When the Coat Met the Cardigan

This season has been all about fashion mash-ups. First we had the "Snood", pioneered by Burbury (the product of a hood and scarf liaison), then jeans and leggings jumped on the bandwagon with "Jeggings" and now the latest fashion fusion is the "Coatigan"...

Essentially a cardigan moonlighting as a coat, the Coatigan has been a celeb favourite for a few months now and there are a plethora of variations on the market to suit every shape, taste and budget.

Broadly speaking, there are 2 main Coatigan styles - chunky knit (think 'lagging jacket') and slim knit (think 'cozy sophistication').


VARIATION 1

This chunky woolly number (pictured below) is from Warehouse, http://www.warehouse.co.uk/. It is deliciously warm (especially on a frosty day like today) but could you imagine trying to wash it? The weight of the thing!

Choose if: You're cold obviously! This style suits anyone who is narrower on top (slim shoulders, small bust) as the bulky material won't make you look chunky.

Avoid if: You have broad shoulders or a large bust as ths style will only make you look bigger. Also, avoid this length if your hips are wide as this hem-length will draw attention to your hips.


VARIATION 2:

This slim-line version from Marks and Spencers may not have the cuddly factor of the chunky Warehouse version, but it's imminently more washable and, dare I say, wearable.


Choose if: You need a classic Winter Warmer to throw on over almost any outfit. Most people can wear this shape very well as it drapes the figure beautifully, and the soft belt draws subtle attention to the waist.


Yours in style,
Caroline

I love 'LOVE Aprons'

If you are looking for a stylish Christmas gift for a style-conscious cook, then check out Clodagh McKenna's LOVE Apron range on http://www.clodaghmckenna.com/.

The selection includes three 1950s-inspired aprons (red, green and black/white print) - and new to the range is a navy vintage-style half-pinny.

The aprons cost €35 each and the pinny is €25.95. The price includes the fabulous colour-coordinated packaging pictured in the iddle picture above.

These aprons are stocked in selected stores nationwide (including Carrig Donn) as well as on Clodagh McKenna's website, http://www.clodaghmckenna.com/. I recently purchased a selection of these aprons from the website and I was delighted with the service and speedy delivery (Mr. DHL arrived on the doorstep less than 48 hours after I submitted my order).

Yours in style,

Caroline

Swap Til You Drop

Are you a Stylista on a Recessionista budget?

If so, you might just be interested in a new store which has opened in Limerick in the past few days.

Be Fabulous is a high-end swap shop, specialising in new and nearly-new designer and high street clothing/accessories, at a fraction of the retail cost.

If you have high quality garments in your wardrobe that you never wear, why not trade them in at Be Fabulous. Alternatively, if you're looking for a gorgeous designer gúna without a designer price tag, this could be the place for you! With new stock arriving daily, I've a feeling that this place will become a veritable treasure trove for fashionistas and bargainistas alike!

Contact Details:
A: 15 Shannon Street Limerick (opposite the entrance to the George Boutique Hotel)
T: 086-3242818
E: mizinka@hotmail.com

Yours in style,
Caroline

Thinking Outside the Box

Whilst larking about on http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/ earlier, I happened across the brand new Bobbi Brown Black Plum Deluxe Beauty Trunk (pictured right), which has been released just in time for the Christmas market.

Ooh isn't it handsome - all faux leather and chrome and mirrors - it's like something I could happily live in.

Eh, except it costs an arm and a leg...nay, two arms and two legs...and probably a few organs too. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I discovered that it is retailling at £350 in the UK (which means that you won't get much change out of €450 here). And the leather isn't even real! Crikey eh.

Now, there's a lot to be said for having a good sturdy make-up case. Not only will it help you to keep your products organised, they're also less likely to get lost or damaged. However, a sturdy make-up case is a hard thing to find. Good quality cases, can cost anything from €200 upwards. In fact, I've seen poor quality make-up cases retailing in salon supply shops with pricetags of €80+!

I don't mind spending money on good products, but €200+ on what is essentially a box seems a bit excessive to me in the current climate.

So, time to think outside the box (if you pardon the pun)!

Enter, B&Q.

I purchased this B&Q Aluminium Storage Case last February for only €33! 10 months later it is still going strong. Costing less than 1/10th of the price of the Bobbi Brown equivilent. It's study, attractive and ideal for storing all my make-up bits and bobs.

Since discovering the merits of B&Q, Ive purchased a fantastic tool-pouch for €12, which is ideal for storing my 40+ make-up brushes and little plastic containers (that I can attached to my make-up brush belt) for storing disposable mascara wands, cotton buds etc.

Not bad eh!

Yours in style,

Caroline

More Folly than Jolly!

I came across a bizarre story yesterday on http://www.ananova.com/ which is so outlandish that it must be true...

Doctors at the Harley Medical Group (major UK cosmetic surgery operator) have experienced an influx of women looking have have Botox injected into the soles of their feet!

Are they hoping to eradicate wrinkles in their feet?
No.

Are they hoping their feet will sweat less? (Botox is often used to stop excess sweating.)
No.

Well what could they possibly want Botox for then?
Believe it or not, they're using Botox to prevent pain associated with wearing high heels! This new technique is known as "foot fillers" and costs a whopping £240 a go, for results that doctors say only last 2-3 months.

Now, I love my high heels as much as the next girl, but would I inject a poison into my feet to eradicate the associated pain? Not on your nelly!

Instead, I avoid all toe woes with following combination;

• Penneys' Foot Consolers*.
• Scholl Cooling Foot Spray.
• A supply of fabric plasters & Compeed blister plasters.
• A pair of flat shoes in my handbag (if all else fails).
• Basin of cool water (for bathing my feet when I get home).

*These sole-savers are just fantastic. Essentially each Foot Consoler is the same shape as the gel inserts e.g. Scholl's Party Feet. Like a gel insert, the Foot Consoler sits in your shoe under the ball of your foot. Unlike a gel insert however, it stays put by way of a secure, discreet strap. Another reason for favouring Foot Consolers over gel inerts is because they are made of cotton - which means that they don't become slippy, and as result there's less chance of you coming home with one/none of them! Best of all, they are an absolute bargain at only €1.50 for 2 pairs (available in Penneys).

Botox-schmotox eh!

Yours in style,
Caroline

Stylish Gift from Style By Caroline

Are you looking for a stylish gift to give a friend or loved one this Christmas? Well, we at Style By Caroline have Christmas Stocking surprise that is bound to delight!

Style By Caroline vouchers (€20 - €200) are available to purchase on-line and the lucky recipient will be able to redeem their gift against any of our services, including;

• Personal style lesson
• Personal shopping
• Wardrobe decluttering
• Make-up application for a special event
• Style classes
• And many more!

Purchase securely on-line using Paypal and the voucher will be dispatched to you within 24 hours. If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact us

Yours in style,

Caroline

My Experience at "The Wedding Experience"

Irish readers may not be familiar with her name (yet), but when it comes to event management across the pond, the name on every celebrity's lips is Tatiana Byron.

Byron specialises in organising extravagant events for the most elite names in the entertainment industry (think Mary J. Blige, Sean Combs, Diana Ross, Cannes Film Festival and so on), as well as organising weddings for high society names. And if that wasn't enough to manage, she is also President of The Wedding Salon, http://www.weddingsalon.com/, the world's premier luxury wedding showcase which takes place in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

No better women to headline "The Wedding Experience" at Adare Manor last Sunday then!

Organised by McEvents, The Wedding Experience is Ireland's most exclusive wedding showcase and Style By Caroline had the honour of being invited to participate at this event.

Five days on, I'm still struggling to find words to describe The Wedding Experience. I don't think I have ever seen anything like it. Genuinely. I've been to tonnes of wedding fairs in my time but this was in another dimension altogether.

Silver platters laden with delicate canapés and decidant desserts were in copious supply (why is food so much tastier in fun-size form?). Fruit punch and mulled wine melted any Winter chills, and as for the fireworks (see I told you it was extravagant!), well, put simply, they were spectacular. Imagine, all this against the sumptuous 'gothic revival' backdrop of Adare Manor.

The unanimous highlight amongst brides-to-be was the wedding preparation workshop hosted by Tatiana Byron. Alas, I didn't pick up any star secrets as I was based far away in the Gallery (and conveniently close to Sue Cummins, wedding cake designer, who allowed me to indulge in chocolate cake all day) but every couple I met was full of praise for Tatiana.

As the evening drew to a close, I had the pleasure of meeting the lady of the hour and I must say I was hugely impressed by her charm, wit...and fantastic clothes! She even happily obliged my request for a photo...

I'll be put the photos from the rest of the day up on the Style By Caroline Facebook page shortly. They describe the day far better that I ever could.

Yours in style,
Caroline