Christmas Outfit Series ~ Work Party

I have decided to do this Christmas Outfit Series running over the next two weeks for a few reasons,
(A) I always work out in advance what I want to wear and have it completely styled in my head. If a can't get a certain piece for the outfit, the whole idea gets scrapped and I start again.

(B) In a way it's a type of Wishlist/Christmas list for myself which I make referrals too and also like to tick things off as I purchase or secure the different pieces. This Christmas list/Wishlist starts for me at the end of the summer, which to me is either after My Birthday or after my Foreign Holiday, whichever comes last. My lists comprise of Family Christmas Presents, My Christmas Wishlist and finally my Christmas Outfit List.

(C) The final reason why I have done this list is, I get paid once before Christmas, thus meaning one pay check with which to purchase all needed. I have to work out what I want, What it's going to cost and which items I can mix and match throughout the Christmas period to give myself less stress and to also spend less. I always like to buy pieces that I can use alot. For example If I buy a statement piece which is expensive, I have to be able to wear it with a number of things in order to justify the cost.
Okay so alot to take it, all my crazy ramblings in my head now down in print, so to the outfit.

This is what I have in my head for my Work Christmas party.
Blazer, Shorts, Top, Earrings and Ring - River Island
I love this Blazer so much. Black, check, a little PU, check and versatile, definitely. The shorts okay a bright colour, not something that will go with everything but hey sometimes you have to go where the heart desires. They aren't ridiculously expensive so I can justify the spend. I can see these also being worn on Summer Holidays next year and also for Summer nights out with a nice bright white top. And just look at that top, the sequins on the racer back make it a statement however from the front it looks like a simple dark grey/navy silk vest. Versatile, of course!
Shoes - Steve Madden
A blue shoe, well it's kind of a MUST HAVE, not quite, but almost. To justify I will be buying the shoe from Penneys, I saw a pair on Thursday for 10 Euro.
Bangles - "Bellerina" at The Ivory Closet.
For this I don't need an excuse, "Just Because" is sufficient enough.
Big lashes and a sparkly smokey eye (Dazzle Dust by Barry M), all because it's Christmas. This is what I imagine for the night. Whether it works out like this or not is yet to be seen, I will do a post next week on what I end up wearing. My next Outfit in my Christmas Series is one for your Girl's Night out, because everyone goes out with their girlfriends before Christmas. Stay tuned for that which I will post on Wednesday next week.
So what will you be wearing for your Work Christmas Party? How do you justify your splurges?

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?

Wedding Guest Check list

As I have told you before in my wedding feature in the Royal Wedding run up, my Dad is getting remarried and the wedding is today. As a guest for a large wedding I think it's super important to look your best while still making sure that I don't have a dress the same colour as the bride and secondly the bridesmaids. I have been searching for quite a long time for the perfect dress. It's not been easy I have to say. I briefly looked into hiring a dress from an amazing little boutique in Limerick, The Ivory Closet, but due to lack of a car, time and money I decided against it. That being said I will most definitely be hiring from the girls at the Ivory Closet in the future and I ordered my jewellery from them so at least I'll sparkle in a small way.
Finding the perfect outfit for a wedding is a long and arduous journey. What style do you go for, what length. Do you get a maxi or a mini or even a midi. The few things we know for certain are we are going to be wearing it all day and into the night and we must be comfortable while remaining fabulous.

The dress I ended up picking is this one. I love it. The colour is Fab and the cut is flattering. It's from A/Wear. I will not, without a doubt, be without my Shapewear on the day and I hope that throughout the day the dress remains as fabulous as it is when tried on initially.

My shoes are Christian Louboutin, the petal shoe. Had to be done. These beauties were my present to myself when I had my daughter. They are one of my favourite pairs of shoes and I really consider them an investment and have seriously more sentimental value than any other of my shoes. They were also my first pair of Louboutins which is always something that stands out in my memory. I hope one day that I can pass these on to my daughter so fingers crossed she will have the same shoe size as me.

My Jewellery is a mixture between the Ivory Closet's jewellery line "Bellerina" and accessorize. All affordable and achievable for anyone. J'Adore sparkle, so for me a little sparkle on the day was a MUST HAVE.

My bag is Marc B from Asos. This bag is my go-to staple bag for nights out. It can be worn over the shoulder with it's 2 straps, the strap can be turned into one longer strap to sit at your hip and it can also be worn as an over sized clutch. For me a bag has to fit everything for a night out, the camera, the makeup for touch ups, my phone and purse and also a pair of flats to wear on the way home. This bag fits the criteria for me. I love the style too, the inspiration of the Chanel quilted bag. Can't go wrong

There you have my outfit for my Dad's wedding. What do you think? Do any of you have weddings coming up this year, your own or a friends/family member's? I'll let you know how it goes.