Walk In The Park

O U T F I T

Shirt: Pull and Bear, Jumper: Topshop, Gilet: BB Dakota, Jeans: Guess, Shoes: Topshop, Bag: Zara, Necklace: Topshop.

Thankfully, I went for a cosier look this week which seemed appropriate for both the chilly weather and the fitting location. One of the easiest looks you could possibly wear has to be a simple pair of jeans and cosy jumper. But I really like introducing a piece like a faux fur gilet to add a little something extra to an otherwise dull outfit. Plus it is so practical, this thing will have you warm and toasty is no time.

This gilet is one I got online a long time ago, it's by BB Dakota which I don't know much of at all but if it looks cute I tend to not ask many questions. I love the colour and texture of the fur as well as the pockets to hide your hands in too. The only possible down side to this one is the collar, usually I would recommend only buying collar-less gilet's. Just because the fur on fur can sometimes be a little much and it means you can only really wear your hair up, otherwise I just look like a lion coming at you.

This jumper is from Topshop, it is actually a maternity jumper which may sound weird but it was on sale and has an adorable black bow at the back of the collar so I went for it. It's so versatile and I get a lot of wear out of it, although it does shed a strange amount of wool. For such a seemingly low-maintenance jumper I have to put it on right before I leave the house or everything I come in contact with will be destroyed. Annoying. 

My necklace and shoes are also Topshop, I have to say, these shoes are by far my most worn pair and a definite best buy for my wardrobe, if I could buy them again tomorrow, I would. They literally go with everything and are so flattering and comfy, a very rare and magical find.

My jeans are Guess which I picked up in Miami. They are my first 'proper' pair of jeans, which basically means expensive, and I do love them although I'm still undecided if they are really all that much better than my regular High Street buys. I Guess time will tell, pun intended, I apologize. 

My shirt is Pull and Bear and I strongly recommend anyone who does not already own a simple white shirt to get on it, the possibilities really are endless. 

My bag is of course my adored Zara find, still loving it, definitely going to wear this one to death.

Thanks again for reading,

Megan

Feeling Blue

O U T F I T

Top: Pull and Bear, Blazer: H+M, Jeans: Topshop, Shoes: Zara, Bag: Zara. 

I am obsessed with my new Zara bag, I bought it while in Miami but you can get it online as well, although I think it's sold out right now. It's a good price and can hold everything and go with anything, I love how sleek and chic it is although it can get a little annoying when you're in a hurry and constantly messing with the big flap, but I'll put up with it for this beauty.

This blazer is also a Miami purchase, I love the cobalt blue colour, and it's the perfect statement piece to spice up any outfit that would otherwise probably be very dull.

The stripped peplum top is Pull and Bear, it's a jersey material and so comfy, although it is sleeveless so, as you can probably tell, I was once again pretty freezing. I swear my next blog will involve more layers.

My jeans are Topshop, they are the Leigh style, my personal favourite, because they're just so soft and comfortable. I would say 80 per cent of my jeans are either very dark or black, it's just so much more slimming I couldn't imagine going for a light wash now.

Once again, thanks so much for reading,
Megan.

Just Purchased

I've decided to do a short 'Just Purchased' blog every now and then, I saw it on another blog and I think it's a fun way to mix up my usual posts and also show what I'm loving at the moment.

I just convinced my boyfriend to buy me this baby from Topshop for Christmas, I adore the wine colour and there is something just so glamorous about feathers. I cannot wait to get my hands on it and wear it all over the Christmas and New Year period, I'm sure I'll fit it into a blog too. They have just sold out but keep checking the Topshop website if you're interested. 

Thanks for reading,

Megan

Miami

So it seems I have already fallen behind on my one and only blog rule, one blog a week, one teeny tiny blog a week and I couldn't do it! Oh well, at least this time I have a slight excuse, I got back from Miami a few days ago and it has been crazy busy ever since. But alas, here I am finally recanting my wonderful week away. 

These first two pictures pretty much say it all, most days the weather was quite hot and I was so happy I got to squeeze in a couple days of sun bathing. Especially when I knew I would be returning to the dark freezing days of Irish weather, I loved absorbing as much vitamin d as possible. One of the things I was most excited to see in Miami was South Beach, our apartment was in short walking distance and it did not disappoint. On those extra lazy days I just wanted to lie by the pool and had to capture the moment, when I look at it now, back in my dull reality, I swear I can feel the sun on my skin once again.

Of course one of the American greats has to be the food, it really is true what they say about the portion sizes. Most of the time it was impossible to finish a meal but thankfully, a lot of places allow you to bring home your left over’s. On this occasion, we stopped at a little Cuban diner and I tried Cuban bread for the first time and had to document the moment. Umm... it makes me hungry just looking at this picture.

This is our view from the apartment, I adore the Art Deco theme throughout Miami it gives the city a sense of unison and it really sets a certain vibe as soon as you arrive. It's so cool that there is a height restriction on the buildings now too so the city can maintain its charm.

Of course I had to visit the Dash store while I was in town, any fellow Kardashian fans will understand this was a definite must-see. To be honest it was slightly disappointing but understandable given that they're currently moving stores, so it's normal that it seemed a little un-kept and chaotic. 

Miss Dior Cherie is one of my favourite perfumes so I was so excited when I received this little tester that I just had to take a picture. How cute! 

This is what I call living the American dream. In order to fully experience the U.S culture I thought it would be such a good idea to attend an American college football game and of course I had to have a hot dog. Although I had no idea what the rules or general idea behind the game were, I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, from the fans, to the multiple cheer squads and even the band geeks, so fun! It also helped that our team won, go Miami Hurricanes! 

Overall I had such a good time and left with some great memories of my first time in the U.S. Best of all I got to spend some quality time with my family abroad, who I don't get to see very often so every memory is precious and special. 

Thanks for reading,

Megan

All Black Everything

O U T F I T
Top: River Island, Blouse: Zara, Blazer: Miss Selfridge, Gilet: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Leggings: Topshop, Rings, Shoes & Bag: River Island.

I think it's fair to say this week’s photo experiment went a bit better than last week’s; of course there is still the awkward posing and cringy looking at pictures behind my hands. But it wasn't raining or freezing cold and overall it got the job done so I'm happy. 

I love wearing black, the more black the better I say. Especially when it's so miserable outside I rarely feel like wearing lots of colour, one thing I do like about the colder weather is it gives me a chance to layer. Layering is a great way to play around with different pieces you might not have thought of for a while and create a fresh look. 

I have this Zara blouse a long time and it continues to be one of the most wearable items in my wardrobe, simple, classic and versatile, I love it.

I have to say I have a soft spot for faux fur gilet's, they may not be to everyone's taste but I love the drama they add to any outfit, and practical too. I can't tell you how snug this is and is essential for the winter months ahead. I got this one on polyvore.com, the perfect shopping website when you’re looking for something specific, they feature all price ranges and there are some great bargains to be found.

Leather leggings have been around for what seems like forever now but I think they're still going strong and are always a good choice when it's chilly, Topshop do good pairs but these ones slide down a lot so I think I may need to invest in another.

When I first saw these River Island boots I was in love, so much so that when they went into sale over the summer I bought both colours. Which may have been a little pre-mature I'll admit, because they're just so damn uncomfortable, I can only wear them if I am positive it requires minimal walking. The pain of beauty eh? 

This bag is my favy at the moment, I have been looking for a larger clutch for a while and it’s just an added bonus that it's has a detachable strap too.

This week I am so excited that I'm off to Miami so hopefully I'll do some kind of photo diary to document my time there. Yay! 

Thanks for reading,

Megan

Yellow

O U T F I T
Shirt: Pull and Bear, Jumper: Topshop, Pants: River Island, Shoes: Zara, Bag and Watch: ASOS.

The first thing I want say is a huge, HUGE thank you to everyone who gave me positive comments and well wishes after my first blog post. Sharing Bonne Chance with everyone was most definitely the scariest thing I've ever done. It sounds dramatic but when it's something that I so want to be great at and is so personal, making yourself vulnerable and putting it out there to be judged is terrifying. Which makes me that much more grateful for all of the support I received. 

When I first decided to start a blog, I immediately began to do research into what my blog personality would be, would I just focus on one topic or make it broader, should I only feature my personal style, should I do extras? How should my photos be, should I make it easy and do 'selfies' or go with what I really wanted, but not sure if I could pull it off and do proper pics? For the most part I decided to make it up as I go along and just do what felt right at the time, but I do hate the whole self portrait in the mirror deal so I'm going to give the latter a go. It was actually A LOT harder than I thought it would be, not to mention the fact that it was freezing cold, beginning to rain and overall miserable. Obviously Ireland is not the most ideal country for this type of amateur photography, but especially this time of year, it is just so dark and dull all the time that I felt I had no option but to just Instagram the whole thing.

One of my favourite looks to wear is denim and leather, I love the different textures together and the edge it brings to any outfit. Beware - you will see me repeat this style a lot! Lately I have made some slight changes in my style, with heels I have always worn platforms, platforms and more platforms, but recently I have fallen in love with the simplistic pointed pump. I love them so much I am going to need to get a nude pair ASAP! I don't usually wear heels on an every-day basis, even though I for sure have more pairs of heels than flats, I don't really have the confidence to rock them to the shops. But I do much prefer the overall look they give so I'm pretty sure it will mostly be heels here. Another change in my style lately is my handbag size, I would normally swear by 'the bigger the better' but as of late I quite like the delicacy that a smaller bag can bring. I adore this little yellow number, even though it doesn't even fit my huge purse that was usually lost within my huge bag! Complications!

Anyway, I sincerely hope that my next photo blog will be of much better quality and I won't wince at the sight of me freezing while awkwardly trying to pose outside of my house.

Thanks for reading,

Megan

The Beginning

I recently read an article on Twitter by one of the many magazines that I follow. They were focusing on how they got their coveted jobs within the magazine. One woman was working as an online editor, and after reliving her climb up the journalistic ladder she gave her tips for anyone who wants to get into the industry. One suggestion being, blogging, she goes on to say that she strongly recommends anyone who is interested in getting into the fashion mag industry to have a blog, so much so, that she would be curious as to why somebody who wanted to get into the industry didn't have a blog. Her point is then echoed by her colleagues’, including the editor-in-chief, who says it’s a great way to get noticed for internships, but at the same time a bad blog can do more harm than good.

Aaanndd enter insomnia overload, followed by panic, anxiety, and overall stress. But there’s no time like the present, so, time to get productive. Although I’m an eager blog follower myself, from the ever chic Olivia Palermo, to the mesmerizing Jessica Stein and the hilarious Bip Ling, I've never really considered doing a blog myself. The main reasons being, good old fear and insecurities, when reading the most interesting and fashionable blogs from women who travel the world, and have access to pieces that I can only drool over onto my laptop, it can be beyond intimidating to think of what my blog may look like in comparison.

But after much thought and self deprecating, it can’t be denied that there is so much that I could possibly gain in return. It is without a doubt the best way to publicize yourself, as well as a chance to finally write about whatever I want, showcase my passion, and best of all, an opportunity to work to my own deadlines and schedule. Above all though, I am certain that I will do whatever I can to accomplish my dream of working in an amazing fashion magazine. So there's no time like the present. 

This leads me to my next point, Bonne Chance. Trying to think of a name that I felt represents me, what my blog was about, and is unique, was difficult. But because there is no guaranteed formula that will land you your dream job, all you can rely on afterwards is pure luck. Hence, Bonne Chance, meaning good luck, but in French, just to make it fancy!

So if you dare, please join me on what I'm sure is going to be bumpy blog road ahead as I try to figure this out and make it the best it can possibly be. Wish me Bonne Chance!- Apologies, that's cringy.

Thanks for reading,

Megan

Dolls

Here is an article I wrote a few months ago about a local boutique in Dublin called Dolls.

Set in a quaint corner off a busy Dublin street, it’s easy to get distracted by the smell of fresh coffee from the cafe next door, the pitter patter of small puppy feet or the designer gorgeousness all over.

This adorable haven is of course; Dolls, the designer boutique that will make your heart flutter and your belly rumble. Located on Emorville Avenue next door to her sister’s cafe, Petria Lenehen has created a perfect get-away from the Dublin City while still being, in some cases literally, on your door step.

After studying fashion design in both London and Paris, Petria set up the first ‘Dolls’ on Caldron street seven years ago, and last year decided to consolidate the two. A mixture of hand-picked designer pieces as well as her own collection, Petria describes the ‘dolls’ style as, “more about the fabrics and the cut, a little bit unusual without being too crazy. It’s for women who love what they’re wearing and aren't out to impress people.”

Petria insists it’s not all fabulous when setting up your own business though, “I just knew it was what I wanted to do, and when I was younger I was less aware of the knocks you can have and the difficulties you can go through, and sometimes that’s a good thing. I've had to learn through experience and if I was advising somebody else who was starting out I’d advise them to get as much information and experience as they could. I've had some difficult times, and I have made mistakes that I have had to deal with, you’re the only person who is responsible for your business, and that’s not always easy, so I've had to grow up a lot.”

“The worst thing about owning your own business is paying lots of VAT and sometimes you feel like you’re up-against-it, we get no support from the council. You feel like you’re trying to do something different for the city as well as yourself.”

But where there is a will, and that’s something Petria defiantly has, she dedicates, “two days a week to designing, and two set mornings for pattern making, that’s the easy part, it’s getting the prototype right and the sizing and the cut and finding the fabrics, that’s the hard part,” she says.

When it comes to the designing process, Petira doesn't believe in following trends she explains, “I think you have a feeling if you work in fashion, trends come naturally, there are a lot of trend reports that people spend a lot of money on, and maybe that’s why a lot of designers come up with the same ideas, but I do think a lot just comes from the time, recession, film, wartime.”  “The best thing about owning your own business is being in control and making your own decisions and the satisfaction you get from it going well.”

Although the plan for the future is to have even more of her own designs in the store, Petria would never fully get rid of her other loves, “I will always have other designers too because I love the buying and meeting aspect, travelling to London and Paris, it’s very inspiring and interesting.” Among her favorite designers is, “Peter Yenson, his collection every season is inspired by a different woman, she could be famous or dead or anybody. His new Spring/Summer collection is inspired by Nina Simone, and it’s amazing!”

Photography by Angelique Silvian