Back in the homeland

The volcano ash did not prevent me from going home to Co.Cork. *Insert happy dance here*.

It was a rather quiet weekend, with cake and 99s and donkeys.

First port of call was the uber slick Opera Lane (home to New Look, River Island, Topshop and H&M). As I clogged along, I was delighted to discover a Cork Fashion Week "pop-up shop" (although it wasn't called this) for the designers who were shown at CFW. It was here where I saw the amaaazing Cathy Jackson. Not only is she the sweetest person ever, her clothes are just gorgeous.

Look at the chandelier effect. I want to go to a decadent old town house and talk about how opulent I am in these pieces. *Swoons*

After a Cathy-catch-up, I headed towards the kitsch Fellinis cafe in Cork. This is a vintage treasure trove. I had forgotten how expensive the auld home country is (€3.50 for a brownie !?!) but it was a really tasty one.

I was hanging out with some Cork bloggers. How I love the blogosphere is such a friendly place. Check out the fantastic Cathy from The Style Strutter. Cathy and I have actually known each other for quite a few years. This girl knows how to DIY or what.

Fortunately for us Lorna from Things I Fell in Love with today was not stranded in Finland (read her blog to find out more). I think I love her red duffle coat. I also have developed a major blog crush on Kathryn from She's in Vogue.

She makes brocade waistcoast effortless.

However my weekend highlight was seeing the donkeys. People thought I was telling white lies about the donkeys. No, they are real. Introducing Ted and Dougal.

I also tested out my theory that Irish 99s are better than London ones. Ireland:1, UK: 0 on the 99 cone front.

Apologies for our lack of regular posting. Full-time work and full-time studying impedes both mine and LJ's SaveOurShoes time.

Peace,

Fi xx

Sketchbook Pop-up Shop

Sketchbook Magazine Pop-up shop is amazing. It is more about the pictures for me with this one, rather than my poorly constructed sentences.

The big colourful guns.

Wooly friendly fun.

Seriously inspired at the Craftivist Collective talk. Craft plus activism.I will be at the next Craftivist Collective event.

For the birds.

In my room now please.

Be your own paper aviator and listen to Pocket Satellites.

Sketchbook magazine, you are amazing.

If you are in London and have a half hour to spare, go forth and marvel. Nestled near Beyond the Valley, off Carnaby St, you will be greeted by friendly, talented people.

If not check out their Tumblr.

Peace Fi xx

Saturday sad sunshine

Unfortunately, due to the volcano in Iceland, my wifey couldn't come over to London to play in the sunshine with me this weekend. So Saturday was spent in a sort of sad sunny Saturday daze in Hyde park. The lovely Faye and I enjoyed a picnic and a cervesa with Grace. I know Jen would have enjoyed this laid-back afternoon, soaking some rays.

It was, however, a first day suitable for summer dress wear. I rooted out this rather old blue Miss Selfridge dress and paired it with my Sonia Rykiel for H&M platforms.

I'm a bit sad in these pictures as I miss Jen. *Insert IMISSJEN here*.

Dress from Miss Selfridge, Necklace from Wolf and Moon at Sunday UpMarket, Cardigan from Numph, Bag from Magpie vintage, Tights from H&M, Sol beer (in picture below) from the Corner shop on Edgeware Road.

*EDIT the woman behind me was juggling, rather random. She seemed to be enjoying herself though.*

When I wear the platforms, I feel like I'm at a Spice Girls reunion. Reminds me of when I head a Spice Girls party for my birthday.

I hope you enjoyed the sunshine wherever you are. Even if you are stranded like my cousins in Spain or having an un-London weekend in Cork.

Peace, fi xx

PS Sorry for being an absent blogger, the sun makes me feel guilty sitting inside at a laptop.

Disney for Elle

This is too good not to share. I saw this post on refinery29, so here it is if you haven't seen this already. Remember the Simpsons editorial at Harpers Bazaar? Well here's the next new thing.. Disney for Elle Spain.

The cartoons and drawings and action figures/toys of big designers have been increasing in the fashion market. There has been recent posting about the Shrek editorial for VMAN, click here. And remember when Marc Jacobs came out with a steel Spongebob bag at the end of his collection for Louis Vuitton? Or when Jean Charles de Castelbajac had Mickey Mouse all over his collection? or the numerous times D&G had Disney and action figure heroes cartooned all over their tshirts?

I personally love them all, as I pretty much grew up watching all different cartoons and drawing/painting as a hobby. Emm..actually, I still do those things. I do admit to having plenty of Disney dvds. And I think injecting some sort of childhoodness and fun sillyness into fashion does add a bit of charm.

..I also do admit of watching Spongebob Squarepants. I love that yellow sponge.

But anyway, here's a look at the spread..

I'm just wondering what's next? Warner Brothers for Vogue? Pokemon for Pop? Pixar for V? who knows.

On another cartoon note.. how hot is Marc Jacobs with his Spongebob tattoo?

xx-LJ

my-wardrobe.com treat!

For those of you who are stuck indoors like me studying for exams, or paying taxes, working on presentations, or those of you who are happily enjoying the summery weather.. here's a little treat from my-wardrobe.com.

My-wardrobe.com is offering 30% off all full price dresses, no exceptions! However, this offer is only valid til this Sunday (18/4). So I suggest you take a break from your work, or continue procrastinating, or just happily browse their website to see if there's anything that will tickle your fancy. Then, enter the code at checkout to receive the discount.

My body, mind, and soul are itching for some good shopping. I want to attack these items like a hungry tiger, and own/wear them forever. Here are my picks..

Happy shopping!
xx-LJ

A plea to the Gas man

Dear Mr Gas-man,

You are really funny! (Gas man/gas-man, geddit?? some charming Irish humour may win you over..)

Wow, your biceps are HUGE!

(Is flattery working?)

So... remember that wee bill you delivered to my humble abode? Yeah, so, can I make you a cuppa Barry's tea and we call it even? 'Cause there is, like, this thing I need. You probably get this all the time. But we get along so well, we are practically best friends. And friends get rid of each other's gas bills.

GREAT!

I'm going to head straight to Harry Lunt and get this beaut.

It's really pretty. It's a piece of art! It's multi-functional- one can wear it around my neck, shoulder, head, foot.. Ok maybe not foot. It's hand-made and hand-stitched. There is a lot of love in this.

Plus, doesn't it look awesome on me? The designer who made it has a stall in Brick Lane Sunday Up, so it would be supporting home-grown talent. Plus she is super lovely. Her site is rather lust-worthy. Check out her studded boots. They would be really practical for either you or me, as we are both on our feet a lot for work.

This whole cancelling our gas bill and me buying this is a great idea. Gas-man, you are INVESTING in me.

Lots of love, Fiona xx

Jasper Garvida, me and some washing machines.

I have a secret.. I like reality tv shows like Project Catwalk. I really like them. It was then a great honour to have a chance to talk to Project Catwalk winner Jasper Garvida.

Jasper is currently working with Miele and Forever Better in the Miele Fashion Prize. He produced part of his S/S '10 clothes to be Miele washing-machine friendly.

Eh hello. Fancy clothes you don't need to get dry cleaned?! Investment much.

Jasper came across as sweet and charming. He engaged the room with his friendly and cheerful. As someone who succeeded from a reality show, he felt it was a good platform for designers. As a designer, he knows some fashionistas think reality tv is career suicide. However, it just depends on how you use this platform.

When asked where he would like to see himself in ten years, he said he would like to be the next Karl. When Jasper showed us his collection, it was clear that he has to potential to run a fashion house like Chanel. His collection was inspired by the twenties, using a simple colour group of black, smokey grey, white and a lush forest green. His silk dresses were to die for. Check me out stroking this green one. Sheer sleeves swoon.

Don't get me started about his more detailed pieces. His structured dresses were so intricate and just gorgeous. Jasper has a great talent for use of shiney sparkly things on his pieces too.

I had the pleasure of speaking one-on-one with Jasper so I got all High-fidelity on him and we made some top 5ives!

Jasper's top five style icons...
Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrech, Marilyn Monroe, Eva Green and Louise Brooks.

Top five designers...
Karl Largerfeld, Coco Chanel, Gareth Pugh (who is a good friend of Jasper's.. I'm not jealous), Manish Arora and Alexander McQueen.

Top five places...
Paris, London, Vienna, Toronto, and his home Manta in the Philippines.

The loveliest thing about Jasper was how down to earth he is. He was telling me that he has a Chanel Box, which he keeps his name in and all this is wrapped up in Chanel ribbon. When Jasper achieves his dream and goal of being the next Karl, he will open this box. It his dedication that will get him there.

Read more here about Jasper's work with Miele! Pictures from here!

I had such a fantastic time in this fancy room full of fancy washing machines talking to the fantastic Jasper. SaveOurShoes wishes him the best of luck in the future!

Peace, fi xx

Happy Easter!

The beautiful Hen in the Egg necklace is by the talented and charming Wendy Brandes.

Hope you enjoyed your easter weekend!

xx-LJ & Fi

Hipster Zombies attend the end of the world.. aka American Apparel Sale.

I am a "fan" of American Apparel on Facebook. I get their updates. I'm signed up for a few mailing lists. So when I read (and heard) from a variety of sources that there would be an AmAp sale on Brick Lane (literally a stones throw from my house) I figured I could have a rummage this morning. I figured it would be pretty busy, considering there were 10thousand people attending according to f'book.

It was literally a riot.

All of Brick lane was lined with kids/adults. A black cab was stuck in the middle of it all. Apparently people had been queuing since 4am. Bitch, it's cold outside, and those pieces you waiting for ain't gona keep you warm. Every few minutes high-pitched screams went up.

Then, the police came! First it was two officers, then more and more. We went away for fifteen minutes and came back to see swarms of disheartened trendy people walking along Hanbury street. The police had shut the place down. There was hysterics from girls and guys a like. There was a lot of lurking and the sale opened for about five minutes. Then it got crazy. We saw riot police running everywhere. There were sirens blaring.

I took some pictures...

Taxi stuck amongst people

The Shades.

Hipster zombies attend the apocalypse aka AA riot.

Abandoned vehicles on Hanbury

Stop. Mob-time.

Breathe scenesters, it's a v-neck shirt. It's just cotton. Did you not get to get a pair of leggings? It's not the end of the world, you still have a pulse.

American Apparel is offering 15% their site for UK customers, which is something. I don't know how well it will go down with the mob though. People travelled to this thing. Realistically, I would have liked to have gotten a few pieces, but to be honest, the whole thing was dangerous today. I saw a really young girl crying over this whole boo-hacky. It ain't worth getting hurt for.

Peace, fi