Hello 2014

Hello 2014, last year was one tough ride.

We finished 2013 on a great note with our new house and a beautiful first Christmas in it, but I'm glad to see the back of it. There were many tears, of sadness and frustrations, it was a difficult one, we said goodbye to my grandad, whom I adored. Things improved during the summer, the weather was just beautiful, like never in all my years living in Ireland. Costa del Galway was magical, swiming in the Atlantic was a highlight.

I will never forget seeing that dolphin in Dalkey, I have never experienced anything like this before, I 'knew' who you were and I felt your healing warmth it in my heart. It worked.

There were plenty good things too, plenty laughter, beautiful sunsets in Benirras in Ibiza, my amazing husband who I love more everyday and our brand new house that we finally found and bought!

And lets not forget Maxi, you little dote with white paws.

Anyway, here is to a new year, new hopes, bring it on, I know it will be a good one, lets make it happen.

Floral dress

If someone had told me  years ago that my wardrobe would be full of dresses, I wouldn't have believed them. I was a jeans and trousers only kind of girl.

These days I mostly wear dresses, for work, going out, dressed down etc.. my favorites are midi length, 3/4 length sleeves. And Floral  dresses, I absolutely love them, to the point that I need to restrain myself in shops now. I saw this super cute in Zara  yesterday on sale. Cant decide, yes/no, I have so many already. But this one, is a fab length, has pockets ( how I love pockets) its reduced to 29 eur.. and there is a fab detail in the back, open bare back, just a bit, just enough to make it interesting.

Should I go for it?

Skirts

I have always loved skirts, they are so flattering and feminine.
Worn with runners, flip flops, boots, ballerinas, heels, they can be dressy, relaxed, girlie.
It is hard to find the right combination of length, shape, pattern, but when you find the right one, you'll wear it forever.

These are my inspiration

Blue Double Split Midi Skirt

Lovely green midi skirt from Etsis

Love the bold yellow stripe

Katie Holmes- Maxi skirt

Love the beautiful length & shape. Fabulous color too.

Pearl ring

Last year we spent Christmas in Australia. We went to the Paddington Market in Sydney one afternoon and  I fell in love with a ring. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful mother of pearl gold  ring.
I didnt buy it, it was less than 80$ but I had a serious case  of indecision, will I / will I not.. I still regret it to this day.

I have been looking for something similar, and haven't been able to find it anywhere. I have googled pearl rings 100000 of times, and nada. Pinterest, nada. Everytime I am in a jewelry shop, a market stall I have a quick hopeful look, but still nada. I have checked the Paddignton market website hoping that stall has some shop online, but nothing.

Lesson learned, next time I fall in love with with something like this, I will make sure I buy it!

Oh and the ring was gold, thin, with a mother of pearl. Understated, dainty. Jut perfect. I'll find it one day...

 This ring I have found online, would be the nearest thing. Designed by Sarah Beltran, beautiful, for sale at Barneys NY.

perfect sandal for the summer?

Ok, so I a have long life love affair with flip flops. As per my previous post, I could wear them all day long, every day of the year, with every outfit I have, but of course lets face it sometimes flips flops are not the appropriate shoe to wear. I have been looking for inspiration, for some casual sandals, and I have come across this Swedish brand: swedishhasbeens.

I think they are perfect in a casual understated way, girlie and romantic. Love them!
The right amount of heel, perfect colors and so sexy.




Sarah Jessica Parker, wears them all the time, so do Elisabeth Olsen and Michelle Williams.









Check out the Mary Jane sling back in red

Flip Flops

Garance Dore, my absolutely favorite blogger, well she is more than that, she is an artist. She is beautiful, I adore her style, her blog is such an inspiration www.garancedore.fr  her illustrations are incredible. I love everything about her! and her partner is Scott Shuman (from 'the sartorialist') what a combo! 

Anyway, one of her recent posts was about flip flops, she was saying how until a few years ago she didnt like them, but recently bought her first pair of Havainas and is loving them.

I love flip flops, if weather wasn't an issue I would wear them all year long, I've been known to walk  in them for miles, not a bother for me.

The sound they make while walking reminds me of my childhood, I love the way they look, they are smart, cute and very sexy. Yes, sexy. There is something minimalist, carefree and sexy about them, they go with everything. They are like the denim jacket worn with a very expensive gown.

I bring them to all my holidays, I have worn them everywhere, at the beach or in the city (NYC during July & august sweltering heat, in India, in Senegal where I lost one during torrential rain, a long story..).

If I had been brave enough I would have worn them as my wedding shoes.


My basic rules are:

- they should always be on the small side. Nothing worst than having flip flops that are too big, looking like you are wearing tennis rackets.

- pedicure done, nothing too perfect but cute varnish and 'fresh' looking feet are a must.

 - never EVER wear flip flop with heels, they should always be flat.


 






Beautiful Audrey Hepburn wearing a pair.






Jennisfer Aniston doing a casual chic in flip flops to perfection.


















Giselle, who lets face it could wear a bin bag and look like perfection.

My favorites at the moments, slim gold and black Havaianas.

hair inspiration: the perfect fringe

The perfect fringe is so hard to find, I am thinking of cutting mine and I am  looking for inspiration.
It needs the right combination of attitude, lightness, length, a somehow 'messy' look  yet well put together, these are the style I love.