Hat's Off

Another post, another embarrassing pun as a title - I have an incredible knack for conjuring them up on the spot. The festive Coca Cola ads are finally upon us, unofficially marking the beginning of the holiday season (I let out a squeal reminiscent of a banshee when I first saw the ad in question two weeks ago).

As a strict "I'm not a hat person" person, I have finally let down my prejudice against the head socks (I like to play around with words) and am now on the quest for the perfect hat. Nothing chic or en vogue. No, the kind of hat I'm looking for is similar to the kind that many children would have put up a fight with their mothers in a desperate attempt to not have to wear it out and risk social suicide.

Yes, the cringe worthy knits mothers forced over the heads of their children despite moans and groans. Think Macaulay Culkin's adorbs, little bobble hat collection in Home Alone and Ron Weasley's utter disgust at the maroon "R" sweaters that arrived at Hogwarts, from mummy with love, at Christmas.

What I would give to have had such novelty woollen delights bestowed upon me during the Winter months. Now, I scour charity shops for the tackiest Christmas sweaters and hats I can find but each year, I'm left empty handed. A search on Ebay also proved to be fruitless; I found the perfect Christmas jumper, complete with deers, only to zoom in and find that the deers were getting more than just a kiss under the mistletoe, shall I say. And moving swiftly on...

I'm in desperate need of a bobble hat. They are so cutesy and innocent and now that my hair is shoulder length, I feel that I'm ready to embrace hats. The pair in the title image are from ASOS and as my birthday is fast approaching, I will have to treat myself to one. Below are a pair I stumbled across on Tumblr (I'll look into them) and the latter, from INDCSN is my favourite. It just screams "Seasons Greetings", doesn't it?

The Soho Market

On my travels around Dublin's, so they say, fair city, I've often noticed shops that look promising but have never actually ventured into them. The one I've been passing for months that looked so intriguing is The Soho Market in Stephen's Green SC. From the displays in the window and even the font of the name of the shop, I could tell it was a place I'd love.

Finally took the time to give it a chance yesterday with my friend and I'm so glad I did. Think Urban Outfitter's Renewal Section meets Topshop meets, the best part, cheap prices.
I had a kind of mid year resolution almost, to start buying things with more care and to stop buying tops that are over €30, because it's a blatant rip off - as lovely as the top may be.
It is a small shop but, unlike most clothes stores, the clothes were layed out perfectly and not in a jumbled mess and it was so easy to find things which is great for someone like me who can never find anything. And it may have just been me, but it was like there was a "Summer" rack, an "Autumn" and a "Winter" rack as it seemed like the clothes on each rack were suited to a certain time of the year, with the Summer rack full of chiffon, floral dresses, the Autumn with mustard yellows and Aran-knit cardies and the Winter rack with very dark colours, mostly black, and shimmer and glitter which, personally, remind me of the festivity of winter.
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There were plenty of florals, knits and clothes that seemed much more expensive than they where. The staff were lovely and didn't get all up in your face when you were looking at things, which when you're terrified of people, that can be a problem.
The best thing I found was definitely a pair of black, biker boots for a, wait for it, amazing €19 which I'm tempted to return and make mine, I didn't want to leave without them!
I know there's one in Dun Laoighre too so if you live in Dublin do check it out.

Crop top I got for €9