Saturday, August 18, 2012
Pretty Shiny Things
I recently experienced a paradigm shift. I need to make a few points about myself for you perhaps to understand.
As the youngest sister I grew up in hand me downs leggings and oversized jumpers renown for always wearing a baseball hat. College was a mixed bag. I won’t lie I often wore my PJ’s and an aran jumper to class (that’s how you snag a man girls).
 |
| Never without my trusty baseball cap... |
My BOI/ Daily Mail days were plagued by comments on my striking resemblance to Ugly Betty. There was a pair of red glasses and poncho involved so really I was fair game…
 |
| Ugly Betty Era |
A toy boy when I was younger I’d very little interest in makeup and clothes. Anything I really liked I was never allowed leave the house in (Hawaiian shirts are cool okay?) and everything else depressed me.
I moved out of home over 10 years ago and I always know I’m home when my Mother remarks that it wouldn’t hurt to wear a bit of make up as I arrive like a crumpled piece of paper off the train.
For my job interview for KISS I borrowed a fabulous pair of designer shoes and got fake nails. Once I got the job I quickly reverted to natural state - flats. I mentioned in to my boss after to see if she noticed (or minded) that the well dressed lady at the job interview turned out to be just a sloth. She told me no - she had seen me snot myself in those borrowed designer shoes from her office window directly after the interview. She was under no illusions.
So where is the paradigm shift? It happened today as I told someone that Denim on Denim was actually a trend (though we agreed not everyone could pull it off) and that I was looking forward to A/W as there is an emphasis on textured looks (gonna rock that aran jumper like a mofo) I suppose the influence of working in a glossy magazine for four years has left its mark on me. I just didn’t notice until I left.
Then I remembered…
Last week I visited Brown Thomas just to say “allo” to a pair of Marc Jacobs ballet pumps. They’re €215 for ballet pumps? That’s actual stupid? And yet…they will be mine…
Last weekend when I cleared my boyfriends clothes out of the wardrobe and stuck them in the spare room. I needed more room for clothes. Not just clothes but shoes and handbags too. While my makeup is stored is 4 different boxes on my dresser full of knickers.
In fact the last time I when home I spend the train journey applying makeup and wore heels. My Mother said I looked well!!!
I mean I still don’t iron, I own lounge pants and am generally covered in cat hair but it turns out Ugly Betty was very fashion forward.
My sudden ability to apply liquid eyeliner and turn around an outfit which can be described "elegant" honestly scares me. The thought that there is such a vast improvement and yet I often wander out in public like that crumbled piece of paper scared me more.
What's going on in my life that makes me actually care about Victoria Beckham's new optical line? That I spend hours on pinterest or researching manicures online?
Being better groomed - presentable is on my to do list but does that mean I'm giving up on the idea of being myself? Style I suppose is a form of expression but what would those 215 quid Marc Jacob shoes be saying about me?
My style has always been uniquely me. I wouldn't want to lose that for universal approvable but God why do I want those shoes...
Somehow this is all so much more than me wanting pretty shiny things.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Via Les Evictions?
I really found it interesting the lack of compassion in the
comments online surrounding the eviction yesterday of a 63 year old woman and a
71 year old man from their house in Killiney.
I don’t know the exact details of the case but personally I
think it’s wrong to evict pensioners. Is that ageist? Foolish idealism? Or just
respect for my elders?
My thinking is whatever the bank or the couple say regarding
the others’ terrible attempts to solve the situation their both probably a
little bit right. Do I suspect the bank would aggressively chase the owners of a valuable property rather than one with
none? Maybe not them give as much room to manoeuvre? Yes I do. Do I think this
couple made bad investments (probably on Anglo’s advice) and mismanaged their
finances? Clearly in hindsight yes they did. They aren’t the only ones.
Does it matter they happen to be seemingly well off?
Everyone else seems to think so. Yes they have other houses worth XYZ however,
they aren’t worth XYZ if no one is buying. While you have someone renting them
at least you can put that money towards their individual mortgages. That doesn’t
give you a place to live or money to pay your own mortgage. Lawfully they could
evict their tenants for a place to live but let’s be honest that’s not good
practice. You know you can live in a big fancy house and still not afford a to heat
it or put food in the fridge.
People have argued they broke the law so it’s fair they were
evicted. Well when you stick to the absolute letter of the law feel free to
throw the first stone. However, if you’ve ever jumped on the luas for just one
stop without paying please go hand yourself in at the nearest Garda Station. Actually
I’m wrong because that’s a criminal act. This particular case wouldn’t of been
seen at the criminal courts because it’s not. It would have been through the commercial
courts hence why Garda was there but didn’t act when the gentleman in question
was manhandled. Myself I’d prefer if Garda’s time was better used then
supervising bailiffs.
At the end of the day these two people worked hard all their
lives and now they are living on the street outside their home. They no doubt over
the years they gave back to their local community, charity and most importantly
to the Irish exchequer. If you’re in 60’s or 70’s this isn’t your first
recession. It’s the hard work of the generations that came before us (I’m 27)
that meant I could get a good education, enjoy a better standard of living and
avail of better opportunities. This generation are still contributing today. I
don’t ever want to take that for granted.
We won’t get out of this recession without common sense and
compassion.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
The bride wore blue « Nathalie Marquez Courtney Photography
The bride wore blue « Nathalie Marquez Courtney Photography
Nathalie was my editor in KISS though I often referred to her as my President or Mother Nature. She is one of the world's most naturally talented peeps!
When she is not ensuring the next generation has heart, morals and ambition through KISS she takes a mean photograph.
This is a beautiful wedding and a beautiful blog post. Enjoy!
Nathalie was my editor in KISS though I often referred to her as my President or Mother Nature. She is one of the world's most naturally talented peeps!
When she is not ensuring the next generation has heart, morals and ambition through KISS she takes a mean photograph.
This is a beautiful wedding and a beautiful blog post. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Winter-Themed Shoot & a Bride with Purple Hair
A Winter-Themed Shoot & a Bride with Purple Hair
You had me at purple hair. I love the Rock n Roll Bride Blog.
You had me at purple hair. I love the Rock n Roll Bride Blog.
Friday, January 6, 2012
What Makes a Good Wife...and Am I a Bad One?
What Makes a Good Wife...and Am I a Bad One?
Read it purely for the "floordrobe" mention.
Photography Credit: Dita Von Teese for Instyle, USA, February 2011
Read it purely for the "floordrobe" mention.
Photography Credit: Dita Von Teese for Instyle, USA, February 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)