Wedding Belle

This is high wedding season and if your like me you need your money to go further without compromising on looks.  When I was single there was such a buzz about weddings and the possibility of meeting someone. Now that I'm married it's a lovely reminder of how special our own day was, a chance to get all dressed up and share in some else's joy. Whatever your looking forward to I'm sure you want to look your very best!  I've pulled together a little selection of great dresses at very reasonable prices that are sure to make an impact if your attending a wedding over the summer and if your not, they're still great dresses!
I must tell you that all these dresses reflect a few of my personal beliefs regarding being a wedding guest.
1) There are always the overdressed or under dressed guests, don't be either of these! 
2) Don't outshine the bride, it's her day for goodness sake!
3) Unless the invite says so, don't wear white! 
4) Less is NOT more! You don't want to be remembered for the wrong reasons so dress respectably!
OK, enough preaching. Proceed and enjoy!

Dorothy Perkins Lilac sparkly dress

Only about €26 including shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180888996399 

Black chiffon maxi dress

This would look amazing with gold or turquoise jewellery!

Only about €14 and free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190677767213

I love the shape of this vintage style dress!

Change the belt for a ribbon or add a large flower brooch.

This dress is perfect for a small country wedding!

About €43 including shipping

Also check out their great shop!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270979307546

Bird print maxi dress

I'm really into Wallis Simpson' style at the moment and I could totally see her in this elegant dress!

About €35 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221034465342

 One shoulder diamante dress

(Sorry for lousy picture!)

Classic and chic, just add statement earrings!

About €45 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160763624544

Feeling brave?

If "quirky" is a word used to describe your style than this is the dress for you!

Dolce&Gabbana -esque dress (without the price tag!)

Only about €70 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280837910143

Mandarin collar pleated dress

Conservative yes, but very elegant. Just add bling :)

I got this one in soft pink and I have the longer version in sea foam blue... I just love them!

Only about €17 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180889600251

I want this skirt!

Do it a la SJP and keep the rest of your look clean and simple.

About €30 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251067322927

Flower embroidered silk dress

This little dress is simply beautiful and looks expensive!

Only about €37 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251066625070

Floral maxi dress

Perfect if your expecting.

Wear with your hair up and with a wedge shoe to keep it from looking frumpy.

About €54 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221006879560

Unless your the one getting married, don't wear this!

I just thought it was so beautiful I had to include it.

I think it's just stunning!

Only about €63 including shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180885609655

There is lots of great stuff on the high street but one of the things I love about shopping online is that it's highly unlikely someone else will show up with the same outfit!

Hope you saw something you liked, wedding guest or not! :)

-Vievie Xx

Modern Retro

It's summer then it's not. It's warm, then it's not. What does a girl wear in this weather madness?

It's a daily challenge but today I'm meeting summer halfway (it's all it deserves with it's lousy performance so far!)

One of my favourite vintage dresses I've had forever and a simple cream jumper from Penny's along with my new favourite heels from Dunnes. I love wearing vintage and mixing it with something new to keep it fresh.  I like a nod to retro fashion without looking like I'm stuck in a time warp or playing dress up!  Bare legs because it's summer, jumper because it doesn't really feel like it!

How are you coping with this weather?

Have a lovely day!

-Vievie Xx

p.s - Got my outfit from Natalie Hartley (Senior Fashion Editor of InStyle mag, no less) today.  I just love it!

Keep in touch and check out her great blog and see how I wore it!

http://nataliehartleywears.blogspot.ie/

Au revoir! Xx

True Blue & Other Happy Things

Wearing my new jersey trousers from Penny's, vintage fine knit top and slingback heels.

The trousers are actually a lovely bright blue in proper daylight!

Tip: you might be tempted to dress down a casual item but by dressing it up you can actually get a chic look that's comfortable enough to wear all day.

A friend of mine popped in for coffee and bought me flowers! I think it's such a lovely thing to get someone. I love fresh flowers, they instantly cheer me up!

A fairly juvenile return to outfit posts (used an old camera) so I do apologise but life is on the up as  I have FINALLY been paid by my insurance (like drawing blood from a stone!) for my stolen camera and I promptly purchased a new one today...I'm so delighted! I've been miserable since it was taken from my home 2 months ago, not just because I couldn't post new outfit pictures but I've missed out on capturing some great moments with my boys! It's all in the past now so on with the show!

Do keep in touch as I've loads of outfits to show you and bargain finds to share with you AND I recently won an outfit posted by Natalie Hartley (Senior Fashion Editor of InStyle) from her fabulous blog :www.nataliehartleywears.blogspot.ie/  so I'll be sharing that with you as soon as it arrives!

A la prochaine!

-Vievie Xx

  

Nouveau Fashion Finds

I joined a gym this week.  Something I never thought I would do but having paid for a three month membership I'm counting on the guilt to get me there at least once a week to do an hour of swimming or that bicycle that doesn't go anywhere.  My goal? Wear shorts. Who knows when the sun will strike but when it does I intend to be ready for it!  I feel like a bit of an outsider, a fake, at the gym. I don't really like sports, I hate the workout gear and breaking a sweat even more but getting fit won't happen over coffee and toast so I'm gonna bite the bullet and go for it! If I don't bring it up again, don't ask.

It's been a mad busy week with the kids, as usual, and with my hubby doing up the garden I can't wait to make the most of it! One of my favourite things is having breakfast outside and leaving the back doors open all day long.  We are nowhere near this possibility at the moment so we live and hope....... and shop :)
I haven't hit the high street in a while but then I love finding things I'm highly unlikely to see on anyone else so online shopping suits me down to the ground. There is no particular theme for this lot, just a lovely selection of finds I spotted on eBay to share with you.

Heart print fine knit jumper

It comes in 9 colours

It's only about €11 including shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220986923014

Tie dye pleated midi skirt

I love this skirt and the midi style is not going anywhere so if you haven't had a go yet, now is the time!

Only about €16 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290536635552

Ankle strap wedge

Available in 3 other colours

Only about €23 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180868698702 

Snake print trousers

I can't get enough of this trend! Wear them with a simple plain top and heels for a look you can take anywhere!

These are also available in a floral print

About €18 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320878681880

Deep red handbag

Perfect for anything and anytime of year!

About €31 including shipping

Also available in tan.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200734833836

Two tone shorts, my reason for joining the gym! *sigh*

They also come in light blue

About €35 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170815140444

A whole new meaning to silverware!

These fabulous silver jeans are only about €19 & free shipping!

This shop is full of little finds so check them out:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260888749502

Lovely heart print blouse

Only about €13 & free shipping

check out the shop, I've gotten some great things there:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300666462930

Silk print dress

It comes in a few different colours

Only about €18 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190524976102

Draw string chiffon top

It comes in two other colours

Only about €16 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261000869751

Strappy heel

These beauties also come in black

About €44 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220911606160

Lastly these lovely giraffe earrings.

Wear them as earrings or just one as a brooch

About €11 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110718572626

I hope there was something you spotted that you liked!

Next week I'm doing a huge clear out of my wardrobe for some much needed sorting out.

I hate it when I buy something new only to find I already had something almost the same buried at the back of my wardrobe! 

Have a great week everyone!

-Vievie Xx

 

What's New in the Kingdom of Random?

Pending the purchase of my new camera ('if only you just did it instead of talking about it all the time!' -thought the public) I used my phone to take pictures of my latest purchases and a few other random things that make me smile.  I don't know about you but having had a wonderfully happy childhood, I simply revel in all things nostalgic!

So nice I bought them twice!

Block heel open toe shoe, not so sure what to call these but I just love them!

I couldn't make up my mind which ones to get but at €16, from Dunnes Stores, I thought I may as well get both! I've been wearing these for days now and still can't get enough of them. Officially my every-day summer shoe (for now)

Me age 4.

If I didn't sound like a dying duck when I sing, I could have auditioned for The Sound Of Music!

(What a poser!) :)

I was desperate for a pair of shoes that clickety clacked like real heels and I used to nag my mother to death to buy me 'noisy shoes'.

I still love the sound of high heels!

I'm all set for the next series of The Killing!

The perfect itchy warm woolly jumper.

€2 from my local charity shop.

Green heels, €30 TK Maxx

Not quite warm enough but I look forward to wearing these!

Print trousers from Zara, €7 on sale.

They only had S & M left and I wasn't too confident about fitting into the smalls so I went for

medium. Happy I did as they fit just right around my thighs and I was able to take the waste in.

My father, my hero!

Dad at age 14.

He showed me the basics of sewing while reupholstering our dinning room chairs when I was 14. I've been sewing ever since and it's been one of the most practical skills I've learned!

Merci Papa! Xx

Breton jumper with suede effect elbow patches.

€11 from Penny's.

The perfect laid back jumper!

Now I'm off to read the boys a book.

All The Children Of The World Say Hello

by Herbert McClure.

The illustrations are beautiful and the kids just love trying to say hello in

all the different languages.

I volunteered at my primary school library when I was young (I much preferred it to spending my recess running around outside) and when they were clearing out books to make room for new ones I got to pick out a few to keep. I'm so glad I did as it's now one of my childrens' favourites!

Have a lovely week!

A la Prochaine!

-Vievie Xx

Doesn't everyone? :) 

Cold War

It's all well and good to have the latest summer fashion, but where's the bloomin summer?
Dressing as if it were warm has absolutely no impact on the actual weather. The only thing summery about my outfits lately is that I've swapped for lighter colours! We wouldn't have to talk so much about the weather if it wasn't an issue! Glossies in complete denial with their summery articles with lovely sunny snap shots from warmer locations are not doing it for me at the moment.
We may well want warmer weather but the fact is it's still freezing & dull outside so we can't very well go around looking like fools in our ice cream shades of California appropriate garb so this week I've put together a list of lovely jumpers.  Don't think of it as being stuck in last winter but that your ahead of the crowd with next autumn :) So here is my modest little jumper wish list:

Brilliant disco retro style jumper

About €20 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400285630933

Warm sequin knitted cardigan

Only about €22 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251007411302

Simple chic loose jumper

Available in 4 colours

Only about €15 & free shipping :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270944385506

Funny Bunny Jumper

Available in 5 colours

About €26 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330649142601

Chunky knit jumper

Available in 3 colours

About €17 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220989426569

Loose knit stripe jumper

Only about €17 & free shipping!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150717235644

Pretty collar jumper

Available in various colours

Only about €18 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320816508428

Prim & proper crochet cardigan

Also available with red trim

About €18 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170797097707

Bird print sweater/jumper

About €32 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150768399534

Irregular hem short sleeve jumper

About €16 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320883437426

Classic cable knit Jumper

Available in about 7 colours

About €21 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280819641300

Colourful crew neck jumpers

About €32 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180858260088

Rose textured jumper

I've featured this one before but I just love it!

About €18 including shipping and available in 3 colours

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270969593812 

Warm print jumper

Available in red as well

About €23 including shipping

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261005554206

And finally this loose fit jumper with lace trim

Available in 5 colours

Only about €17 & free shipping

check them out:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190643227306

 I've decided to stop moaning about the weather and just buy more clothes :)To be completely honest I'm not a huge fan of the blazing sun but I would like to upgrade from this pale, slightly translucent shade with a hint of blue to something a little more healthy looking, maybe even sun kissed :) 

Have I mentioned I love eBay?  I tend to like jumpers from Asian shops, not only because of the great value and styles but they usually have pictures of girls wearing the item which makes it much easier to imagine how it will look on me!  I really like doing these little 'great finds' post but I hope to get myself a new camera soon and start posting outfits again :)  Bear with me until then!

Hope you spotted something you liked!

Let me know what your favourite is!

I think I have to go with the rose petal one, it's just so pretty!

Have a great weekend!

Vievie Xx

P.s - If it's your first time reading this blog, here's a link to give you an idea of my personal style: Mini Fashion Bio

Merci :)