’s fashions KidCuteTure is launching a highly anticipated baby line called Kashka. The playful range of clothing and accessories for infants and toddlers (3 months to 4T), translates KidCuteTure signature look of gorgeous fabrics, artsy silhouettes and surprising embellishments into a collection comprised of girly playsuits, coordinates, hats, blankets and one-of-a-kind dresses. For the first time, KidCuteTure also incorporates boy styles in variety of festive stripes and appliqués.

With Kashka, the creative team behind the successful KidCuteTure label is bringing to market competitively-priced, original baby designs crafted in exquisitely soft jersey cottons. Simply named Kashka, the line draws its name and inspiration for its fashionable styles from the designer’s own background.

Kashka’s designer, Natasha Pantelyat describes: “In Russian, the word “kashka” represents all mixed, blended and chopped food for the babies. In other words, it’s any nutritious mix that sustains our babies. In fashion, it’s Kashka by KidCuteTure that nourishes the individuality and style from the earliest age. If you’re searching the market for funky baby clothes that are beautifully designed, edgy, high quality and luxuriously soft - you’ve just found Kashka!”

Agoo Leggings Blowout Warehouse Clearance!

The Agoo Leggings Blowout Warehouse event is on!

For a limited time only get up to 75% off on Agoo Leggings - prices start at $3!

Plus get free shipping on orders $50!

Naartjie Kids Clothes - Last Chance to Save on Winter Collection

Naartjieis offering an additional 30% off the entire stock of
clearance items. Find great savings now through January 26.

Umi Baby Shoes at the Golden Globes in Hollywood

Umi had a lot of Hollywood stars visiting us at the Golden Globes in Hollywood. Lots of stars are having babies and Umi was on their "must have" list. From Dennis Quaid to Sarah Drew and Eric Stonestreet everyone was all over Umi's collection.

Pictured clockwise from top left:

Sarah Drew, Grey's Anatomy
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Tinsel Korey, Twilight Series, New Moon, Eclipse
Dennis Quaid, Best performance by actor in a mini series (The Special Relationship)

IMAGE - Ireland's 100 Most Inspiring Women

O.K. Picture this. It's Saturday afternoon. I'm finishing a deadling, drinking coffee and basically chilling in my comfies at my laptop. I realise if I don't head up to the corner shop to get some provisions, I'll feel to lazy to move and just order Chinese. Bundled up, I truck on down to the KCR where I grab some provisions and the February issue of IMAGE magazine. Low and behold, my name appears in a feature entitled: Ireland's 100 Most Inspiring Women. How amazing is that? I love it when you have no idea of something and you see it and think 'Wow!' So, thank you IMAGE and 'Wow!' As an avid reader of your magazine, I'm very pleased indeed. May I also add, I am deleriously exicted about the reference to my frame as 'enviably slim'. Given that I am still nursing the post-Christmas mortification of splitting my leather Joanne Hynes dress (with my arse), this is a MAJOR ego boost. I would marry you all if you'd have me (and said burgeoning bum). Thanks again! xxx

things

things on my mind:

top row: bare legs, black dress, minimal make up via tourist magazine, kate elson's (with karen elson) outfit, tulips, lauren hutton.

middle row: cooking topless a la kate moss, seventies hair (and checked blouse) at rodarte SS11, scout niblett's hair and pinafore, perfect outfit (long coat, cosy hat) via annebernecker.com.

bottom row: macs and midriff at michael kors SS11, sexy tomboy at columbia road via annebernecker.com, flower markets.

cher

Here's a little Cher flavoured summat summat on this Saturday afternoon. The song is naturally a classic gem but also take note of her matching striped jumper-trouser combo. One of the looks from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Winter 2010 collection comes to mind. When there are skirt suits and short suits and suit suits, what's not to love about the concept of a jumper suit?Also her hair is bloody grand. I wish I had the ability to wear a fringe like that, I always feel like fringes take too much maintance than I can be bothered with but if there is any hair to advocate the brilliance of fringes, I'd say it's Cher circa 1965.

Inside Style - Sick Bed Chic

Inside Style by Annmarie O'Connor 

as featured in The Dubliner - January 20th

Pyjama chic - SS/11
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Karen Walker, Vena Cava, Suno, Band of Outsiders. Photos courtesy of the designers.
Image courtesy of Refinery29.com

There’s nothing stylish about being sick. Once claimed by the winter lurgy, even the idea of looking good induces a sense of nausea. Sure, Victorian literature may have drip fed us images of consumptive heroines, pink-cheeked and febrile, dressed in layers of tulle but the reality is much divorced from that of those wacky Brontës.

This I know. For the past week I’ve been laid out in my Dunnes fleece PJs and snowflake robe vowing to kill the spore-sprayer who bequeathed me with such a vile dose. Let’s face it.  There’s no way of sexing up jim jams; especially when you’re sporting an attendant case of unkempt roots and abject jaundice. 

At least there’s the prescient comfort of being alone, in bed, without being forced into public glare...until those critical supplies of Lemsip and Lucozade dry up. Cue:  the epic journey to the corner shop dressed in two fur coats, three snoods, a Cossack hat and a redundant slick of MAC Russian Red seeping into large dehydrated crags that were once my lips.

This is when I start to feel sorry for small children and those with underlying heart conditions. They shouldn’t feel forced to witness this hobbling creature from the deep stocking up on fluids, however low her electrolytes may be.  Even my adopted stray cat, Mr. Scruff, has been noticeably absent at the back door.  I however take no responsibility for the recent rash of birds dropping from the sky. That’s simply an insult too much.

Thankfully, I appear to be on the mend and to celebrate I’ve dusted down my new pair of Anne-Sofie Back trousers which have been waiting in my wardrobe to fulfil their manifest destiny. As cosmic spite would have it, I’m probably the only person to have gain weighted after enduring local shame and a liquid diet for over seven days.  Looks like the closest thing I’ll be getting to Swedish avant-garde is an odd glance into that random-looking Ikea mirror in the front hall.

Although I may still be a little soft around the post-Christmas edges, at least I have my health back. Now it’s just a question of bringing myself to wear a tracksuit and MBTs while these mince pie saddle bags shift.  Sigh. I guess my fashionable new year still awaits...

Shady Pines

 

Found this brilliant editorial with Stella Tennant from US Harpers Bazaar, April 1999.

I love Tennant's simple hair (while I'm painstakingly growing my fringe out again and returning to my centre parting this makes me think it's worth the effort) the mid-length day coats, hum-drum window leaning boredom and her bucket hat. Still not able to let go of the 'gone fishing' headgear look..
Note also the copy underneath the images ('every woman should experience the mysterious allure of a mac') and the 'the quickest route to looking chic is to keep it really simple' if ever there is a style philosophy to follow, I'd say that's it right there.

Images from The Fashion Spot.

Introducing Cranky Kids - If They're Going to Be Cranky, at Least They'll Be Fly

The idea for Cranky Kids Clothing began in 2008 with the lack of cool clothing options, mainly for boys. The creator of this independent line, Yolanda Williams is a mother who understands the pressure of keeping her son fresh while still attending to her motherly duties. Shirt ideas are created during naps and the owner feels that the fashion world is just as chaotic as mommy hood so why not put the two together.

Cranky Kids Clothing gives parents cooler options for their children’s wardrobe. It’s easy to take a Disney or Nickelodeon character and just throw it on a shirt, but it takes creativity to provide parents with an alternative that strays from the norm.

Cranky Kids Clothing consists of cut and sewn crewneck sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies and cardigans. The pieces are handmade and emphasize cool designs that mimic an adult style. The line is for children between the ages of 2-5, the ones who most designers forget about, just because they watch Diego and Dora all day doesn’t mean they want to wear it and even if they do, they are too young to make such a serious decision.

Servane Barrau Designs Petit Monde Summer 2011 Collection

Servane Barrau Designs has introduced the first release of the incredible summer line - Petit Monde!

For the Petit Monde collection Servane Barrau has worked for the very first time on her own pattern fabrics.

Discover the fabulous World of Petit Monde, meaning "Small World" in french. Petit Monde a place for children where imagination becomes reality. You smell the scents of candies, innocence of the childhood and hear the giggles of our Lil'Ones!

This collection is fresh, bright and as always perfectly constructed around childhood memories...

Mini Boden 2011 Collection - 15% plus FREE shipping and returns

The Mini Boden 2011 Collection is now online.....Get 15% plus FREE shipping and returns.

Founded in 1991, Boden is today one of the UK's most successful and fastest growing catalogue/Internet clothing companies.

20% off Storewide at Shabby Apple

Shabby Apple is celebrating the New Year with a 20% off storewide sale throughout January. Enter coupon code winter20 to receive 20% of your order.

Shabby Apple Baby by Addi & Kinsi is a unique line of baby, girls and women's dresses that are cleverly made for everyday wear. Their dresses are versatile and can be worn with leggings, skinny jeans, or by themselves. Shabby Baby dresses are made with 100% cotton designer fabric and were manufactured in the USA.

Lemon Loves Lime Arrives to Everything But The Princess

Lemon Loves Lime spring 2011 collection has arrived to online girls boutique Everything But The Princess.

Each piece from Lemon Loves Lime collection is wonderfully unique and resembles cherished memories of our daughters' childhood that we hold dear in our hearts; their exuberant smiles and laughs of happiness, their tears of sadness and fright, their innocent curiosity and wonder of the world before them, as well as their playful mischief.

New this season is Lemon Loves Lime Baby - Sweet Treats for babies 6-24 months.
The girls collections available in sizes 3-10.

Get 10% off at UMI & Winter Clearance 40% off

Umi Shoes is offering discounts of 40% on Winter Clearance! Just use code UMI40. This offer is only valid as long as supplies last, so promote now.

Plus, save 10% on your order at UmiShoes.com with code umi10 and get Free Shipping on orders over $50 at UmiShoes.com!

PS Aeropostale Martin Luther King Day Sale

For one day only, tomorrow, January 17th PS Aeropostale has a special offer - take $20 off $80 with Code ONEDAY20.

AlexandAlexa January 2011 Magazine Online Now

Online retailer AlexandAlexa has launched their January 2011 online magazine.

Check out the hottest brands for 2011, Spring 2011 must haves, Ralph Lauren's Spring collection and more!

New at Francoise Studio: Je t'aime un peu beaucoup

Francoise Studio has a new hoodie dress just in time for Valentines Day.

The Je t'aime ... un peu ... beaucoup ... a la folie... pas du tout....Love me … love me not dress is a very fun and unique hoodie dress made out of 100% cotton interlock. The dress has been hand printed with non toxic fabric ink.

Born in Paris, France, Francoise Lama-Solet began sewing at a young age hoping to pursue her dream of working for the ‘Couture Ateliers’ of the big designers or les Ateliers Lesage.

Today Francoise is a successful "mompreneur" living in California designing her unique French / European style children's clothing. 

colouring, watching, gushing

Went and checked my postbox earlier to find three packages were waiting for me, all things I'd completely forgotten I'd ordered over the holidays. This semester I'm going to make a bit of an effort to curb my spending on silly little things that add up. Mainly bus fare and the take away coffees I usually buy to perk me up just before a lecture. So, ta-da, a insulated travel mug! Along with a tin of Caran D'ache pens I ordered from Amazon the other day when suddenly overcome by the urge to...colour in? My Granny used to buy me sets of Caran D'ache when I was little-I remember spending so long labouring over a picture of an underwater scene of spotted octopus and stripey fish and bright coral each day after school for a Blue Peter competition and then missing the deadline when I liked it too much to want to send it in. Maybe it's just fond memories like this but in a sad way I'm kind of feeling just 'drawing' at the moment.  Maybe something to do with catching up with the genius Isabel's Animal Talk and missing having a pen between my fingers to draw rather than write with. On the subject of Isabel, she never fails to amaze me, she creates such cool little sculptures. Supersized Geodes or tongue-in-cheek 'cake landscapes' that are painted in colours so knee-weakeningly pretty that you're torn between wanting to pop them in your mouth and chew them like bubblegum or crawl into them and never come out.

And something I was very excited about is this copy of US Vogue from 1961. With mini reviews for Breakfast at Tiffanys and West Side Story and an awful lot of adverts for mink coats and stockings and lipstick and ford cars having a leaf through it felt very Betty Draper. It was sent to me by Leanne who is working for Sky Atlantic, which I've been really excited about launching after reading about it in various 'What to look out for in 2011' magazine features over Christmas. There is always something about January and fantastic television schedules that makes me feel all excited and compelled to confine myself indoors every night with a hot water bottle and strict viewing plans. As an American Studies student and general US cultcha nerd I'm especially excited for the launch of a channel with so many stateside exports. Treme (I couchsurfed with a guy whose Dad was working on it when I was in Venice Beach), Boardwalk Empire, new Mad Men (don't get me started..) yadda yadda.

All in all a bit of a gushy post. And here is a nice chilled song to remedy the overexcited tone..

you see, I see, go see

Gorgeous go-see photograph of model shot by Juergen Teller. Just goes to prove that having crackalackin chin definition always takes a poloneck that extra mile. Sigh.. (image via Letty Schmiterlow)

back in the manchester groove

Ah, back in the Manchester groove. Arrived back 'home' (is it home? I never quite know what to call it..) yesterday and it feels so good to be reunited with everybody, despite the impending exams hanging over our heads and the fact we're all unable to avoid 'oh, I haven't done any revision' type conversations which only serve to distress and egg each other on in a bad way. Today I'm wearing my new Benetton jumper which I bought from eBay the other week for a steal of 99p. Now less chat and more work. Off to the library I go..

Childrensalon Further Reductions Up To 70% + NEW Spring 2011 Collections

Childrensalon is offering up to 70% off Fall/Winter 2010 items plus shop the new Spring/Summer 2011 Collections that are arriving daily!

Established in 1952, Childrensalon has grown from selling beautiful own-brand handmade dresses and boys suits from it’s store in the UK to being the internets largest children’s designer fashion, toys and gifts retailer.

Childrensalon offers over 220 children’s designers; including Burberry, Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Junior Gaultier, D&G Junior, Armani, I Pinco Pallino and Fendi - to more sought-after emerging designers such as Lesy, Pamilla, Cap Ras- all hand picked from our buyers with over 60 years experience between them.

Add traditional and contemporary toys, gifts for all ages, special occasion wear, accessories and shoes and you begin to have an idea of the 12,000 products on offer, with new items added daily and all available worldwide.

style notes for the guys

Calypso jumper (via through a glass darkly) / Damon Albarn in a Nike hoodie/ George Clooney's shirt in 'One Fine Day'/ Charles Bukowski/ Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water/ Burberry shirt/ swimming man/ Woody Harrelson/ Clementines (I've lost count of how many I've eaten over the past two months..)

And this camp spectacle of a performance by The Rubettes. I love how much energy they have and how mismatched it is against the crowd's obligatory steady clapping. If I ever end up getting married, or just throwing a huge birthday party I may find a tribute act to recreate this just for the hilarity. But first need to sort out George Michael singing Careless Whisper to me on a table for my 21st. I like the idea of an awkward intimate performance for each milestone birthday..

Inside Style - Age Limits

Inside Style by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner magazine - January 13th

Age - I never quite act mine. At four years old, I advised my mother to cancel my imminent birthday party as I would not be turning five. This refusal to engage with the process of growing up has stood me in good fashion stead. In an industry where airbrushing and Photoshop blast away the sands of time, my Peter Pan-like proclivities fit in quite nicely.

Well, that’s what I thought. A recent visit to a city centre clothing store taught me I appear more hip replacement than hipster.  Browsing through rails of Breton tops, braces and fluro mesh I was approached by a concerned staff member. “Do you need any help?” enquired the bespectacled blonde. “No, thank you,” I replied, impressed by the customer service.

Seconds later, as I approached the gold lamé bras and Lady GaGa pants, another sales assistant wearing similar Buddy Holly frames beseeched me accordingly. “Are you okay?” she asked with concern. “Yes,” I blurted. Paranoid, I caught my reflection in one of the mirrors. A routine inspection dispensed with fears of spinach-clad teeth, wind-swept hair, smeared lippie et al. So just why was I getting the ‘security, please!’ vibe?

Puzzled, I continued to flirt with rainbow racks of tees and stripy tube socks and questionable tie dye.  I lifted up lacy confections as alien beings, renouncing just about everything with a mental diatribe: ‘too pricey, ‘too see through’, ‘too silly’.  And that’s before castigating the music because I didn’t ‘know the words’.  Then it hit me...

If Carlsberg made epiphanies, they’d avoid mine on account of being too cringe-worthy. Aware of my fifteen year disadvantage over most of the staff and patrons, I quickly skulked out of the double glass doors and made my way home.

I felt as if I’d morphed into Edina Monsoon – a risible perma-teen only minus the Ab Fab wardrobe budget.  It was confirmed. My demographic is commanding less sartorial sway with each eroding year. One more wrinkle and I’m fashion roadkill. Gulp...

Still, if there’s one thing Eddie and I have in common, it’s that place called Denial where Bolly runs in rivers, everyone is a size 8 and cellulite an urban myth.  With that I called my own Patsy sidekick and hit up The Octagon for a cocktail as big as my age.  It may only be a number but it’s also a handy excuse for an afternoon tipple.

wrapping up

Duffle Coat, Uniqlo/ Perfume, Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier/ Tote by Margaret Howell/ 

Tartan Scarf, Lands End/ Dress, Topshop Boutique / Plain Moleskine/ Navy and White 420, New Balance/

Ah, January. That grey month when bitter fingers and continuous rainfall are still the norm, and because it feels like Spring may never come warm cosy clothes to get you through the grey days are paramount. It's raining cats and dogs outside and impending exams are looming over my head-this is my perfect 'sling on some layers and run to the library' outfit. See pockets on Uniqlo duffle which are perfect for burying fingers and biros and a bag of nuts for snack time.