Don't go mad go Miinto - Ireland's new fashion website

Miinto.ie brings together all of your favourite independent fashion boutiques so you can shop for your favourite brands, from your favourite shops, online at any time! 

Their mission is to give consumers 24/7 access to their favourite brands, from their favourite fashion boutiques, across the whole Island of Ireland.

Sounds like a plan if you ask me! ;)

Click here to go to the Miinto website to check out their fab new additions!

I was so excited to attend the Miinto Launch last week in The Lost Society in Dublin for a glamorous night where a mutual love of fashion and supporting Irish Boutiques was on the menu. Miinto, a new Irish online fashion retail company is going viral on the internet as the scrum for the latest attire for this season begins....

My outfit for the snazzy Miinto Launch Party

Managing Director James Galvin, also the mind behind just-eat.ie explained 'Miinto' is a very exciting business venture as High Street retail sales are down in Ireland by over 30% since 2008, this company aims to help boutiques to showcase what they have aswell as a convenient delivery service. He implored the significance of www.miinto.ie and the how it is supporting Irish businesses.


You can sort out your styling while sitting pretty at home! What more could a lady or gentleman desire? I love the fact that the element is unisex. For men and women who are on-the-go it really takes the stress out of shopping. Sarah Faulkner of PR and Marketing for Miinto.ie and Nicole Ellis Operations Manager were both professional and informative on the night (aswell as uber stylish) as they explained all the gorgeous brands now available on the website and both the practicality and convenience of shopping online.

Sarah Faulkner, myself & Nicole Ellis

'Off the Rails' RTE TV personality Brendan Courtney was in attendance aswell as the miinto in- house models Gary Talbot and Esmé Mansergh-Wallace who were among the chic party guests. The stunning Rozanna Purcell gave a helping hand earlier in the day to help launch  Miinto.ie.

Gary Talbot, Rozanna Purcell & Esmé Mansergh-Wallace



Irish fashion boutiques such as Indigo & Cloth, Sirona Boutique, Diffney, Lara’s Fashion Boutique and Blush Boutique are now on board. The Miinto Group currently operates in seven countries with over 9,000 boutiques and 1,000 brands. It plans to continue its international expansion. How exciting for all those fashionistas out there! All in all I had a great time and left feeling style inspired. Check out miinto you won't be disappointed.


Aswell as going to www.miinto.ie 

You can contact the team on:

T: +353 (0) 1465 1996

 facebook.com/miintoIE

 twitter.com/miintoIE

xo L

Inspired by Grace Kelly and Carrie Bradshaw - The Turban Trend

We all love to follow trends and try to map out what is coming next. When Grace Kelly became a princess she wore them regularly, When Carrie Bradshaw explored Abu Dhabi in Sex and the City 2, she wore one. When Karolina Kurkova glided on to the red carpet at The Met Ball in NYC this season like the supermodel she is - she also wore one. Turban's are back and more stunning than ever. Topshop S/S12 and high end designers such as Louis Vuitton are embracing this trend but it has been led modestly by the vintage stores who have long been resurrecting glam old world style and making it shiny and innovative again.

Style icon Princess Grace

Sarah Jessica Parker - Beloved New York Fashion Queen

Karolina Kurkova - Victoria's Secret Model

This trend can work both for casual and party wear. I went shopping with a yummy Butlers vanilla coffee in hand yesterday and wandered around the shops adonned in my fawn turban and an oversized vintage denim shirt, python leggings from Topshop and snowy white converse - the casual everydaywardrobe staple. But for a night out I plan to team it with a black bodycon dress, an oversized clutch and faux diamante jewellery. Turbans are versatile, cute and also hold your hair in place with a sprig of retro inspiration.

Heaven in a cup! 

My new fawn turban

Don't we all love the way certain classic items never go out of style? Style is interpretative and evolving and ever changing but it always comes full circle and returns back to its roots. 1940's glamour is my fashion fetish, my passion. From the gowns, to the pencil skirts to the sheer ladylike Marilyn Monroe essence of it all. I always loved Grace Kelly and her style since I was a little girl. My Mam had books, postcards and old photographs of her in our house when I was growing up. Her brother Bill O' Connor was Princess Grace's bodyguard on her visit to Ireland in the 1961 with Prince Rainier. My Uncle Bill described the screen siren as 'the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.'

The style of Grace Kelly will always be revered and replicated as her silhouette was always that of a not just a Princess of Monaco but a Style Queen of Hollywood. Whether she wore a turban on the beach or with a ballgown on a film set she exuded class and well, Grace.

The turban is now dominating the style scene, would you like to experiment with this trend?

xo L

WMD with ME - Studded Summer Bliss

A 'WMD' by real life definition is what I would label 'scary' and 'nuclear' & that is not a label I would wear on my back!

 Alternativ​ely - when a 'weapon of mass destructio​n' refers to my jewellery, customised denim jacket or my spiky Jeffrey Campbells I am head over heels devoted and adoring. I picked up those shoes in NYC and had a nightmare getting them home as they look kind of dangerous going through airport security and what not. Well no pain no gain. Even bearing in mind I am endangerin​g those I hug, high five or those who walk behind me I still love them unconditionally. I justify my purchase by pondering that worst case scenario I could protect myself and use my accessorie​s and attire as a self defense mechanism if ever attacked! ;)

I wore my Jeffrey Campbells to the launch of website @MiintoIE a website that allows you to buy clothes from your favourite boutiques and have them delivered to your door. Check out www.miinto.ie to see their amazing stock. I was blown away!

Jeffrey Campbells are taking the fashion world by storm and everyone is snatching up pairs to look stylish south of their ankles.

My fashion forecast for this season is quite simple:

The best accessory that will suit you is confidence! xo

Penneys sunnies: 3 EUR

If you are going to wear something - wear it with conviction and confidence. Whether a mini skirt or circular sunglasses.We can be our own harshest critics sometimes and therefore follow the pack instead of making conscious style choices. Follow your instincts when it comes to trends, make them your own. I love spikes because they really add an extra bite to an outfit. You wouldn't crave a bland curry so why should your styling choices be any different?

I picked up crucifix earrings in Urban Outfitters lately and I love them - they can look very punk when teamed with the stud/spiked trend.

Earrings 14.50 EUR - Urban Outfitters

I am a sucker for florals and pastels as a shift or panelled floaty dress/ play suit combined with a rough around the edges vintage denim jacket customised with spikes or a studded leather jacket. Check out:

http://www.facebook.com/ShotsyVintage



What can also look really chic is temporary tattoo's - seal them with glitter spray/ hair spray and wear lots of jewellery. We all know a real life tattoo can be such a long term commitment unless it's a pattern you really love so experiment and have fun with it! Flirt with the idea and look of a tattoo.
You can pick them up in Claire's Accessories, aswell as studded rings and spiky bracelets.

Happy experimenting! ;)

xo L

Chalked up - A Katy Perry inspired hairdo

I love blue hair. It reminds me of Katy Perry. And Mermaids. And those cute little trolls and furbys we all loved as children.

Really want to dress up as one of these next Halloween

Therefore I decided to experiment with the blue-chalk hairdo everyone is talking about.

Crayola chalk is not just for primary school teachers - it's a hair dye!

 But to be truthful, I recently dyed my hair caramel blonde from bright blonde and was wary of saturating my new locks with blue chalk. Therefore I decided a dip- dye alternative with chalk was in order... but not on my own hair just in case I damaged it...

So I decided to use a clip-in strip of extensions. I bought these on Abbey St. Dublin but you can also pick up clip in synthetic hair in Penneys also!

I laid out a towel, dampened the crayola chalk with water and rubbed it on the ends of the hair to achieve a dip dye effect. Once the hair was towel dried, I was suprised by the result. I liked it a lot!

You can wear it underneath your hair OR in a ponytail/side plait with a cute accessory:

Or you can pin it around a donut - and then pin it into your hair for a preppy look:

You hopefully will end up with this stylish boho look like this indie fashionista:

Have fun Ladies!

xo L

Fashion frenzy @ the MET Ball

The style last night would have any self-respecting fashion lover frothing at the mouth. When A- listers arrive at this event they choose to make a statement - which in many cases is outlandish, daring and simply fabulous! Here are the top looks of the night.

Christina Ricci



Well I guess Wednesday Addams is all grown up! Channelling a gothic spendor vibe in her black and blush Thakoon number Ricci stuns the paparazzi and leaves them in her wake.

Beyonce Knowles

In typical celebrity-land Beyonce is looking unbelievable in Givenchy Couture adonned with violet feathers just a short amount of time since the birth of her baby girl 'Blue Ivy' with husband Jay-Z. There is a class A drug doing the rounds in Hollywood nicknamed 'Blue Ivy' to the dismay of the power couple. You couldn't tell Beyonce had a worry in the world as she exuded Hollywood glamour. Beyonce's infamous behind stole the show in a rather provocative fashion. Her attire was strictly business in the front, and well... nude in the back. Overtly sexy or a bit much maybe?

Beyonce looking 'Bootylicious'


Karolina Kurkova channelled the 1920's in her Rachel Zoe number, but I have to say I loved it. For an occasion like the Met Gala it's all about honoring the occasion to saluting the best most innovative designers. They get thrust in to the spotlight as the stars are their enterprising mannequins.

Karolina Kurkova - Victoria's Secret Model






xo L

Refresh your itunes with a playlist like this!

Well for once an at least semi-unisex post! This is my ultimate playlist. There's some real gems in there. Click on the song names to bring you to hear the songs and maybe inspire you to refresh your itunes! I am in the process of reviving mine, as opposed to shuffling through a gazillion songs I have no interest in. Let me know if you have any good song ideas! ;) By categorizing songs like this it's a handy way to have variety on your ipod no matter what mood you're in.

Enjoy :-) xo L

The addictive new release: 'Houdini' - Foster the People

The driving song: 'Fast Car' - Tracy Chapman

The house party song: 'I love college' - Asher Roth

The catchy 'ad' tune: 'What you know' - Two Door Cinema Club

The college anthem: 'Feels so close' - Calvin Harris

The house music tune: 'Ghosts N Stuff'- Deadmau5 feat. Rob Swire

 The reggae tune: 'Redemption Song' - Bob Marley

The pop song: 'Can't get you outta my head' - Kylie Minogue

The retro song: 'You are my sunshine' - Johnny Cash

The indie tune: 'When we were young' - The Killers

The Nostalgia song: 'Wannabe' - Spice Girls

The Guilty Pleasure: 'Blue' - Eiffel 65

The rock tune: 'Spitfire' - The Prodigy

The shower anthem: 'I just wanna make love to you' - Etta James

The love song: 'The Book of Love' - Peter Gabriel

The catchy tune: 'Home' - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's

The power ballad: 'Stay' - The Shakespeare Sisters

The sexy song: 'She can get it' - Kevin Rudolf

The catwalk song: 'I like the way you move' - The Bodyrockers

The crazy- dancing song: 'Back in Time' - Pitbull

The Summer anthem: 'Summer Jam' - The Underdog Project

The depressing song: 'Bloodstream' - Stateless

The lullaby: 'Holocene' - Bon Iver

xo L

How to style your hair like Rihanna - Long to short styling without cutting your locks

We all get bored of our hair from time to time. We get used to the same thing and it can feel outdated. I usually wear my hair long with soft waves for an event, but last Summer I started using a hair wand and pinning my hair to the top of my head in a 'Rihanna' inspired style.
This style works for bob-length to mid-length hair. Alternatively - if your hair is long and volumous you can do a small french roll at the back of your head and commit to the style at the front.

I went from wearing my hair like this:

Dress from Ruby Rouge

 To wearing it like this:

Dress from 'Motel Rocks'

And I have to say it is very important not to be afraid to try something different and to freshen up your look. Experimenting and taking chances are how you find a style that really suits you that makes you feel as confident as you can be.

A few people have asked me to do a blog explaining in simple terms how to achieve this look.

Firstly you will need a hair wand. These are available in Argos and range from 25- 30 eur. Alternatively you can use a hair straightner and do GHD curls but they wont have the same 3D effect. You need to curl your hair in small sections leaving no straight or stray bits.

When your whole head had been wanded, run your finger through your hair with a bit of hair moose or styling serum, whichever you prefer the texture of. I think moose has a better effect.

 Brush your hair from underneath the nape of your neck forward to the crown and secure with a lot of hair clips/ bobby pins. It is optional but you can plait a small section to mask the clipped section.

 Adjust the hair & strands as you see fit to frame your face and eyeline. 

Use hair spray to finish the look. Depending on how high you want your hair backcomb it gently with a soft brush and re-curl small strands.

And now you have your very own DIY Rihanna look like mine below.

My Rihanna-style hair attempt

Happy experimenting ladies!

xo L 

The Geometric Scale

Geometric Prints and clashing colourful prints are currently storming the catwalks of Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu and are available in retailers such as River Island, Miss Selfridge, New Look and Forever 21. The texture of the clashing styles is very important, as it looks great to have material of a silky consistency over linen or sheer material. I picked up a Billabong Geometric playsuit in New York in February that I have fallen madly in love with. Perhaps it's the pattern that is mesmerising!

My Billabong silk playsuit from NYC

That kind of a pattern is flattering as it draws the eyes to the design as a whole as opposed to a particular area. It leaves you with a finished svelte look.
I maintain New Yorkers put this trend on the map by dressing it both up and down with ease.


Another trend which I think is very funky and glam is tangerine or neon nail polished hands with chunky statement rings on one hand, embellishing every finger.

My Rings from Miss Selfridge

Explore geometric jewellery... go for Topshop meets a modern day Pocahontas!

Teaming these looks together will have you looking bang-on trend.
 Happy styling ladies ;)

L xo

River Island's 'Pacha' hits the nail on the head

Inspired by Nightclub 'Pacha' in Ibiza which has housed the likes of David Guetta, Retail Giant 'River Island' have launched a snazzy fashion line titled:
 'The Pacha Range'

Check it out in your local flagship store, I have to say I think it's very fresh and innovative. The silk flowing dresses and harem-pants have a very moroccan-glam feel to them.

Innumerable Summer-hungry ladies were foaming at the mouth when I last checked it out in River Island on Henry St, Dublin! The line comprises lightweight summer genie-pants, hawaiian, ornate cherry print bikini's and daisy duke shorts and silky geometric prints you will trip over yourself to get your hands on - especially if your are planning a Summer holiday overseas or if you want something stunning to wear to a BBQ or Summer night out on our shores!

xo L