Harebrained for Hats

Simple Steps To Style Your Hats & Hair bands

At events such as weddings, Christenings, Communions and the Races every woman wants to stand out. A glamorous take on creating the perfect look is the addition of a hat or head piece especially when trying to achieve a classic look. We see beautiful models all over the catwalk wearing big flourished hats and head gear.The Royal Wedding in 2011 was packed with woman with eccentric hats such as Princess Beatrice and Victoria Beckham.

Victoria Beckham at the Royal Wedding 2011

Princess Beatrice

After spending money on your dress, bag, shoes and of course beauty essentials such as tan, hair and make up, splashing money on a hat that realistically won't get another wear is pretty stupid. I know when I began looking for a hat for the races I knew I didn't want to spend much money yet I was determined to get something I loved and that would match my dress and look. After browsing online going to many shops such as Topshop, Debehmans and Razzle Dazzle I couldn't find a head piece that I liked and could afford.

Then I decided to try Penneys.  I never thought I would find something not to mind something I actually liked considering I am extremely picky, especially when it comes to matching. I found a dusty pink hairband with detail and small feathers for only €5! I bought it even though I had my heart set on getting something with netting.

Since I wasn't entirely in love with the hairpiece, although it matched my dress, I decided to spruce it up. It was very plain so I thought I would add some glitz. I created a pure one of a kind hairband by spending only €5 and pieces I found at home.

I used small pink diamantes, super glue and a tweezers and stuck them on at different intevals. I could put them anywhere but I choose the sides. I didn't over load the hairband with diamantes to avoid making it look too tacky. Take a look...

Super Glue, diamantes, tweezers

Plain head piece

Finished product!

I still really want netting so If I can find netting in a fabric shop I will also add this on. Although this little touch doesn't seem much but when the sun hits the diamantes I am sure it will shine and bring out the detail in my dress.

I will theme it with this dusty rose Lipsy dress which is still available on Asos.com on sale.

I hope this will help you create a new look with your old hats or even decorate a new piece and in turn have your own unique and individual hat or head piece.

Feedback and advice is always welcome :) 

- Love Ella x

The Cambridge Satchel Company

 The Timeless Satchel

I finally saved up enough money to invest in a timeless accessory that is guaranteed not to go out of fashion. Bags are investments pieces, especially if there are designer All bags are  a necessity to carry everything  you want around with you and its essential for it to be stylish to set your outfit off. 

What I love most about satchels are the classic look. They were hugely in fashion about 25 years ago and are back bigger than ever. Satchels are extremely easy to carry around by hanging it off your shoulder or across your waist. This leaves your hands free for rooting through clothes racks while shopping. 

Satchels as mentioned in previous articles are available in all the high street shops from Topshop, River Island, H&M and even Penneys. However, I wanted to invest in a authentic satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Comapny. 

The Cambridge Satchel Company only sells hand made satchels using real high quality leather. Leather always stands the test of time which is necessary when investing.

 The Cambridge Satchel Company offers a wide variety of sizes, colours and shapes. You can buy satchels in various sizes : 11", 13", 14" and 15". There are a lot of different collections available which keep up to the lastest trend such as "Chelsea Collcetion", "Emerald & Sapphire", "Fluro" and of course "The Classic" and many more. You can also get a "batchel" which is a satchel you can wear on your back.

Prices vary due to size and whether you get it personalised. What makes the Cambridge satchel so unique is the fact you can personalise it by adding your initials or name. This costs extra but adds a touch of individuality! 

Note: Full stops are free of charge.

TIP: Order your Cambridge Satchel this month and get free delivery worldwide!!

It took only five days for my satchel to arrive, coming from England. I was delighted with both the size and colour of my satchel. It is perfect. It came in a box and was protected by a dust cover. 

Prices : The price of a Cambridge Satchel in my opinion is reasonable. It depends on what budget you are on however in comparison to a Louis Vuitton bag or Marc Jacobs it is very good.

A 13" satchel costs £120 and it costs £5 per letter if being personalised. 

If you are ordering a satchel I recommend you to be careful choosing a colour you like and will get use of. I choose emerald because it adds a pop of colour and is different to the typical blues and pinks. 

Of couse, the classic brown is availble too.

Check out The Cambridge Satchel Company's blog: http://camsatchelco.com/

and the website: https://www.cambridgesatchel.com/us/collections/

My 13" emerald green embossed Cambridge Satchel

-Love Ella x

Summer Haul June 2013

Some Simple Summer Shopping Suggestions!

I recently noticed a lot of people doing spring/summer hauls on fashion channels on YouTube so I thought it might be fun to do an article on my own summer haul! I hope you like it, if you have any opinions please drop a comment with some feedback. 

As you might have noticed from my earlier articles I love summer fashion. Its a time where you can ditch coats and overcoats that cover up outfits and you can wear shorts, skirts and dresses without looking stupid and being frozen with the cold. 

I have a lot of summer clothes and love them all so I have condensed my haul to the clothes I bought on my last shopping trip in Cork city.

Petite Ladder Back Dress

My favourite purchase by far must be my animal print sun dress from Topshop! It is white with orange animals printed all over. Every time I look at it I can see a new type of animal. I think it is really cute and looks gorgeous with a glowing tan. I was lucky enough to get it in petite to fit perfectly. I got a size UK 6 in petite as they are slightly big fitting as I am usually an UK 8. What really sets this simple but elegant sun dress off is the ladder back. (photo below). I paid €55. It is a lot of money for just a sun dress however I couldn't leave it after me.

The ladder back

Petite animal print dress from Topshop

Tribal scarf
Being petite, I find scarves one of the most difficult things to buy. Every shop from Penneys, River Island or Topshop have rails of beautiful scarves ranging from oriental designs to chequered print. We see a variety of materials from cotton, wool to soft silks.

Although there is a plenty supply of scarves on the high street, my problem is there are too big. These long silk scarves look very elegant and stylish around the necks of tall thin models, but what about the petite? It takes patience and of course luck to discover an affordable scarf to your preference of material, design and length. 

I found my white tribal scarf in New Look. I wasn't looking for it but I couldn't leave without it! It is light and doesn't smother your face and it only cost €7.99!

My tribal scarf from New Look!

This particular scarf is easily adapted to most looks and outfits. The oranges Purples and blues shine through with a lot of colours. I find it effortless to add it to my look. 

The tribal scarf easily adapted to any outfit.

"Lightweight" scarves are a perfect summer essential for breezy days at the beach or cool nights. They are especially suited to the normal dreary weather in Ireland.
If you are willing to pay about €30 or so on a "lightweight" scarf you should look in Hollister. Hollister sells beautiful lightweight scarves in bright colours and prints. 

However, with some patience and dedication you will find an affordable lightweight scarf to your liking.
Tip: look out for scarves in Penneys and New Look.

Ethnic Flip-Flop

Flip Flops are the biggest summer necessity as we all know. Thy are great for the beach, down by the pool, a walk or at night. They can be worn with absolutely everything - skirts, dresses, playsuits, shorts and pants.

I always love having a variety of flip flops to choose from however when packing to go abroad I can never fit them in so I have to resort to a neutral long lasting pair of flip flops.

Before I bought expensive flip flops from River Island and places like that. They would cost from about €40 or €45. I consider this expensive considering I get 2 weeks a year to wear them. River Island's flip flops are lovely without a doubt. They last for a long time even with wear and tear.

However, this year I purchased a beautiful pair of leather ethnic jewelled pair of flip flops from Penneys. They are genuine leather. I am not certain about the price. They cost about €17.  I have worn them fro a few weeks and still look perfect. They are even comfy. They are truly a perfect bargain. They are still available to buy. What I most liked about them is people asked me did I buy them in Zara or River Island which proves they look expensive without costing too much!

Penney's Ethnic Flip Flops only €17

Alphabet Madness 

Throughout the high-street we see a generic trend. Anything with "GEEK" or "DORK" printed across it is seen in every shop window. Although I don't like this trend one bit, I do like the alphabet trend. 

I found a stylish black high waisted shorts with white letters printed all over them. These are dressy shorts which I would personally theme with a white blouse.

TIP: Don't attempt to dress these shorts down.

They are also affordable, only €13 in Penneys and are still available to buy.

Wooly Wooly

I know summer isn't a time to wear wool. However, I wouldn't rule it out of your wardrobe altogether. I found a lovely wool jumper top with three quarter length sleeves with turn ups. it is a light material and very comfy. It is a periwinkle blue colour with a cream crochet elephant.

I themed this top with light denim bagg shorts with lace detail on the pocket. I wore this on a sunny day

This was only €17.99 in New Look and is still available.

TIP: Crochet is all in fashion. Check River Island for crochet pieces. I will have another article soon about crochet.

Vans + Socks = ? 

I have always admired those frilly socks with the nice lace trim and when I was shopping in Cork City I decided to buy a pair. I got an idea to try something new and wear them with vans. I originally was going to buy real vans from Schuch however, I decided against that and instead bought vans in Penneys just in case I didn't like them. 

Vans are probably meant to be worn casually but lace socks is a perfect way to dress them up. I also would like to buy a pair of brogues and wear the socks with them. However, I will not wear them with heels. 

I found that Penneys vans are big fitting so I had to buy mine in the children's section. I bought a grey pair, meant for boys but vans are unisex. They cost only €7.

I stupidly bought two pairs of frilly socks in River Island for €5 each! Later I found them in Penneys for 3 pairs for €3.50. Watch out for bargains! 

I think this style is for anyone who has the confidence to wear them if they are in a small town. If you are into fashion and want to try something new, go for it. A lot of people wouldn't agree with this but, who cares? channel your own style for you and no one else! 

I would wear vans and socks with shorts, maybe a skirt if you have long legs and turned up skinny jeans or cigarette pants.

Penneys vans size UK2. Only €7.

River island frilly socks €5.

I will have another haul within a month or so as I am always picking up new bits and pieces, an article on crochet trend is also coming up.

Thank you for reading and feedback is always welcome!

- Love Ella x