Hitting the Slopes: Where To Go & Ultimate Ski Bunny Style!

 

 Whether you’re an avid skier or a wannabe, take note!

Planning a ski trip in 2018? I’ve got you covered with fantastic travel deals and style solutions to match ensuring you dazzle on the slopes! In this post I bring you the latest offerings from Crystal Ski Holidays and Regatta Great Outdoors for the ultimate in ski bunny travel and style inspiration!

*Not sponsored.

Crystal Ski Holidays:

Award winning Crystal Ski Holidays always have incredible travel deals to trusted destinations such Italy and Austria starting at just €369 per person with travel in February and March making weather conditions optimal. Plus, longer days means more time on the slopes! Backed by TUI one of the world’s leading travel groups, Crystal Ski have been bringing more people from Ireland and the UK to the mountains, than anyone else and won the Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2017! Crystal Ski also provide details on snowy extras you will need for your trip, Ski Holiday Essentials a handy checklist to glance over and make sure you’ve covered all bases. P.S. I’m sharing some of my dream destinations below, read on!

Note: All holidays and prices are subject to change and availability, and are based on 2 sharing (unless otherwise stated). Prices do not include optional extras such as: insurance, in-flight meals or group seating.

 Visit: www.crystalski.ie or call 01) 433 1080 or your local travel agent to snap up a deal on that snowy trip of dreams now!

Regatta Great Outdoors:

From cosy winter jackets to comfortable fleeces and reliable footwear Regatta Great Outdoors have everything you need to keep warm, dry and stylish with appropriate apparel easily transitioning your style from dazzling slopes to Après Ski shenanigans. Plus they have a sale on! 

{Dare 2B Black Cultivated Jacket. €260}

{Dare2B Motif Sweater €60}

For guaranteed protection on the slopes, all Regatta stores stock Dare2B, high performance men’s, women’s and kids ski clothing brand. Whether you need technical ski jackets, salopettes, base layers, and fleeces; Dare2B have a range of bold colours and stylish prints to make you stand out on the mountain.

 

 

{Ladies Brienna Waterproof Insulated Hooded Jacket was €100 now €67.00!}

{Dare 2B Kardrona Boots €140}

Apres Ski:

My footwear pick perfect for Apres Ski lounging, mingling or a spot of retail therapy in the mountains, are these stylish yet cosy boots Regatta’s Women’s Bedford Casual Boots in Saddle Brown ideal for when you want to keep it casual yet look presentable and appropriately dressed.

Have you ever been skiing? I’ve never been skiing before but I’d love to try it! Where’s your dream ski destination? Let me know your recommendations in the comments below. I’ve listed some of my European dream destinations below including: Zermatt, Switzerland, Morzine, France and Dolomites, Italy.

Zermatt is a “green” ski destination meaning it’s environmental attributes are better than most. Essentially “car free“, they have opted for *electric run buses, mini cars to transport hotel guests, even the taxi’s run on electricity!* Morzine is a traditional, more commercial mountain town located in one of the world’s most extensive ski resorts Portes du Soleil, with chalet layout.  *A quieter ski destination in Switzerland is Rigi which boasts the oldest mountain railway in Europe dating back to 1871* with breath- takingly beautiful, dramatic mountain views – being a fan of railway travel naturally, this is an experience I would a relish. The idea of sleigh rides and hot choc apres ski adds to the allure of a ski holiday for me of course! 

*Source: onthesnow.com

Other dream ski destinations are: Chamonix, Courcheval and Meribel in France. Grindelwald in Switzerland and I have Dolomites in Italy on my list to explore in both summer and winter, as I have it on good authority that the location has an incredible reputation as a summer resort to boot!

Browse the many destinations catered to on Crystal Ski and see which one suits your needs!

There you have it, all you need to plan and enjoy the perfect ski trip and shake off the January blues!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail. x

Images: 1st © Crystal Ski.

Rest: © Regatta Great Outdoors.

 

 

 

 

Travel Diaries: Historic Steam Train Journeys!

The Railway Children:

Recently, I finally got to step back in time and tick something off my ‘travel experiences’ list that is on most fellow train and railway enthusiasts lists – to journey on a historic Steam Train. Not only that, but journey along one of Ireland’s most scenic railway routes along the East coast, so revered for its beauty that it has seen renowned train enthusiastic Michael Portillo take his programme Great British Railway Journeys to Ireland and grace the line with his presence. Armed with his trusty Bradshaw‘s Handbook, as featured on Season 8 of the BBC programme, he featured the Wexford to Wicklow portion of this railway line including the scenic ‘Meeting of the Waters’ in Avoca, Co. Wicklow.

The Excursion: Railway Preservation Society of Ireland‘s: Steam Train Excursion aboard the ‘Sea Breeze’ train.

The Date: Sunday July 9th, 2017.

The Route: Dublin to Arklow Co.Wexford – East Coast Railway Tour.

*Content is not sponsored.

The Railway Children was childhood staple reading material for me alongside the original film with Jenny Agutter which remains a firm favourite. I never fail to watch it any chance I get!

We started the day with copious excitement, meeting the steam train at Dublin‘s Connolly station. I’ve always had a love affair with trains. Day trips (or longer) aboard trains were commonplace childhood traditions for me. I find the “click, click, clack, clack” of the train travelling along the tracks soothing and relaxing, however I was sad to learn that this type of track is gradually being replaced and that the Dublin to Wexford line is one of the last in the country that you can still hear that sound nostalgically reverberating between carriages.

The opportunity to travel aboard the ‘Sea Breeze‘ Steam Train was truly a unique experience and one that will be cherished! I booked the trip as a Father’s Day present, as my Dad has longed to go on a steam train journey for as long as I can remember. My niece and Mom also came along to create some special memories. I’m forever grateful to the staff of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland for giving me VIP Access upon learning that I was Travel Media. The team went above and beyond to accommodate my reporting needs!

{Pictured: footage captured, reporting done – feeling inspired and living my dream of enjoying the incredible views of the Eastern seaboard, aboard the ‘Sea Breeze’ Steam Train.}

Do The Locomotive:

On this ‘all access‘ trip I was treated to exclusive access to several different viewing points in order to record pictures & video without unwanted distractions and background audio in order to get a clear audio of the true screech of a steam train whistle! I also hopped on board the Locomotive to experience what it was like inside, how many operators it fit and get a real feel of the heat inside due to the primed furnace, for myself. Blessed with a rare blisteringly hot day in the sunny southeast, I felt a bit bad for these guys working in such oppressive heat both inside and out!

Check out my video footage on my Facebook page GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor and Instagram: @littlegforce for EXCLUSIVE video footage from the day!

{Pictured: Above – Victoriana views from the inside of the Locomotive. Below – Selfie opportunity aboard the Locomotive!}

{Pictured: Locomotive like the Sea Breeze used for our excursion. *Photo courtesy of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.}

What’s on Offer?

Facilities: are kept to a minimum and include bar and snack services (including some hot food options) and of course lavatories. I had opted to not avail of these services instead opting to bring some snacks from home and available of  a lunch stop at our destination.

There is also a raffle held on board going to and coming from destinations as well as posters for sale.

》NOTE: There is NO overnight availability on these particular excursions however if you’re looking for that option you may like to explore the recently launched ‘Belmond‘ complete with Silver Service it’s Ireland‘s answer to the Orient Express!

{Pictured: images on board the steam train of other locomotives in the fleet}. 

PICTURE THIS!

Picture Gallery: Views to be enjoyed on the Dublin to Wexford Railway Journey!

{Pictured: The infamous chimneys of Poolbeg – an iconic sight dotted on the skyline of Dublin.}

{Pictured: views from the steam train of Ireland‘s Riviera, featuring Killiney Bay & Beach – with Bray head and Greystones in the distance.}

{Pictured: murals featured on the wall at Platform Two of Bray Train Station – erected in 1987 the outcome of a community arts competition won by then student artists John Carter and Jay Roche. The murals depict various eras of Irish History and Irish Railway History from the opening of the train station in the 1852 up to the 1980’s. The murals were recently restored in 2008 and updated from mural to mosaic when it was discovered that lime was seeping into them. Visit Mural to Mosaic to see how the work is progressing.}

{Pictured: views from the steam train along the Bray to Greystones railway route. }

Continuing along the line after the pretty coastal village of Greystones passengers are treated to picturesque views of the Sugarloaf mountain in Wicklow, as well as a glimpse at typical countryside scenes such as hay stacks, sheep, cattle and horses grazing on the Western facing side of the train, topping it off with stunning coastal picture postcard views on the Eastern facing side of the train.

{Pictured: Wicklow’s famed Sugarloaf Mountain as viewed from the steam train.}

{Pictured: the inspiration behind and where Thomas Moore penned, his melody ‘Meeting of the Waters’. This picturesque location is where the Avonmore and beg rivers meet to form the Avoca river – Avoca, Co.Wicklow.}

Destination Pics – The Arklow Arrival:

A very ‘Irish’ welcome greeted us at Arklow train station – sign reads welcome in  the Irish language or ‘as Gaeilge’.

{Pictured: Arklow station – luggage weighing scales from times gone by.}

{Pictured: View of train from outside the station walls showing it’s steam capacity.}

Destination Arklow:

Named after Ardwell, a 9th century Viking warrior leader the town of Arklow was first established as a settlement 2000 years ago. Arklow is halfway between Dublin and Wexford and is nestled at the foothills of the Wicklow mountains and is set around the estuary of the Avoca river. Another fun fact: Arklow is identified as a port on Greek geographer Ptolemy’s 2nd century map of Brittania.

From Arklow you have access to some of the best beaches on the East coast, plus a range of B&B’s and hotels were you can retire after a day exploring the stunning surrounding countryside in the area. The Maritime Museum is a huge draw within the town also, not surprising, considering the town’s long maritime history. Visit Arklow.ie for more information.

We had about 2 and a half hours to explore the town of Arklow before our return journey to Dublin. After several stops for photo opps, (of course!) we chose to eat in Darcy McGees upon recommendation from a passenger on the train and Tina of the RPSI. The pub was buzzing and servings were generous, I recommend the half portion option! The food was good, typical pub grub offerings and the establishment was busy with local and visiting trade – always a good sign.

We followed our meal with a visit to a small local shop for a ‘99′ ice–cream and to indulge in some goodies for the train journey home.

The RPSI run several excursions throughout the year which book out fast! In case you missed it: I’ve linked the RPSI website above.

It is worth noting: expect delays from time to time. We were delayed leaving Arklow train station bound for Dublin, for about 40 minutes. The RPSI run these excursions around the daily train timetable of Irish Rail so sometimes delays are beyond their control.

Once again I’d like to thank the RPSI in particular Tina and Pat of the RPSI for their hospitality and VIP access making the trip a truly memorable experience.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time…

Gail. x

Photography: © Gail O‘Connor.

Original Locomotive pic: is © of RPSI as previously stated.

Various location information via: VisitWicklow & Arklow.ie.

Marcel’s Dublin The REVIEW: Cocktails and Dreams!

 

The Event: Marcel’s ‘Influencer Evening’ Mixology Masterclass in conjunction with BLOGGERCONF. #BestofMarcels

The Date: August 18th 2016
The Location: Marcel’s French Restaurant, Merrion Row, Dublin.

I adore the glamour the addition of a tray of cocktails brings to an evening, adding a certain ‘je nais se quoi‘, and serving as the ultimate conversation starter!

 

Labour of Love:

From inception, to sourcing fresh ingredients and the quality of alcohol used, right through to the often mind-blowing presentation, you have to admit – done right, cocktail making is an art form!

The vast crowd assembled to celebrate Marcel’s first anniversary on Merrion Row, Dublin, eagerly lapped up all the behind the scenes tid-bits on the art of cocktail making at this exclusive ‘Influencer‘ event!

Leading the evening’s festivities was Tomasz our bartender and mixology mastermind for the evening, a hospitable and friendly host who whipped up some divine concoctions, my faves being the pineapple and passion-fruit blends!

Marcel’s is part of the Mercantile Group also responsible for some of my favourite restaurants and bars such as uber stylish and renowned Pichet, Farrier and Draper, Opium and Cafe En Seine to name but a few.

{One of my faves of the evening was this pineapple and passion-fruit blend! I give you ‘La Passiona‘ complete with copper tankard…and we all know how much I love copper anything!}

The evening was a smashing success! An informative and incredibly fun learning experience – with some attendees even trying their hand in applying what we had learned!

The Pornstar Martini is a winner. Every. Time.

{Cheers to Marcel’s and their first Anniversary}

I highly recommend a trip to Marcel’s Dublin to sample their copious array of cocktails if you’re in Dublin visiting or just in town for a shopping trip or night out! It’s worth noting the food is also delicious.

Thanks to Marcels Dublin for the invitation to celebrate their First year Anniversary on Merrion Row, Dublin and to Buck and Hound PR and BLOGGERCONF also.

Thanks for stopping by guys! Until next time…

Gail. xx

Photography: © Gail O’Connor.

*Not sponsored.

 

REVIEW: Dental Care with REGENERATE NR5- Worth the Hype?!

Shine Bright Like a Diamond!

#RegenerateYourSmile

One of our best accessories is often the most ignored and taken for granted – our smile.

Our smile is often the first welcoming and friendly sign we give to people and the wider the better! First impressions count for a lot and especially so when working in the beauty industry and networking at events like Fashion Week

I attended the official re-launch of Regenerate products in Ireland in May and since June, I have been trialling *Regenerate Toothpaste with Nr5™ in a bid to undo some of the damage from enamel erosion as well as the damage I have done to the gum surrounding a tooth which has left the dentine surrounding it exposed. This particular dentine problem arose during an overly zealous tooth brushing session recently, much to the dismay of myself and my Dentist…who marvelled at the fact that I was being too clean with my brushing!

 

What is Tooth Enamel?

Tooth enamel is the outer coating of the tooth and despite it’s hardness it gets eroded daily by acid attacks from food and drink.

At the re-launch of Regenerate Enamel Science NR5™ Toothpaste guests were told how to spot if their tooth enamel is wearing thin, by checking the bottom of our teeth and examining if the bottom is becoming a little more transparent then the rest of our teeth. Most of us in attendance had signs of enamel erosion…

How Does Enamel Become Eroded?

Tooth enamel erosion frequently goes unnoticed and happens to everyone of all ages, making teeth increasingly vulnerable. It can occur from enamel exposure to acidic food and drinks such as carbonated drinks like lemonade, cola, vegetable juices and smoothies and fruit waters such as lemon water. It is best to consume these liquids through a straw to curtail the exposure of acid to the tooth enamel.

The Claims:

Regenerate Enamel Science NR5 builds up, essentially “regenerating” the enamel surrounding teeth and makes it stronger protecting against tooth decay and loss.
According to the team behind Regenerate Enamel Science “80% of common tooth problems are caused by enamel erosion and acid attacks“.

9 years of research inspired by bone repair technology have lead to the development of the exclusive and clinically proven NR5™ technology.

 

With every use active NR-5 ingredients combine to form a fresh supply of enamel minerals. These wrap and integrate onto teeth helping to regenerate enamel and reverse the erosion process helping to keep teeth strong and healthy.

It is the first system that can regenerate enamel mineral, with the same mineral that tooth enamel is made from, helping to regenerate enamel by restoring its mineral content and micro hardness .

The Review:

Like I said above, I had an overzealous tooth cleaning session rushing out the door one morning and brushed too hard resulting in a slight exposure of dentine to one of my teeth. I realised I had done something wrong when the incident took place however the soreness subsided after a day or two and I got on with things making a note to visit the dentist – noticing in the mirror that my gum looked a little more in an upward position to its usual appearance.

I went about the start of my day and headed out for my daily walk…(I add at this point, that this was in the middle of winter in frigid conditions). Mid-way through my walk and really pounding the pavement I began to breathe deeper through my mouth as I was feeling the workout – once I inhaled the icy cold air within it went directly to the area of sensitivity surrounding my tooth where the dentine had become exposed! I winced with the pain and thought “that’s weird!”. I hadn’t realised that it was the spot that had been sore whilst brushing a dew days before! I continued my walk but had to reduce the speed as the same thing kept happening with every breath – and similiar pain arising upon consumption of cold drinks or ice-cream.

Since using Regenerate Enamel Science NR5 religiously morning and night I have noticed a significant difference in the reduction of sensitivity particularly in the “exposed” area. I have also noticed significant whitening of my teeth has occured and that the tip of the bottom of some of my teeth, that were slightly transparent are less so now after prolonged use. I used a pea-sized amount daily morning and evening (before events and the like also) and the product lasted me about 3 months used in this way.

 Major Performance Points right there!

My Experience – from Performance Points to Pleasure of Use:

☆ Significant lessening of sensitivity to the area where dentine is exposed.
☆ Whitened teeth quickly
☆ Gentle formula – pleasing crystallised appearance, no burning sensation.
☆ Pleasant, mild yet effective minty taste and scent.
☆ Decent sized tube (considering the price) – lasted 3 months using pea-sized amount.

Worth the Money?

The Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆/☆

I would say that if I saw it on the shelf I would probably scoff at the price however having tried the product, I have experienced the benefits and having been to the re-launch I now have an understanding of the science and research that goes into this product to back up the immense claims.

I give it 4/5 stars only de-ducting points for the price point which may make it unattainable for some folk. Performance-wise I found it to be stellar.

Upon trialling, Regenerate Enamel NR5 is in my opinion, definitely worth the money if you suffer from any of the issues I have mentioned in this post and if it within your price point. It has definitely earned it’s four star rating!

Would I purchase again?

Definitely,  for the reasons above. The price would have me considering my budget with every purchase however as at €13.99 it is approximately double the price of other household names in toothpaste (which I can understand given the research), that claim to do something similiar…it is definitely a results based, considered purchase!

There is also a Regenerate Enamel Science NR5 Boosting Serum Kit™ that you can use alongside the toothpaste for double the performance, however I wanted to trial the toothpaste alone to see results from  its solo performance as a lot of people may decide to only opt for the toothpaste option in the Regenerate Enamel Science family!

The Boosting Serum rings in at €39.99 a considerable hike in price form the toothpaste but the claims are that it lasts three months, used once a week for three days with a heightend performance power through dual usage of products.

I hope to report back on the performance power of this product once I incorporate it into my routine.

{A close up of the crystallised appearance of Regenerate Enamel NR5 Toothpaste – I found the appearance very pleasing, coupled with the gentle whitening effect I felt the toothpaste really performed the way the scientists claimed it would.}

There you have it, thoroughly tried and tested – Regenerate Enamel Science NR5 toothpaste comes ‘GlamForce Approved and Recommended‘.

Thank yous go to Unilever Prestige and Avila Lipsett for the invitation to the incredible Regenerate event and Press Samples to trial.

Have any of you tried Regenerate Enamel Science NR5 Toothpaste? Do you think you will?Let me know!

Regenerate products are available in most Boots stores.

I hope you enjoyed this Review/Beauty Chat style post guys and thanks for stopping by!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
This post contains PR Samples marked with * however all thoughts and views are 100% my own as always!

Classic Summer Style Lookbook: The VACATION EDIT!

Reflective Style:

They say style is reflective of who you are and where you’re going, an extension of yourself and who you want to be.

For me, style can be mood dependant, I adore styling outfits and expressing how I want to present myself on any given day  – meaning boho vibes/preppy/edgy styles are plucked from my wardrobe on the daily. My own style is constantly evolving, however they’re are some style preferences that are innate to me such as All-American preppy, Hamptons-esque style with Spanish and French influences. 

I’ve also become known for my love of and consistent sporting of a leather jacket to add a touch of edginess to an outfit. Another style I have an affinity with is Boho/Beach/Festival style – I’m talking 70’s influences of “Almost Famous” Penny Lane style as well as maxi skirts and dresses, play-suits, denim skirts, kimonos, fringing, head crowns and head-chains.

I decided that whilst on holidays this year I would bite the bullet and get started on my style posts and after a bit of a blogging hiatus I’m back and refreshed!

I am often asked where I get my clothes from and how to style certain items of clothing and accessories for various events people have in their lives. I’ll be sharing my styling tips in my outfit posts so feel free to share my content with anyone who may benefit from it!

I hope you enjoy guys!

{Style shoot: Soaking up the rays and getting those poses down, on the steps of Russborough House.}

Giving the Cold Shoulder:

Cold shoulder, off the shoulder bardot – these are the styles of the summer when it comes to summer tops and tees and I for one am embracing it all!
Fun fact: In seventeenth century France reigning monarch King Louis XIV favoured the off the shoulder look with the décolleté exposed on the women in his court at Versailles – and it seems the feminine allure of this type of style is continuing to unfurl, having a bit of a renaissance centuries on.

These styles are all over the high-street this summer with some beauts in Zara, Primark, H&M and so many others!

The Outfit:

For my holidays I wanted to exude an “off-duty” preppy style which for me is a Hamptons-esque style – preppy, smart casual attire featuring lightweight materials that are easy to layer, the addition of a stylish hat to make outfits pop and to hide behind from the sun’s rays, comfy footwear for all of the exploring and an eye-catching, classic bag to hold all of my essentials.

These key pieces have become part of my summer capsule wardrobe and are staple pieces that work time and time again for many different occasions or excursions from running errands at the weekend to hanging out at a falconry!

{Getting up close and personal with some Birds of Prey with species such as: Snowy Owls and White Tailed Eagles to Falcons  after a wonderful in-depth tour of the falconry at Russborough.}

Classic Summer Capsule Wardrobe Pieces:

Top: Primark
Skinny Jeans: H&M
Shoes: Primark

The Accessories:

Bag: Fiorelli

Hat: Marks & Spencer

Sunglasses: Primark

Chain: Accessorize

Bracelet: Pandora

Midi-Rings: H&M

Tan is: B Bold Tan a must have accessory!

Tell me are you a fan of the cold shoulder trend? What are some of your favourite summer pieces?

Thanks for stopping by guys and I hope you enjoyed this style post as much as I had fun shooting it!

Gail. Xx

Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
Shot on location in Russborough House & Parkland.

FASHION ALERT: Designers To Take a Less Conventional Approach to Fashion Week Presentations?!

Is this the end of the line for the traditional runway show?
Are design houses now favouring a less conventional runway model over the traditional 6 month window between collections?

With big changes coming to fashion these questions linger on the lips of many of us fashion lovers looking at the bigger picture.

FASHION TRENDS: Irish Exclusive? The H&M Studio A/W2015 Collection Pre-Launch & Show.

With London Fashion Week came the buzz of S/S16 collections and if you’ve been following me on my social media channels you’ll have seen that I witnessed some London Fashion Week shows in person! Yes folks, I was lucky enough to be invited to numerous shows for London Fashion Week but more of that in an upcoming blog post series and it is not to be missed, so stay tuned!

Autumnal Vibes:

For now: it’s Autumn – so I’m taking you through the latest A/W2015 collection from a favourite store of mine – H&M!

#DublinFashion

At the height of Dublin Fashion Festival we saw things kicked up a notch with a jam packed schedule of fashion shows, previews, makeup tutorials and catwalks strewn across the Dublin cityscape!

The Date: Tuesday September 9th 2015.

The Event:

With Dublin Fashion Festival well and truly under-way, I attended the H&M Studio AW2015 Collection Pre-Launch event in conjunction with Stellar magazine.

The Location:

H&M Flagship store, College Green, Dublin.

The flagship store was packed to the rafters with press, bloggers and various other fashion folk as well as some lucky Stellar magazine readers!

The Hype:

Consistently showing at Paris Fashion Week, the H&M collections are amongst some of the most highly anticipated collection drops of each season.

Guests were treated to the exclusive chance to shop the collection before anyone else, whilst sipping on bubbly and listening to the set list of a live DJ. Illustrator extraordinaire, Conor Merrimen furiously sketched delighted guests who looked on in awe at his skill and talent.
Ireland found itself with the bragging rights and exclusivity of being the first country to have access to the collection, now in-stores! Über cool.

Drop the beat: DJ, model & TV presenter Vogue Williams, banged out the tunes all night!

The Collection:

Much like nature’s paintbrush in Autumn, the H&M Studio A/W2015 Collection is a myriad of colour from lush greens, camel tones and rich burgundy to various shades of rust and cream.

A departure from the usual high street norm, this collection sees classic, staple pieces combine and compliment the edgier, statement pieces – all easily incorporated into your wardrobe for the coming season.

Metallics, embellishments, print, sequins, leather and lurex in the form of bra-lettes, seventies style shirts, lightweight turtle neck sweaters, trousers, co-ordinates, jackets and jumpsuits dot the collection and with co-ordinates/two pieces set to be huge trends this A/W embracing any of the predicted trends is easy with this collection.

The collection in pictures!

Up Close and Personal:

Intermittent fashion shows presented the A/W2015 Collection to us in a spectacular manner with models entering onto the shop floor from the escalators, beautifully spaced all the while showcasing the collection magnificently.

I adore when fashion brands use “live models”, at a launch in a store environment be it a fashion show or simply walking the room to show their offerings. It gives potential consumers the chance to see the movement of the clothes up close and personal, as well as the “off hanger effect“…What’s that you ask?
You know when you see something on a hanger and think “hmm, that’s not for me,” but when you actually see it on someone, you’re compelled to have it and start reaching for your wallet!

That’s what I like to call the “off hanger effect”. Happens the best of us.

Kudos to Jules Fallon. Linda Conway and team for their co-ordination of the models and overall presentation. Thoroughly enjoyable and gave attendees a front and centre experience with the showcase.

Seriously Stylish: styling by Linda Conway.

Menswear: was a more pared down and muted affair, whilst still hitting the mark in the style stakes.

Menswear: Sleek silhouettes came in the form of the classic trench, long-line coats, laid back leather jackets, fitted tees, chino-style trousers and staple shirts.

Work it: yep, there I am in the reflection snapping away – tan bag, tan booties!

Tell me – did anything catch your eye from the collection? What trends are you loving for A/W2015? I’d love to know! As always you can leave a comment below, Tweet me: @DublinGail or Tag me on Instagram: @littlegforce and check out the Blog Facebook page: Glamforce Blog by Gail O’Connor!

Thanks to everyone involved in such a wonderful showcase of fashion for the coming seasons, a truly enjoyable night of catch ups, fashion and fun. What more could we have asked for?!

I hope you enjoyed this fashion post and found it informative, especially if you’re tempted to add some new pieces to your A/W wardrobe!.

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
Final Image: H&M.

FASHION IN DUBLIN: The Launch of Dublin Fashion Festival 2015! #DublinFashion

The Date:
Wednesday 12th July 2015:

The Location:
City Hall, Dublin.

A host of fashion’s finest gathered on a beautiful, balmy summer’s eve at City Hall to celebrate the Official Launch of Dublin Fashion Festival 2015. From high street to Irish Design, we were treated to a show-stopping array of fashion to feast our eyes upon! Truly an event not to be missed and I was delighted to be in attendance.

The Fashion Festival will run from the 7th-13th September 2015 – a full week this year!

City Hall itself is a fine example of Georgian architecture standing tall in the heart of Dublin, with palatial grandeur and stunning design and artistry, from floor to ceiling. I am an avid admirer of this type of architecture having been brought up from a young age to appreciate the architectural prowess involved in it’s structure and indeed its place in Irish history.

The Event:

Upon arrival I got some quick snaps, before mingling. I opted for a classic outfit choice one which I deem chic enough for such an event, yet I was comfortable in – always wear what you’re confident in ladies! I wore head to toe Dunnes Stores and Penneys.

The Face of the Dublin Fashion Festival was revealed and is none other than the lovely Pippa O’Connor-Ormond!

The entrance hall was bustling upon arrival with an array of faces from the world of fashion.

Moving into the main hall it was a bustling hub of activity with a heightened sense of anticipation and excitement in the air! I mingled and met some lovely people who I’d only “known” on-line. It’s always refreshing to actually meet face to face!

Emma O’Farrell was covering the event for Outfit Connector.

Image courtesy of Emma O’Farrell.

CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney was first up to speak with a welcoming speech and introduction to the concept of DFF.

Next up was Clyde Carroll who is the front man for Dublin Fashion Festival. Clyde spoke of the aim of DFF:

We aim to bring people back into the city to shop and socialise again. – Clyde Carroll

Clyde also humbly thanked his team who pulled off such a huge undertaking and all of the sponsors of the festival.

Last but by no means least was The Face of the festival herself, Pippa O’Connor – Ormond. Dressed in a chic jumpsuit and killer heels (all courtesy of Arnotts, Dublin), Pippa spoke about her delight at being The Face of the Festival and how honoured she was to have been selected.

Pippa also reminisced about her childhood memories of shopping the streets of Dublin with her mother and that special feeling of sparkle she always felt, especially at Christmas-time, a memory that may have resonated with a lot of us who grew up shopping in Dublin at Christmas, I know it did with me!
The city for me, always took on a magical, fairytale-esque vibe to it at Christmas…and still does to this day. It is truly special.

The Show:

The fashion show was a dynamic and delightful whirlwind of: 70’s Glam, Boho Chic, feathers, sequins, capes, monochrome, chunky sky-high heels, leather and lace. Autumnal colours of burnt orange, mustard, plum, red and green were sprinkled throughout the collections, with various shades of white taking centre stage amongst some of the collections.

The silhouettes of each outfit blended seamlessly, beautifully showcasing the latest offerings from the high street to Irish Design.

Monochrome dress: Oasis.

Designers carried within such stores as Brown Thomas, BT2, St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Arnotts, Powerscourt Centre, Debenhams, the Ilac and Jervis Shopping Centres, were showcased, along with looks from high street favourites Penneys, River Island, and Dunnes Stores to name just a few!

KYMAÏA: If you’ve read my Emergence Exhibition Launch and Fashion Show post, you’ll have seen a preview of the stunning collection from the Kabira Allain – KYMAÏA label.

KYMAÏA: The Lily Dress and Cala Cape.

KYMAÏA: The Bryony Coat, Iris Top & Lila Black Leather Skirt.

Image courtesy of Emma O’Farrell.

Image courtesy of Emma O’Farrell.

Suit-ably Stylish!

Impeccable men’s suits featured strongly in the show including designers such as Louis Copeland.

This dress from Coast is stunning and is a standout look for me. The neutral colour scheme is sophisticated and the movement of the dress is über feminine, just look at that swish!

Canon who are one of the sponsors of the event, were on hand providing complimentary snaps to guests and being a lover of photography, I’m thrilled with my keepsake!

Upon leaving, guests were gifted with a goodie bag and invited to The Meeting House for drinks.

A big thank you goes to Clyde Carroll, Daniel Fortes, and all of the DFF and Dublin Town teams, Jules Fallon, Elevate PR, and everyone else involved in the production of this stellar event. I can’t wait for Fashion Week!

Check out my Twitter @DublinGail AND for EXCLUSIVE video content from the show: check out my Instagram @littlegforce and the GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor Facebook page. If you LIKE what I do, why not give me a follow or a LIKE whilst you’re over there!

I hope you enjoyed this post guys, thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, I’ll love ya & leave ya!

Gail. Xx

Images © Gail O’Connor.
Thanks to Emma O’Farrell for permission to use a few of her shots.
Dublin Fashion Festival Logo images via Dublin Fashion.
KYMAÏA pics via KYMAÏA FB page courtesy of DFF & Louise Rawlins.
Shout out to my photographer friend and fellow blogger Damien Broderick for our impromptu photo shoot!

Models: 1st Option Models.
Hair & Make-up: Toni & Guy
Food: San Lorenzos.
Drinks: The Meeting House.
Event sponsors: Evoke.ie, Canon, Luas, CityJet, Naked Coconut Water, Toni & Guy, 98FM and Dublin City Council.

The BEST NEW Monthly Beauty Box? Sephora’s LATEST Cosmetic Service!

Play! With Sephora:

Sephora, the mecca of every beauty and make-up lover, is making waves – not only is it finally offering a monthly subscription box service (eek!) but is also headed down under!

Although predominantly associated with trips to the States to indulge in some Sephora goodness, Sephora is actually a French make-up store. Founded in Paris in 1970 by Dominique Mandonnaud, it has become synonymous with must-have cosmetics from all of our favourite brands. Sephora’s own brand is gaining traction with it’s make-up brushes being a particular favourite within the make-up and beauty blogging community. It’s parent organisation is powerhouse, Louis Vuitton.

All Eyes on Sephora: The Best Beauty Box?

This move into the Subscription Box service is a genius business move for the company and I think it is set to create quite a stir within that market, with many competitors sitting up to take note. The company are joining the market at the right time before it reaches saturation.

If Sephora continue as they mean to go on and remain true to their subscription box offerings of high end products, the company has significant potential to gain market share and give competitors a real run for their money. That would be great news for us make-up lovers!

The Subscription Box:

If you’re like me and haven’t popped your Sephora cherry yet, this may be the perfect way to get your mitts on some of the fabulousness that every beauty lover that goes to America, and hits up a Sephora store, goes on about!

This new offering from Sephora known as “Play!” is set to rival it’s competitors and based on the contents of the first box, may nudge its competitors to up their beauty box game! I love the name of the box personally, as it conjures up images of getting to “Play” with make-up!

The $10 a month subscription charge, puts it on par with Birchbox, Glossy Box and other established and successful, subscription box competitors however, Sephora may already have a little edge over their competitors trading on the power and instant recognisability of their brand, notoriety as a beauty lovers paradise and the loyal consumer base they have accumulated!

What to expect?

Five deluxe sized products ranging from make-up to skincare to haircare each month, differing in brands with each box. Each box will be themed and as Sephora is famed for, some amazing samples thrown in for good measure! A few bonus features will be included also such as Spotify playlists.

The First Box:

Rumoured to contain products from:

Marc Jacobs

Ole Henricksen

Sephora’s Own Brand

GlamGlow

Bumble and Bumble

It is worth noting that although we may be able to access some of these brands already in our countries, Sephora is known to have some products from brand lines that we don’t have access to yet. Hence, the subscription box could prove to be a gem of discovery for the beauty lover!

The service is being tested at the moment and is set to launch in September (only a few short weeks ladies!) in the U.S cities of Boston, Cincinnatti and Columbus Ohio. It will roll out in full in 2016.

Making Waves in Melbourne!

In other Sephora news…

The make-up giant is set to open another store in Melbourne Australia just in time for Christmas!

My Australian readers and the Irish diaspora down under may be particularly delighted with this news, however I am aware at how pricey make-up is to purchase in Australia which brings me back to the subscription box – it might be an option for you to get your Sephora on at a lower price point?!

With a store already located in Sydney, this new store will open in Melbourne’s CBD.

Now we just need to get a store in Dublin! (Hint, Hint!)

Is the Play! By Sephora Beauty Subscription Box The BEST? Only time will tell…

Tell me, would you subscribe or consider subscribing to this latest subscription box? I’d love to know!

I hope you found this beauty info post useful guys!
Thanks for stopping by.

Gail. Xx

SHOP Sephora

Image: Sephora.

Sources; Time, The New Daily.

Primark-Mania in the USA: Boston Bound!

Shipping up to Boston?

Not quite “shipping up” but Primark are definitely Boston bound this September! When I heard that my long-time favourite, super stylish, yet ultimate budget – friendly store was making the move into the U.S market I was thrilled! Why? Not only am I a lover of Primark, I’m also a lover of New England and have a ton of friends and business associates in Boston, now a trip to my adoptive home-town can consist of a shopping trip to Primark, plus everyone will know what I have been raving about all this time!

Top €13, Jeans €17, Shoes €20, Purse (Bag) €8, Faux Plants €2.

Penneys from Heaven!

With the long weekend that’s in it being “Fourth of July” and all, I thought I’d do a little “behind the brand” post featuring my beloved Penneys! I did various projects on Primark in college (hello swot analysis) in the last year and whilst doing my research, the big news hit, Primark were making waves and heading stateside! It has been so interesting learning the workings of the company, working out possible business strategies and scenarios etc for projects, that I thought I’d give you a little run down, a “behind the brand” peek as to what Primark is about.

What to expect from Primark:

Stylish, on-trend, budget-friendly paradise.

Founded by Arthur Ryan, Primark first opened it’s doors in Ireland in 1969 on Mary’s Street, Dublin. Primark is the company name and identifies the entire company, whilst Penneys is the trading name and is used in the Republic of Ireland only – hence why it is fondly known to us Irish as Penneys!

Primark has a loyal following and fan base here in Europe and builds upon that brand loyalty with consistent expansion throughout Europe, it therefore, seems a natural progression to enter the U.S. market as they already have a growing legion of fans from the U.S. who previously had to get their Primark fashion fix abroad in Europe whenever they got the chance! Apart from a brief foray into on-line retailing on the ASOS website, Primark currently do not retail on-line. Hence, bricks and mortar stores are hitting U.S. shores this Autumn/Fall!

From women’s and men’s clothing to children’s wear, home furnishings, makeup, accessories…Primark is a one-stop shop!

Feast your eyes on some of Primark’s latest offerings!

And the men? Yep Primark’s got you covered!

Primark will open at the site where the renowned Boston institution – Filenes Basement once occupied in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston’s shopping district this September, with more stores to follow at a later date.

I hope you found this post useful, be it to keep in mind when travelling to the states or if you’re a reader from the U.S. now you know, Primark is coming to a town near you! #getexcited

Remember: If you find yourself in Ireland and want to go to Primark, it’s known as “PENNEYS!”

P.S. If this blog post has whet your appetitie for all things Primark, then check out my blog post – FESTIVAL FASHION EDIT: KEY pieces featuring Primark and other stores!

As usual thank you so much for stopping by guys and I hope all of my readers from the States had a safe, fun and fabulous Fourth of July!

Gail. Xx

This is not a sponsored post. I just LOVE Penneys (Primark) and wanted to share the news.

Information is correct at time of publishing.
Images via Primark.