A Quick Catch Up ~ August

Because I missed so much by not blogging I have so much to catch up on. Like I said on my To Smile post back in July I bought a new camera and I have been trying very hard to upgrade my calibre of photos and to also simply take more. In August I had quite an eventful month, between my birthday,a trip back home to my holiday of this year. A long weekend with my gorgeous sisters in the Amazing Barcelona. I will do a separate Barcelona Holiday post as there was so much packed in to the four days. So in photo form this is my catch up for the month of August. These are the photos which would have gone into my To Smile posts over the time I was on a blogging break.

A Manicure with the new 2 Week Manicure Colours I had added to my kit. The colours were perfect for an old dress I had. I then bought some fabulous jewellery from "Bellerina" at The Ivory Closet to wear with the dress too. See here to see more Sparklies from The Ivory Closet (As Amina calls them) New Jewels for an old dress.

I have talked before about my Aunt's Allotment, here are some pictures I took while I was looking after my cousins. The allotment was awash with colour during the summer with all the various beautiful flowers on show. My cousins spent so much of their summer hanging out in the allotments, playing games, making potions and their own perfumes. It's lovely to see the kids playing outside instead of being stuck in on computers or watching t.v.

While minding my cousins we went to look at a display of Quilts made by the Quilting Association of Ireland. I love this craft and I can't wait to get my sewing machine to get stuck into it myself. I have so many ideas, mostly for Amina's bedroom. The quilts that were on display were amazing. The technical ability required to finish such intricate pieces is only something I can aspire to have.

We hung out alot at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin getting the most out of the warmer and drier days which were so far and few between. These gardens in the heart of dublin are such a serene escape from the everyday hustle and bustle that city life brings.

I celebrated my birthday in style. A picnic on the floor of my sitting room with my mum, my aunt, 3 out of the 4 sisters and Amina. You don't get much better than that.

My friend and I decided to take out girls for a trip to the woods in the Dublin Mountains in search of fairies. We didn't find any fairies but we have a lovely day out in the fresh air and magical surroundings.

And lastly for August I perfected my home made hummus recipe and even started combining different flavours to switch it up a little. I have turned into a hummus addict, literally. Made with the juice of lemons and some creamy Greek yogurt along with the necessary chick peas and tahini paste, it has now become my staple food. I will put up the recipe soon on a Sunday Sample once I get back to my regular postings.

I will continue with my catch up posts next week in the place of my To Smile posts. Next week I will concentrate on my fabulous weekend away to Barcelona with my sisters.
So what have you all been up to? Did ya'll have a lovely summer?

Everything's Rosy

As part of my Florals Trend I have really wanted to share these pictures from Cosmo Uk. The Floral Fantasy pictorial "Everything's Rosy" was in the March 2011 issue of Cosmopolitain Uk Magazine and from the moment I laid eyes on it way back in FebruaryI was sure that I wanted to feature it here as a Blog post for those of you who may not have seen the mag or the pictures. There is something very Ethereal and just so stunningly beautiful, girly and innocent about the photos taken by Margaretha Olschewski. I am completely in awe of the genius behind the camera and of the gorgeous fashion by Sairey Stemp, the fashion editor of Cosmo Uk, which makes these models and the dresses they are wearing completely in tune with the surroundings. I am so inspired by this pictorial, everything from the sheer natural beauty of the models, Erin and Charlbi,  to the makeup and styling. With clothes from D&G (some more shown here), Monsoon, Jigsaw, Mulberry, River Island, Asos Salon, Guess by Marciano, H&M, Littlewoods and Paul & Joe and accessories from Cornelia James, Johnny loves Rosie and Johnathon Aston. I now want to go out and buy floral clothes, plant flowers in my garden and wear flowers in my hair. For your enjoyment....

 

Did anyone else see this Pictorial and find inspiration? Is there other Pictorials that have inspired you? I would love to know if there was something that stood out for you and remained in your mind as something special. What is your inspiration?

Accessorize Florals

When it comes to accessorizing Florals you can literally take it any way you want. Due to the abundance of floral accessories you can go down this route by rocking a floral headband to match your ditsy print or a pair of ditsy printed girly rock chick Dr. Martens with a floral dress. Alternatively you can go down the demure and lady like route and accessorize your floral prints in your clothes in the Ethereal way. Pretty Prints and dainty jewels.
Whichever way is great and won't break any fashion don'ts. That being said, here are my picks of the Floral accessories available.

Aldo

All Asos

River Island except for top 3 on right, Miss Selfridge

Bags and hold alls are a great way to wear florals as accessories especially if your clothes are print free. It takes a little of the trend and they can brighten up any outfit.

1 and 6. Missguided, 2 and 3 Pieces at Asos, 4 and 5. Topshop, 7-10 Asos

Asos

Perfect for Festival Fashion, The Floral headpiece/headband. There are such cute ones available from Penneys for completely affordable prices. So affordable you can justify buying one in every colour. And with Beyonce rocking one yesterday in Oxegen you should get yours quick before they all sell out. Here are my picks which are available from the usual places.

Fabric headbands bottom 2 left River Island, All others Miss Selfridge

And what about these gorgeous hats. I can totally see these at the top festivals or lounging on the beach. So cute

River Island

A simple floral stud or some floral printed bangles. Gorgeous with a cream floral laced dress.

A selection of floral jewellery pieces. Top Row Asos, Miss Selfridge and River Island, Bottom Two Rows all Accessorize

Fab Floral Sunglasses, Top D&G, Middle River Island and Bottom Missguided.co.uk

Cute Belts, 1st one Asos, All others Topshop

Do you like my picks? Has anybody seen any floral pieces out there that have tickled your fancy yet? Did anyone see the picture of Beyonce wearing a Penneys Floral Headband from yesterday in Oxegen?

Rainy Dayz and Lazy Sundays

Today is one of those days, a day where the rain doesn't stop and it becomes a pyjama day. All previous plans have been shelved in exchange for the couch, a furry blanket and a steaming hot cup of tea. I decided this morning to take a look through my blog roll. And when I say a look, I mean a true look, read all the posts, look at all the fabulous pictures and really appreciate the world of blogging. Have you ever looked through all your favourite blogs and be so inspired that all you want to do is go straight to the shops and spend that money that's put away for a rainy day? Well today that is how I feel. Some of the blogs on my blog list are so amazing. They make me feel something for fashion that I haven't felt in a long time. They make the love grow and make me want to create more art in my own life, whether it's a fabulous outfit, a home made collection of beautiful statement wall hangings, a gorgeous tye-dyed outfit for my beautiful ( and very grumpy today) little girl or bake myself into oblivion with some amazing cupcakes and home made honeycomb. It truly makes you appreciate the world for all the fabulous little things that we as bloggers or as people can achieve and create. On days like this I wish that all negativity can be turned into something beautiful and inspiration can be passed from one person to another in nothing but perfect harmony. I am inspired and will go on to achieve, create and hopefully pay it forward.

Beautiful Flowers my Mum got me this week