Archive for the Category »Shopping : Real Life «

24
Jul

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Too many layers but how and ever. Pile them on, take them off - the weather is, at best, erratic. I can’t complain though - I do like layers. Most of the stuff is from my own shop, Shutterbug, but I do now dress mostly from there. It’s about as convenient as you can get. : )

Lace kimone : £30.00 Topshop

Cropped lurex : €7.95 Shutterbug

Black BDG t-shirt : €5.00 Charity Shop

Leather shorts : €40.00 The Beauty Spot, Dakota

Spandex leggings : €12.95 Shutterbug

Hat : €24.99 Shutterbug

Rings : €9.99 each, Shutterbug

Black coat in the top photo : Topshop

xBlanaid

30
Jun

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I was recently photographed by Naomi Gaffey for Stellar magazine’s street style section. Confession: I genuinely love being in any way involved with Stellar - anyone I’ve ever met/dealt with there is just, well….sound.  I was really thrilled to appear in this issue.

For this feature I had to work an outfit around the safari/khaki theme. I tried to keep the outfit fairly neutral and add some of my favourite accessories. I particularly love my new turquoise necklace from K Kajoux - it’s a real pop of colour with anything white…Speaking of which, the white racerback from the amazing Muse in Waterford may be one of the pricier additions to my usually inexpensive wardrobe, but man it fits unbelievably. I wore it all the time on my holidays, during both the day and going-out times.  This parka from House of Fraser is currently on sale - and is a great fit, longer on the back too, which pleases me inexplicably.

This is in the current edition of Stellar…I meant to post it before but as you can see from the silence on the blog, the last week has been a little intense work wise. Getting back to normal soon.

Outfit :

Parka : House of Fraser

Denim sleeveless Lee jacket : Shutterbug

Turquoise beaded statement necklace : Available to order from K Kajoux

White racerback vest : Muse, Waterford

Black stretch maxi : Muse, Waterford.

Clutch bag : Shutterbug

Wedges : Zara

Gold malene Birger necklace (under turquoise) : Muse, Waterford.

xBlanaid

17
May

blanaid-la-holidayTrying to figure out this polyvore malarkey to plan my perfect suitcase for Los Angeles. Not sure the images should be so pixellated once posted but I’m more than likely doing something wrong. Here’s the link to the original anyway!

Here’s my actual version of the dream above. (Considerably less money spent…) Outfit posts will follow from L.A. featuring the stuff mentioned below and hopefully some new bits, as I’m heading over to buy/work also…! I will try not to go on about it too much, but I’ve never been and I’m quite ridiculously excited!

Clockwise from top >>

Vintage sweatshirt - mine has a gold eagle on it - present from Dave.

Maxi skirt - Vintage - €5.00.

Kimono - the one pictured  is Winter Kate. I’ve become obsessed with kimonos and bought my vintage velvet one on ebay for €59.00.

more…

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more…

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This pretty collection is by Irish designer Katie Harte for her etsy store Pure Harte. This vintage inspired photoshoot was a collaboration with Alice from Aliquo boutique, who created the jewellery. Both designer’s sell online and in the Loft Market, in the Powerscourt S.C, Dublin. Sigh - I love this shoot, it makes me want to dress like a proper girl.

Photography by Emma Birkett
Make- up by Louise Diamond
Models : Chloe Keogan , Sarah Kelleher and Hannah O’Hare
xBlanaid

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I am always putting my work images up on ‘the facebook’ and neglecting to share them on this blog, which really defeats the purpose to an extent!  Here are some images from a shoot last year, on which I was the Art Director. (I’m sure there’s a better way of constructing the last sentence, but it escapes me right now…) The photographer was Moselle Foley, and the shoot was for Rosemarie Durr and her quite iconic pottery. We had a loose concept of ‘pottery as part of my life’, showing it used in work/home situations. This shoot remains one of my favourites, and not least because the client was wonderful to work with…

I hope you like it, see more from the shoot >here< and please do visit both Rosemarie and Moselle’s lovely sites too.

xBlanaid

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Some images from the shop launch day - by Ciúin Tracey. We had a lovely day and have been incredibly busy since Saturday, hence the lack of posting! Thanks so much to everyone who visited, purchased and said nice things…we look forward to seeing you in the New Year! For all the other thank yous, and there are so many, many heartfelt than yous, please see the post below. : ) Oh and Kay from K Kajoux will be back in January, for those of you who fell in love with her jewellery!

xBlanaid

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I’m very excited and tired - this Saturday, at 11am, we’ll open our new little second-hand & hand-made shop. It’s not full of crazy prices or scariness, just nice and pleasant…like most of the lovely shops down here in Kilkenny! So if you do come down this Saturday (I’m making mulled cider!) - take some time to visit Butterslip, Smoking Lily, Rebekah Patterson, Bridies, the Made in Kilkenny pop-up shop, the charity shop, Yesterdays, the lovely book shops  - and so much more! That’s just the city centre - venture to bennetsbride, Castlecomer, Thomastown etc for more lovely craft stores. I’m like an advertisement for Kilkenny, but I do love this town. I mean city… ; )

Hope to see you on Satutday - I want to say a huge thank you to Rhona Nolan for the poster! One of my favourite bloggers, I also love her graphic skills.  She’s also been a great help this week. Thanks also to Brid Leahy,  Ciuin Treacy, Aisling Tobin Christina Byrne, Aran Hennessy, Moselle Foley and Frances Long for all of their work over the last year. Phenomenal people, really.  A special mention of course to Eoin Hennessy, the unsung hero who works seven days a week and all the hours he can say yes to, just so we can stay going on this adventure.

While I’m on my thanks roll, my parents don’t read my blog, but they’re incredible. Really. My sister Roisin for making me far much more cleverer about some things.. ; ) and Dave for listening very patiently and calmly when I realise I’ve let myself in for even more work.  Sometimes there are even tears. No bother to him, he’s a very good listener!

Also, genuinely to those of you who comment, and mail, and just say nice things, whether you’re a friend or a stranger of sorts - well, you’re lovely.

Mostly though, even with the odd tear, and late night, and frustrated phone call - I love it all, and I am very, very happy. I hope you are too, for any and every reason at all.

xBlanaid

See more images of the making of our shop on our facebook page > here < x

28
Oct

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Love this poster by Tihana Petrovic for October’s Flea Market AND I finally get to go this Sunday! Hurrah!

xBlanaid

tom-products-blanaidHere are the five products I chose, inspired by Tom Watts’ home below!

1. DRAWERS

Hemnes 6 drawer chest €159.00. IKEA, St. Margaret’s road, Ballymun, Dublin 11

T: 1890 987 938 W: www.ikea.com/ie

2. CHAIR

Vintage French 1950’s school chair €325.00Industry. 5 Smock Alley, Essex St. West, Cow’s Lane,Temple Bar, Dublin 8

T: +353 1 6139111 W: www.industrydesign.ie

3. SOFA

Velvet Chesterfield Sofa £995.00 plus delivery. The French Bedroom Company online store.

T: 0044 8456 448022 W: www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

4. CUSHION

Lovebirds Cushion by designers ‘Timorous Beasties’ £120.00. Available from ‘Rume’.

W: www.rume.co.uk T: 0044 1273 777 810

5. SIDE TABLE

Pop lacquer stool £125.00 Marks & Spencers, stores nationwide.

W: www.marksandspencers.com

xBlanaid

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New favourite shop alert! The brilliant stylist that is Angela Scanlon and I have been frequenting the loveliness of the The Pepperpot cafe in the Powerscourt Centre of late…. and right beside Pepperpot is Article!  (The Pepperpot = best scrambled eggs and service ever.)

Owner John Adams is no stranger to stylish living – formerly General Manager of Habitat Ireland, and having managed London based design store David Mellor, John has brought together a beautifully edited range of contemporary tableware and decorative accessories. 

 “Over the years on sourcing trips or travelling,  I came across many beautiful, quirky yet functional products that captured my imagination. I have always wanted to be able to bring together a collection of these pieces in my own shop in Dublin. Though the economic outlook is still difficult I really believe the time is right for small independent retailers to get into the market. It’s about reinvigorating the retail landscape - small shops bring personality and diversity to a city, offering flexible and local employment and encouraging tourism as well as taking the risk to stock something a bit different.  I want Article to be a place that people can come to for a gift or to add to their home, or simply to call in, browse and be inspired.” 

 The bright, stylish shop is stocked with a small but perfectly focused selection of tablewares, accessories and items that you won’t want to leave the store without…My personal favourite products are the coloured glasses, pictured above. I’ve just started my collection!

 Article is open every day 10.30am – 6pm, until 7pm on Thursday and 1 – 5pm Sunday. Visit our website at www.articledublin.com or join them on facebook.

Congratulations and best of luck with the store! 

xBlanaid

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I’m currently in the middle of planning my own little store, and INDUSTRY, which opened in Temple Bar recently, will certainly be something to aspire to… Owned and managed by 26 year old Dubliner, Vanessa Mac Innes, INDUSTRY specialises in industrial furniture from the 1930s and 40s which she sources from antique markets and vintage fairs throughout Europe. To ensure individuality, Vanessa personally selects each original piece for the shop. “This is something completely different to the Irish market,” says Vanessa. “I think people are beginning to move away from high end contemporary style furniture and are looking for more individuality in their homes.”

The  Vintage French 1950’s school chair, priced at €325.oo is my  favourite…. Vanessa has a full range of stock available at every price : industrial pieces ranging from €35 for a 1940s printed French bottle crate to €1700 for a 1940s vintage Postal Desk. Both vintage and new handpicked accessories range from €5 - €60 while a selection of quirky and original cushions are priced between €40- €60. Original hand-blocked framed prints start at €145.

Congratulations on the new shop!

xBlanaid

Visit her at : 5 Smock Alley, Essex St. West, Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 1

Online at : www.industrydesign.ie  Like INDUSTRY on facebook : here

 

 

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Still catching up on the Irish Independent pages, will try to post one a week from now on… you can also read the page every Friday in the property supplement!

 

INSPIRATIONAL IMAGE (above)From the portfolio of Merrion Square Interiors, 82 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Photograph by James Fennell.

T: +353-1-6765040 E: merrionsquareinteriors@eircom.net W: www.merrionsquareinteriors.com

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TABLE : ‘Valerie’ turned leg oak table – Original Price : €2,399.00 .The Conran Shop at Arnotts. 

T: +353 1 805 0400 W: www.buy4now.ie/arnotts

 WALL PLAQUES : Botanical metal wall plaques (set of 2) €59 - Next., Stores nationwide. 

W: nextdirect.com

CHAIR : ‘Byholma’ chair - €85.00 IKEA, St. Margaret’s Road, Ballymun, D 11 T: 1890 987 938

W: ikea.com/ie

 PRINTS : Vintage botanical prints - $7.95 plus p&p from LoveElizabeth on Etsy. 

W: etsy.com

 CUSHION : Flower cushion €8.00 – Heatons, Stores nationwide. 

W:  heatonsstores.com

 TABLEWARE : Allium tableware from €4.75 – Debenhams, Stores nationwide. 

W: debenhams.com

 PLATE : ‘Jade’ dinner plate -€11 by Linea at House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre.

 T: +353 1  299 1400 W: houseoffraser.co.uk

 CANDLE HOLDER : Silver and Glass Lantern €29.99 TK Maxx, Stores nationwide. 

W: tkmaxx.com

Hope you like it!

x Blanaid

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Still working my way through the backlog of Irish Independent features to post on the blog (see more here, here and here!)

This inspirational image (above) comes from the portfolio of Irish Interior Designer; Liz LaCumber.

Gallery 23, Unit 6 Coolmine Central, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15

T: +353 (0)1 6404876 W: www.lizlacumber.com E: info@lizlacumber.com

Product details below… The next article will be in this Friday! 

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WALLPAPER : Scrapwood wallpaper 900cm  €199.00 plus p&p

Studio Ditte

E: mail@studioditte.nl W: www.studioditte.nl T: +31 (0)6 27 02 01 04  

 

PRINT : Tea revives you print – stg£18.00 plus p&p

W: www.keepcalmgallery.com/ E: hello@keepcalmgallery.com

 

CABINET :Bilberry Armoire regular price €1250.00 currently on offer at €995.00

Hedgeroe, Enniskerry Rd., Kilternan, Dublin 18.

W: www.hedgeroe.com

 

FRIDGE : Smeg fridge – available in cream for €1500.00

D.I.D Electrical in Clery’s, 18 - 27 Lower O’Connell Street,
Dublin 1

T: 01 8786000

 

 KITCHEN STOOL: Ingolf Bar Stool €59.00

IKEA, St. Margaret’s Road, Ballymun, D 11

T: 1890 987 938 W: www.ikea.com/ie

 

CUP: Retro cup – The Soulful Toaster stg£14.50 plus p&p

W: www.soulful-toaster.co.uk


LIGHT : Otto Lamp €95.00

Duff Tisdall, The Malthouse, 537 North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

E: arthur@duff-tisdall.ie   T: +353 1 855 80 70 W: www.duff-tisdall.ie

 

FLOWER : Large pink orchid arrangement  €156 by Pied a Terre

Dundrum Town Centre.

T: +353 1  299 1400 W: www.houseoffraser.co.uk/

Hope you like the selection!

xBlanaid

 

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I had a lovely email from a young Irish designer called Mia O’Connell, who’s launching her new collection in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, this Thursday from 11am  to 8.30pm! So if you’re wandering about town this Thursday, why not pop in and get a little inspired, and perhaps pick something up for the old party season that’s in it…?

Here are the details! > Mia is from Dublin and has previously interned with Marios Schwab, British Vogue, John Rocha and The Times London. Currently working as a freelance designer, she then set up her own work ’The Eight and a Half Project’.  At a first, the project was just a way to keep her sewing, making a few pieces for friends etc and it has grown from there.

 The first capsule collection of the project is a series of party dresses and select other pieces, perfect for the festive season.  The essence of the pieces is femininity with a hard edge, for those who choose to be that little bit different. Pieces start at €130.00, with the two accessories pieces (a velvet cowl neck hood and a velvet and wool collar)  priced at €45.00 euros and €50.00
All are welcome to come have a peek , just ask at The Fitzwilliam Hotel reception for directions to the conference room!
Good luck with the launch Mia! Visit Mia’s blog >here<
xBlanaid
 
 

 

 

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 I’m a big fan of Anthony Burrill - his prints please me enormously, so much so, I even went and spent my hard earned monies on one for my flat  >> see it here << 

So I was particularly pleased to hear, that not only witll Mr. Burrill be one of the creative talkers at Offset, he has also designed a range of exclusive menswear t-shirts (above) that will be sold in BT2 Grafton Street, from today, Monday til the 9th November. I shall be making a purchase. 

 In addition to the BT2 T-shirts,  he’s designed a window wrap that will adorn the windows of BT2 Grafton Street for two weeks.   I can’t WAIT to see that…

x Blanaid

 

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I love this classic letterpress poster ‘Work hard and Be Nice to People’, by Anthony Burill…although I prefer to read it as ‘Work Hard AT being Nice to People’…!

 It fits perfectly into THIS Ribba frame from Ikea. (I went for the oak veneer)

Click here to buy print for £30.00 from Soma. 

x Blanaid

 

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 I like incredibly high heels. I will wear runners when working out. There is no in-between…until now. I FINALLY found a good mid-height heel and they only cost €20.oo in Penneys!! I am quite short so never thought I’d get away with the calf situation on a sock/shoe/boot situation such as this, but these are surprisingly flattering and comfortable.

I am also utterly smitten with this grey leather clutch from Zara - €10.00 in the sale!! How good is that - in fact, Zara is pretty much amazing right now, fantastic A/W and an actually decent sale. (Thanks to my lovely friend D who got the bag for me as a little treat.. x)

Shoes and a leather bag for 30 bills - good day! 

x Blanaid

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