City Chic Styling Solutions: The Look-book.

 

Look-book Lowdown:

Leisurely park strolls and seeing the sights calls for comfort but that’s no reason to skimp on style!

I’ve pulled some looks featuring some of summer‘s hottest trends and staple items that will take you straight through into Autumn for the latest edition of my ‘Styling Solutions‘ Series: City Chic.

*Content is not sponsored.

The Basket Bag Trend:

My bag is vintage and is my take on the massive basket bag trend that is everywhere this summer. It has a chic Italian vibe to it and I’ve noticed this type of wooden handle feature is bang on trend going into Autumn/Winter 2017 gracing several bags that I’ve seen. One thing I adore and embrace about the fashion industry is when vintage style, is deemed on trend again! Rehashing styles instead of a focus on fast fashion is gathering momentum and is something I‘ve always embraced. Focus on attaining a collection of classic pieces that never truly go out of style and ‘shop your wardrobe’ to make the most out of your wardrobe pieces and get the most bang for your buck!

My white leather plimsolls with gold trim (pictured above) add a smart yet comfortable approach to footwear when exploring the cityscape.

Head–wear:

I am an avid wearer of hats and this particular style and material is ideal for hot, summer styling or warding off crisp autumnal chill. Lightweight, and adding a chic flair to any outfit, this piece is from Marks and Spencer (last year’s collection). Keep an eye out for their S/S18 collection as they typically carry similar styles each summer season.

{Pictured wearing: Belle sleeved denim jacket from Penney‘s (Primark).}

Belle of the Ball:

Belle sleeves are also a massive trend that is going nowhere this Autumn/Winter season. This lightweight belle sleeved denim jacket features such feminine details as the belle sleeve coupled with a pretty bow detail on the arms. The sleeves can be hiked up to shorten sleeve length if desired and it is the perfect transitional piece to take me from cool summer nights into crisp autumnal weather before Old Man winter takes hold and the cashmere makes an appearance!

My top also continues the 70‘s style belle sleeve trend so whether I have my jacket on or off I’m rocking a belle sleeve!

I’m very particular when choosing a floral print to wear and I’m not usually one for larger prints but this one spoke to me plus the colours and print can be styled right into Autumn, perfect for a hint of the elusive Indian Summer weather!

Throwing Shade:

White shades – were a massive trend this summer and this continues into the coming season. This pair from Guess (via TK Maxx) embrace two trends; white frames coupled with the cat eye trend, and with no shortage of compliments on these shades it’s safe to say they’ll be gracing my face for another while yet!

Shop the Look: 

Jacket & Cargo Pants: via Penney‘s  (Primark)

Top: via Swamp Fashion.

Watch: via Caravelle New York. 

Chain: bespoke piece via Liwu Jewellery. 

Shades: Guess via TK Maxx.

Earrings: via Accessorize.

Hat: via Marks and Spencer.

Shoes: Plimsolls via River Island.

Bag: is Vintage.

Tell me what are your key transitional pieces that will see you through from Summer to Autumn! Find me on Twitter: @DublinGail  Instagram: @littlegforce  Facebook: GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor

Until next time…

Gail. x

Photography: Cormac Pow.

New in Fashion: COS AW17 Preview.

Androgynous silhouettes, fluidity of material, frayed hems, “neutral” colour blocking – these are just some of the key trends I saw at the COS AW17 Preview. In this write up I’ll be taking you through a ‘Collection Overview‘ with a focus on ‘Key Trends‘ for Autumn/Winter 2017.

The Event: COS AW17 Press Day.

The Location: show space at 72 Grafton Street, Dublin.

The Date: April 27th 2017.

KEY TRENDS:

Frayed hems: on collars, hems and cuffs adorn key, minimal pieces giving them a subtle, fresh edge.

Blocks of Colour:

Colour blocking and neutrals are front and centre throughout this collection with COS turning the tables and giving the ‘colour blocking‘ definition a spin… encompassing deep red as a member of the “neutral” palette!

Smart & Cosy:

Soft merino wool makes an appearance once again in the form of skirts, trousers and turtlenecks in muted tones that will complement any wardrobe. The collection includes a range of different textures, everything from merino wool to silk.

Minimalism:

is a staple with COS and this bib-style, collarless shirt is a fine example of it. This piece will slot into your A/W17 capsule wardrobe with ease.

Merino wool skirt with folded pleat.

Fluidity of Fabric:

is another key trend in this collection with a molten effect, super soft to the touch that simply glides over the skin, hugging the silhouette. This addition brings a feminism to the boxier silhouettes of the androgynous shape favoured in this collection.

{Quirky geometric shapes abound: this handbag takes a boxy shape with an envelope type of style to it which caught my eye.}

Geometric Shapes:

From jewellery to handbags, to shoes and belts – geometric shapes abound in the collection in the form of materials such as perspex and steel.

With clean lines and geometric shapes COS have your staple wardrobe pieces covered. A classic colour palette of burgundy, black, pale grey, navy, cream and white these pieces are easily adapted into your work and weekend wardrobes this A/W season. An androgynous theme is softened with the addition of more feminine  style tops, sweaters and shirts in various fabric such as silk and cotton.

Tell me what pieces caught your eye from the collection preview? I’d love to know!

Remember you can catch me on •Twitter: DublinGail •Instagram: littlegforce • Snapchat: DublinGail & •Facebook: GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor.

With thanks to COS & the Baluba Team for having me!

Until next time…

Gail.xx

Photography: ©Gail O’Connor.

DIPG Cancer in Children: Taking Time & the Grief Process.

Learning to take a step back and allowing yourself to process and feel.

You’re probably wondering where I’ve been the last couple months – I took some time and lessened my work load #MindYourself as I was feeling run down and lack-lustre when it came to a lot of things.

This is a bit of a more personal post for me to explain my absence from my blog and to highlight how taking time out can be a very good thing but it’s knowing when to and actually implementing said break that is what we need to not lose focus on.

Just before Christmas was a particularly stressful time for me (as it is for most) but I also had a feeling gnawing away at me that I couldn’t quite put my finger on…

Anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, nauseous, weepy, and just not feeling like my usual “Social Butterfly” self. A feeling very new to me. Then one day these feelings coupled with residual feelings of anger and loss, confusion and feelings of betrayal gave way to unadulterated grief.

Grief.

Grief for my precious 4 year old niece Molly whom I lost to a rare, aggressive, inoperable brain cancer, 2 years ago – her anniversary having just passed.

Grief that I had compartmentalized, pushed to the back of my head in order to finish college and bury my head in my newly established blog to get through each day.

Grief. That finally rose from the depths of my thoughts because it seemed “safe” to do so. I had been strong for others for the time needed. Now it was my turn to allow myself the time to process my feelings and thoughts on the tragedy and feel and embrace the torrent of emotions that were couped up.

Don’t get me wrong, throughout the two years since her passing I’ve allowed myself time to cry on my own, feel sad and lost to a certain extent…but again I hadn’t felt that rush of release from my grief that leads you on the road to complete acceptance.

I now feel I am continuing on my journey of acceptance and release and starting to be able to open up and share more as to what happened and what a joy Molly was!

{More needs to be done to research here in Ireland and indeed around the world in relation to this rare, aggressive and inoperable form of childhood cancer.}

I have a short poem about my niece that I wrote and I would like to share, entitled “Living Doll” because that’s what she was to me:

Living Doll:

Sparkling red hair, peaches and cream complexion

A tiny doll, so full of affection.

A mighty stance, even at four, a personality so fierce and hard to ignore.

A beacon of joy, the possibilities were endless, when the news broke we were left breathless.

My living doll now relieved of the pain, our loss – heaven’s gain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As always thanks for stopping by and thanks SO much for sticking with me through my absence. It’s much appreciated.

If you’re looking for me on my other Social Media channels you can find me on •Twitter: DublinGail  •Instagram: littlegforce •Snapchat: username DublinGail •Facebook: GlamForce Blog by Gail O‘Connor.

Gail. Xx

Imagery: © DIPG US Facebook page. .

*Not sponsored.

Special thanks go to all of the staff especially Molly’s care teams at Crumlin Children‘s Hospital, Temple Steet Hospital and Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice. I’d also like to thank the charity Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.

If you are ever wanting to donate to worthy charities and causes any of these hospitals and charities mentioned are worthy. I would highlight however that Laura Lynn is Ireland’s ONLY Children’s Hospice and is non-government funded and relies on charitable donations.