Merry Fitmas

Merry Fitmas by sianconway on Polyvore

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree - Treetopia
treetopia.com

Polar Ft7 Women's Heart Rate Monitor
saksfifthavenue.com

Altus Be Fit Look Fit 32-lb. Dumbbell Set with Stand
walmart.com

What's new, pussycat?

What's new, pussycat? by sianconway featuring kate spade

Short sleeve dress
topshop.com

Manolo blahnik
marissacollections.com

Chanel
malleries.com

Kate spade
dillards.com

Maison michel
net-a-porter.com

Vintage eyewear
etsy.com

Paul Joe lip makeup
asos.com

My dream Halloween outfit, though I'd fain wear it every other day of the year - ears and all!
Loosely inspired by Hepburn and Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

Denim and Lace

The tail end of Ireland's winter weather (characterised by that delectable stretch in the evenings - the basis of many a conversation) is requiring me to abandon my trusty uniform of black and heavy layers for the looming summer months. Yes, the beginning of May plagued the country with a monsoon to rival those of India, but I know it's finally time to ditch the familiarity and reliability of chunky sweaters and jeans in favour of the less-forgiving world of bare legs, flowing materials and light colours.

Believe me, s/s 12's palpable obsession with all things sugar, spice and everything nice and irony-laced, Courtney Love-esque prom queen prim has been my favourite theme of any season since my fascination of the world of fashion engulfed me. However, like I've said before, I'm no slave to trends but my god, those powdered blues, sherbet yellows and princess-fairy pinks are enough to make my mouth water. I want nothing more than to embrace my four year old girliness with open arms.
Consider this outfit as a transitory step.

My sister's Confirmation (they grow up so fast) proved the prime event to crash test this baby. It was typically Baltic out and my legs suffered to say the least - in fact, you can see the formation of a cold-induced scowl on my face. It could be my subconscious desire to be Cecilia Lisbon, floating about in her short duration of the Virgin Suicides in her ragged, slanty-hemmed lace wedding dress, or how the innocence of white and lace together seems to suit my equally innocent nature - as I've countlessly been described as by others.
I'm not partial to dressing to the nines, I quite detest it actually. I prefer simplicity; scuffed brogues over heels, Levi's jacket over a polished blazer and daring to go au naturale. 17 years old and I embody a pre-pubescent child - I love it.

Levi's denim jacket - Vintage

Lace dress - Zara

Brogues - Office

Frilly socks - Topshop

Overdoing It

In order to ease myself into this post smoothly, I'm going to inaugurate with a disclaimer; I like Rihanna and if you have had a wee gander through this blog's archive, you would get that impression. Also, I do not feel that it is anyone's place to give critic on what others wear - it's not called "self expression" for nothing, right? I don't believe in these Sack the Stylist columns that crop up time and time again in magazines - let those who are without fashion sin cast the first stone and whatnot. However, with the availability of free speech, I feel the need to vent my distaste of a particular mode that is beginning to flaunt it's ugly head. This "trend" in question being the donning of a trend from head to toe.

There is no doubt that Rihanna's style has soared since her, erm, rather risque Rated R era. With Talk That Talk, her style has flirted with grunge and underground trends that, due to this affiliation with influential people like RiRi endorsing them, have sprung forth from their commonplace underground and made the transition into the mainstream.
Boy London, a 1970's punk brand founded by Stephane Raynor and a typical example of the above "underground trends", has, as of late, received this elevated status. As seen on the likes of Jessie J, Cher Lloyd and Rihanna, herself, you can only sit and ponder how long it will take for Primark to contrive a series of knockoffs. But the issue doesn't lie with the commercialisation of underground brands that would have remained, well, underground had they not have been scouted by A-list stylists. No, the real issue is when people (just like you, Rihanna) fail to remember that you can indeed have too much of a good thing.

Rihanna appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show tonight (3rd of March for those of you without a calendar or awareness of the year that is flying in), presumably to promote Talk That Talk and, coincidentally, talk that talk. Decked out entirely in Boy London, her skirt and blouse were adorned with the brand's eagle symbol and name. She topped off the look with black ankle boots and a, surprise surprise, Boy London peaked-cap with the brand name emblazoned across, inspiring many a dud joke like this one I whipped up just now: "What's black and white and Boy London all over?" Queue a badum tish, the croaking of crickets and more embarrassingly, a wandering tumbleweed. Tasteless jokes and digressing are my specialty.
Whether the "in your face" use of the brand was to ensure Rihanna didn't forget who designed her outfit if quizzed or as a bold declaration of "I'M WITH THE TRENDS, GUYS!!!!!!" she managed to get her point across. I find it incredibly tacky. On saying that, I'm going to retreat to my original statement to protect myself from any viral whiplash (and/or umbraged feedback from Rihanna's Navy devotees) - I like Rihanna, I truly do, but there is nothing stylish in overdoing something like this, a trend or any aspect of an outfit. And Rihanna is most certainly NOT the only one.

Nicki Minaj, a major culprit in this department. Again, I like Nicki but an entire getup (weave and all) in leopard print is hardly chic, or aesthetically appealing. In fact, it reeks of laziness. Rewind a good few years back to the early Noughties, the seeds of matured Mouseketeer romance blossoming in the form of matching triple-denim ensembles for His and Her. Sometimes I wonder whether this was the real reason behind Justin and Britney's bitter split and not all that "Cry Me a River" jazz. How they even wormed their way back into red carpet events is beyond me. And for the sake of his future children, I hope JT has had that rhinestone-ridden cowboy hat burned.

So, Rihanna, sometimes less really is more. Maybe the next time consider Mademoiselle Chanel's wise words the next time you feel the need to don your brand du jour from head to toe: "Always take the last item you put on, off" - and possibly the second and third too. Everything in moderation.

Mulberry Spring Summer 2012 Campaign

What do you associate with spring and summer? What images does your mind conjure up, even if somewhat generic. Is it the re-emergence of pastels following their long winter hibernation stuffed at the back of our closets that never cease to lose their appeal and charm notwithstanding their predictability? Is it the sound of waves thundering against the shore filling your eardrums, the wispy, fine upper layer of sand spilling over the gaps between your toes while the heat of the sun gently toasts the back of your legs? Or is it simply being confined indoors, watching in utter dismay, as the annual monsoon of summer, overly-familiar to Ireland and the UK, pummels to the ground?

Despite this Siberian weather we've been experiencing these past few days, we are now officially inaugurating the spring/summer 2012 season.

SS 2012 campaigns and lookbooks are cropping up all over the place like the blossoming buds of baby daffodils, poking their canary petals out of their green cocoons. The homegrown image of a commonplace English (and Irish) summer's day spent at the seaside indulging in pierside cuisine, flaked out in those deckchairs passed down by your grandparents, is captured in Mulberry's season shoot starring Lindsey Wixon and Frida Gustavsson shot by Tim Walker.

The Amazonian height of the models is overshadowed by the life size monuments of beach delicacies (99 cones in the process of melting under the summer sun, shattered shards of stick-of-rock candy and the very informal container for a meal of fish and chips - newspaper) almost tower over the models. The apt location of Brighton Pier, famous for it's connotations of seaside holidays and it's equally as famous fairground delight boardwalk, provides the backdrop for the shoot.

The clothes themselves are the epitome of the warmer months; not a harsh, bold berry tone in sight! Bright, feminine, fresh was the key with this collection, light textures and and short hemlines to soak up the warmth and sunshine but the precaution of lightweight coats and jackets because you never know when the rain will decide to spew itself all over your picnic.

The colour scheming is so very appropriate - just look at those sunny yellow mackintoshes, with complenting platform sandals and Holiday Bayswater handbags. Is it just me or does the colour palette remind you of ice lollies and ice creams? The soft chocolate browns that reoccur throughout. Especially the striped colour block dress worn by both models - the similarly patterned and coloured ice lollies that you begged your mother to buy you as a child (e.g. Twister and Loop the Loop) immediately sprang to mind. And if you have no clue what I'm referring to, click here for an insight.

During the process of writing this post, I paused often to dwell on the occasional instillation of nostalgia that a mere look at the images gave me; sand in your sandwiches, collecting bucketfuls of pearlescent shells only to be distraught when told you would return home without them as they would, and I'm paraphrasing here, "stink up the car" and lounging for hours on a sandy landscape submersed in a book, pausing every now and again to listen to the buzz of people doing the exact same thing as you or the jingle of the passing ice cream van followed by hoards of people or the gulls squawking overhead.

The power of advertising, eh?

Katy Perry's New Look

If it weren't for that burst of candy pink hair, I wouldn't have recognized Ms. Perry here. Gone are her usual theatrical get ups with all the frills and thrills of a modern pop star's desire for the downright zany clothing. What we are left with, is a stripped down (simple in comparison to her quotidian style) version of the singer.
Minimal accessories, barely-there hair with no extravagant detailing and the pièce de résistance; a monochrome shirt baring Renaissance style faces with an essence of fun slipped in, as moustaches are added in. By now, I think you all know that anything Renaissance goes down a treat with me.

I adore this new, much more laid back side to Katy, complete with a retiring, modest smile. She was papped during the same night, getting cosy with Sky Ferreira - one of the newest "it" girls on the scene. Maybe Sky's grungy style is rubbing off on Katy?

Breton

As a "fashion/style/insert-your-own-interpretation-here", I have realized that I am obliged to include my own take on style, how I put together outfits and the like. This has prompted me to rekindle my relationship with my LOOKBOOK account. I don't know if any of my wonderful followers (I think you're all fab for choosing to support this drone of a blog) have any particular interest about the workings of my wardrobe but what is a style blog without, at least, a minute insight into one's personal style?

This outfit, aptly titled "Breton", is my go-to outfit. This picture is actually a year old, but the outfit itself is timeless. I can almost hear the exasperated groans in the minds of my friends when we meet up, as they think "Is she wearing that again?!" to themselves. When it comes to over-wearing a particular outfit or item of clothing, I'm guilty as charged. If an outfit feels good on, or I adore how it looks, I continue to wear it much to the annoyance of everyone else.

The most wonderful aspect to this ensemble is it's universality. The picture above was taken in July of 2010; there I stood in my notoriously awkward stance, bare-legged with slicked back hair and a pop of red on my lips to add colour. Tres summery, if I'm not mistaken? However, you can reverse the look to carry on it's legacy into the harsh months of winter. Additions of a pair of black tights under the shorts and a cute duffle coat and voila! 


As my first "personal style" post, I hope I did myself slight justice. Let me know what you all think and should I make similar What I Wear posts.
Also, please hype the look!

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN MIKARANI FLATS

Tasseled loafers are having a bit of a moment. The elegant style were given a chance to shine in both JW Anderson and Alexanger Wang's SS 2012 collection, the Doc Marten campaign starring my favourite model, Aggy Deyn, and have been given the Louboutin treatment.
The traditional shape black loafers have a native American edge, where Pocahontas style beading replaces the tassel.

Clearly a big hit with the Olsens as Ashley and Elizabeth Olsen have both, collectively, been spotted in them. I wonder if MK has a pair or if she nicks them off her sisters?

ABBEY LEE KERSHAW'S LUX HIPPY STYLE

Back in December 2009, when I was beginning to curb my growing hunger for fashion, I discovered a model known as Abbey Lee Kershaw. Pictures of the stunning, gap toothed, mousy haired girl littered the first copy of Vogue I ever bought (Australian Vogue as I was in New Zealand) and I was hooked.
Abbey's popularity has boomed since then and she is now a regular on catwalks and is in nearly every bloody fashion campaign at the moment, including Gucci, Versace for H&M, and Versace's fragrance Yellow Diamond to name but a few.

The Austrailian model's hair has also morphed from her plain, natural hair into a Chanel bob to, finally, her shoulder length platinum blonde 'do she's been sporting for a good while now.
Along with her boom in popularity over the past few years, Abbey's style has really started to emancipate. She has a unique, kooky style but not in a "deliberately zany" way. Favouring floor length skirts in a variety of patterns, glamorous jewellery and at least one luxury item, Abbey's style is like a smartly dressed hippy.
Her look is always topped off with barely-there hair either left down or pulled into a low bun.

I admire Abbey's style. She hasn't let herself succumb to conformity, and at the same time, doesn't try so hard to be different. Kudos to you, Abbey.

CHRISTOPHER KANE AQUA SNAP CLUTCH BAGS

Ah, Christopher Kane, you wonderful innovative designer, you. These fluoro-coloured, aqua-filled clutch bags, would send anyone into a nostalgic flashback of the 90's - a decade wear double denim was the done thing, Versace was in it's prime and dressing like a kid's tv show host made you "cool". 

These PVC clutches are reminiscent of that era where, although you may look upon it now and want to curl up into a tight ball and cringe, the tackier you were, the more chic you were too.

The rest of Kane's collection include references to the bags, like a  plain, white shirt where the collar has been substituted for the same material and filling as the bag. These little purses would definitely add a fun statement to an otherwise, more serious outfit. 

The Age Old Eyebrow Debate

Thick vs thin eyebrows: a matter of personal preference but highly contradicted by fashion's ever-changing mind. The change can wreak havoc upon those fundamentalists who like to keep themselves camouflaged against fashion's every word. As for me, no matter what the season says about eyebrows - I shall keep mine the way they are. I know what works for me and although they aren't the most well-groomed or perfectly symmetrical, the effort of conforming to (hypothetically) next season's predictions of "barely there" brows isn't worth it.

Maybe I'm being biased but I do believe thick eyebrows deserve a well-deserved, concrete place in style. Not only do they make a face look more youthful -the more unkempt the more innocent you look- but they are perfect for framing an angular face with a strong jaw. I don't want to sound like a cheesy QVC TV special but I can't help myself when I feel the need to say: but wait - there's more. I definitely overdid that, and now I'm laughing at my own petty humour but I digress. Strong brows really take the pressure off for defining the eyes with heavy makeup, they can help you get away with so much less as they are so dominant in themselves. And who doesn't love being able to get away with less makeup and enleashing one's natural beauty?

Of course I'm not trying to say that thick eyebrows are better than thinner brows - an equal amount of the world's most beautiful women have thin eyebrows, such as Kate Moss, Charlotte Free and Marlene Dietrich to name but a few. But my personal opinion and preference lies with the strong browed girls, and here is a collection of my favourite style icons and theirs.

Givency F/W 2011 Inspiration

Let's take the DeLorean back to March 2011 to the Givenchy F/W 2011 show for a moment, please. The memorable collection which oozed sexy with it's powerful use of colour and varying textures: chiffon, velvet, mohair, PVC, silk to name but a few.

The reason I'm recapping on this collection was now that we're entering the less forgiving months of the year where style is compromised due to weather, lack of time in the day, etc., finding something (APPROPRIATE AND PRACTICAL) to wear isn't always easy. 

Givenchy's F/W gives hope to use mere mortals in our time of need. Make like the ever-lengthening evenings and don't worry about wearing too much black, secretly everyone wants to unleash their inner goth. Mix textures and items of clothings that you wouldn't normally put together, like above: SWEATERS + SKIRTS = keeping you warm while still keeping an element of pretty. Seriously, I lust over the Bettie Page motif seen on the sweaters from the collection (the panthers below were striking too) and the addition of the censored bar gives a modern twist to such an iconic figure.

When in doubt remember, black is the new black.

Taylor Momsen Ditches Grunge for the 60's

What is this? I almost didn't recognize Ms. Momsen before I looked a little closer and saw the black, rings around her eyes and wondered how the hell I had missed them.

I'm guessing this was an attempt by Momsen to venture out into the dark, unknown world outside of wearing an over-sized band t shirt over a pair of suspenders. The very Sixtie's mini was teamed with white go go boots - a far cry from her regular get up. I award Taylor attempt marks. For trying something new, I applaud her but the outfit was ruined after she unwillingly ditched her trademark panda eyes and also opted for chunky black accessories.

Back to square one, eh?

Renaissance Cherub Socks Appreciation

Fetish: [noun] - an excessive or irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing. In this case, cherub socks. 

I'm sorry to once again quote the dictionary but this definition sums up my feelings towards these socks   totally.

As a big admirer of Renaissance paintings (three words: Sistine bloody Chapel), these cute little knee-socks have been catching my eye for the couple of few months, popping up on Tumblr now and again. And in the words of Verruca Salt "I want them". 

My desperate quest to have a pair (or twenty five) in my possession has so far proved fruitless, so if anyone knows how to get a hold of them TELL ME!!!

Lady Gaga Out and About in London

This is slowly becoming a Lady Gaga Outfit Appreciation blog but you cannot deny, the woman is fabulous. Whether you love her, hate her or are a farmer in county Down who thinks she needs to put on more clothes, her style is a chameleon, ever-evolving to accompany new trends.

Tottering about London before her Jonathon Ross appearance, in those mint skyscraper boots (the texture and colour looking very much like the Chanel boots worn by Lindsay Wixon at Paris Fashion Week, see my previous post), the singer best known for her eclectic fashion donned a see through lace dress from Simone Rocha's 2012 SS collection, a Baby Spice-esque fur coat, kooky retro glasses and the cherry on top - a pastel green beehive.

This look captures the recurring trend of pastels seen in SS 2012 collections, like House of Holland, Chanel, Meadham Kirchhoff and others and typical Gaga, she's ahead of them all.
That's why the Lady is a tramp.