Love Aftermath

Well Smudgers,

how are we all? Enjoying the rain after Valentine's Day? ;)

Ya know it's not so bad; you're either ....
a) single (with the options of excess sorrow drowning drinking or pizza with friends or YOU HAVE OTHER CRAP TO DO THAN THINK OF VALENTINES DAY!)
Or ....
b) taken (with an extra side dish of goofy PDA or YOU COMPLETELY FORGOT IT WAS VALENTINES DAY BECAUSE OF THAT OTHER CRAP CALLED LIFE and you were last minute preparing!)

I know it's been quite a while since my last post where I was off to the Style in the City 2 event where there was style from....

**Cotton Face (http://cotton-face.com/) where owner Sinead Lally invites you into a treasure chest of quirky costume jewellery and friendly price-tags. The shop is located along the beach in Spiddal, Galway. Once loved vintage attire and cool alternatives are all over this place :) From faux fur Parisian coats to flowy short-shorts, I can't think of a more adventurous shopping trip!!

**Harper (http://www.harper.ie/) on Elington Street in Galway holds within its doors an array of styles. Here you can turn any simple girls night out to ladies in the city! The aim for this store is unique and new with stock sourcing from a few places, you may know them; New York, L.A., Milan, London and Paris.

**Swamp (http://swampfashion.com/) is an 100% Irish-owned lifestyle hight street brand. It's quality fashion at its most affordable, from casual to classic wear. With new stock every week, catering from sizes 8 to 18, and exceptional customer service no wonder its a leading fashion retailer.

**Fiona Mangan Millinery (http://www.fionamangan.com/) award-winning milliner based in Athenry and a truely lovely woman. She holds the title of Ireland Accessories Designer in 2012 from the Kerry Fashion Awards, and in L.A. she claimed the Best Fascinator Award, in 2012 also. Zara Phillips is among one of the many Irish celebs who can be seen in one of these fascinating fantasies. Mangan's creations have been features on local and national newspapers and fashion magazines. She has stockists in Galway, London and Hong Kong - made for Strong, Unyielding females that dare to wear!

**Flea Style Market (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flea-Style-Market/328499153887335). Having worked at the Flea Style Market with Sinead Lally for two years (my "in" into Fashion <3 ) this monthly gem is funkiest indoor flea market. Located at the Electric Factory on Lower Abbeygate Street in Galway, popular vintage sellers from across Ireland can be found exchanging goods... for money though! The styles of the night were put together by Natalie McKeogh - her love and taste for vintage flare was evident that night, with a lovely patterned poncho and a maxi black dress with a turban and gold belt.

**Public Romance (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-Romance/196521403700625) located on Lower Abbeygate Street as well, run by Sinead Coughlan, who studied Fashion Design at LSAD. it aims to offer two unique fashion retail experiences with a selection of contemporary designer clothes and accessories downstairs and vintage 60's to 90's finds upstairs.

**Eureka (https://www.facebook.com/eurekapreloved) is a new kid on the block, found beside the post office in Salthill, Galway. It has established a reputation for innovative style and immaculate quality clothing. They have a wide range of sizes, and prices ( varying from €10 to €300!!). But whether its high street or high end pieces that you have a hunger for, this is the place to fill up.

The theme of the night was 'Glitz & Glam' and if you follow Freaky on Facebook (but of course you are!!) then you would see all the pretty pics! The entire event was sophisticatedly constructed by Sinead Lally, Rebecca Casserly (of BecBoop.com), Amber Doyle and Aidan Judge Stylist. All profits were raised for JIGSAW Galway, which offers support for young people aged 15 - 25, and the Brothers of Charity, who aid those with intellectual disabilities. Well Done to all for a fab night :) xx

Now let's skip to present day!

All Fur No Knickers - Strangelove event by Hunt & Gather <3
This Friday the 13th I, Freaky, was partying it up with the followers of Hunt & Gather. They throw some kick ass parties! My friend and I hopped up to Dublin to meet some friends and headed off down the streets to this thing, only one thing = secret venue .. And one problem = we don't know Dublin ...
"And the Lord looked upon them and said, " Lads, Google it?"..
Standing where our maze ended was a smiley fellow, named Sam I think, who led us down some stairs to a basement. I know that sounds a bit creepy but it was cool, there were fairy lights so!? Our names were ticked off the guestlist and we were shoved into a room of burlesque, fancy dress and some serious second-hand smoke. It was BYOB, which I was all for, and up a little flight of stairs to a canopy of blankets, pillows and friendly faces. By the time 3am hit the walls were sweating and the music wasn't getting any quieter so the only option was to dance it :) It was close to 5 before we were asked for the 3rd time to leave and then, with the new friends (shout out to Anna you riot!) we had acquired over the last 5 hours of drunkenness, we made our way to the Breakfast Club (a club that opens at 7am apparently because why must the party end??). After walking a mile and a half, and two comrades lost to over-tiredness (poor Gav and Paddy), we called it quits. I had an hour of sleep on a lovely strangers floor mattress before getting the 8.45 coach back to Limerick so I could go to work like a responsible adult :P

-->> the moral of the story kids, GO TO THE NEXT EVENT!!

A lot of the time it's hard to be a responsible adult when all you want to do is be a dumb kid and stay out all night and watch the sun come up without a care in the world.
Life is difficult, especially at the moment for Freaky. I think this life is moving too fast for little ole me and I want to experience everything!! Making a bucket list and checking it 50 times, so I'm off to London in two weeks for a me-cation with my housemate!

I know I'm completely brutal for the posts guys but if you feel like keeping up with Freaky Smudge, I'm always on Instagram so give me a follow anytime :)
Well that's it from me tonight as I am supposed to be studying but whatever. Later Smudgers!
XOXO
F.S.

Into the West #itwbn

Evening Smudgers,  

And a simply fantastic one it has been for me because I found myself at the Into the West Blogger Network! #itwbn :) Not only was the food yummy but the many beautiful and bubbly bloggers I met were lovely! 

I haven't been to a blogger party in a good few months and it was so nice to walk into a room full of laid back, easy to talk to people! I learnt quite a bit today but I still have no clue what a media kit is... Google??

I know that in life many of us feel the pressure to succeed and be the best etc.,  but something that we all need to realize is that no successful person got where they are today without a smudge of help from someone else. That's why I love people; everyone can teach you something, be it good or bad (mostly good I hope!). Today I learnt the importance of consistent blogging and what the right kind of publicity is for your blog, and how to get it. I've a lot of work to do but now I feel like I've people I can look to for advice :) thanks guys!! 

And a major huge thanks to the wonderful Sinead for hosting it ( http://www.yummymummy.eu.com/ ) ^_^ Walking into the Hotel Meyrick's Gaslight Bar & Brassier, Galway, to find everyone snapping pics of the drinks - yes I'm in the right place! 

As we chatted and took our seats Sinead said a few words and mentioned that we say a big thanks to our sponsors (many many sponsors!) and the special guests from iNailz. I'd heard about people getting images printed onto their nails but seeing it is cool! I kept scrolling through my iPhone for funny pictures or something  but in the end I didn't get anything, my nails are.... not in their best state at the moment. Wendy and Colin from iNailz passed around their catalogue to show us the hundreds of different prints and patterns you could get on your nails. 

iNails is based up in Dublin and I would most definitely give them a peek! ( http://www.inailz.ie/ ). Like you really can get anything, so Too Dolly Makeup ( http://toodollymakeup.blogspot.ie/ ) got herself some Beyonce nails - Lucky thing :) 

Time went by very fast and the fashion in the room was to die for; between floral kimonos and studded boots I was in heaven! There was the Best Dressed Blogger vote and many prizes to be given away, and a colossal amount of Twitter updates and new Instagram followers :) We also had our own Instagram board which I wish I owned!!! 

Siobhan ( http://www.dreaminginsequins.com/ )                                Regina ( http://gueststogarters.com/ )

It really was a great evening and all the better to part with a goodie bag in hand -spoiled! Thanks Sponsors!<3

No doubt I will be at the next itwbn party and am so happy I met loads of amazing bloggers today with so much to offer, be it advice or a friendly smile :)

Well that's all from me tonight Smudgers but keep posted :P

XOXO

F.S.

A Good Read

I used to preserve my magazines, especially my Vogues. Swearing I would never tear or rip them, that they would be in mint condition until the day I die, or lose my sense of fashion (oh please!). The thought truly only occurred to me over the summer - is that really making the most of these magazines?? HELL NO!
Now I measure how well a magazine is by how many pictures and articles I tear out of it! Call me crazy but, to me, it makes perfect sense.

My latest victim has been the ELLE Collection's S/S 14, and by God that thing has been through something fierce. But yes this edition was simply delicious - the trends, the catwalks, the hair, the makeup, the playlists, the trivia, the photography, the EVERYTHING :) It was a dream! I also came upon this little piece, or guide, that I want to share in my post tonight..
"Cheat Sheet - How to Fake It in Fashion" - by Hannah Swerling
Hannah you Goddess! Freaky loves you! The ultimate and humorous step by step programme to succeeding in fashion week when your knowledge of fashion is so-so. But not even; you could know loads about fashion and this guide simply helps you to kick ass!
I'm going to just give you an overview of the steps and their order:
Step #1: Twitter Account
Step #2: Learn the Lingo
Step #3: You're not ready for Step #4 so go back to Step #2!
Step #4: Street style bloggers
Step #5: Best seat in the house or none at all
Step #6: Eating and Drinking (haha eating..)
Step #7: "The town car is outside, Miss"
Step #8: What to Wear... What to Wear....
Step #9: Passive-Aggressive Lion or Last Season's Lamb
Step #10: Membership to the competitive and fabulous fashion week

I'm not going to go into details because I think everyone should read this, it's pure gold!

I've been thinking a lot about street style lately... Sometimes I do have the confidence to walk up to random people and be like "Heya, can I take a pic of you?!" (For my blog, not my personal scrapbook collection :P) Other times I'm such a eejit like "OMG NOO I can't do THAT!!" .. But tomorrow I think I will. At my break at lunch I'm going to head down to Kelly's (formerly known as the Living Room) and check out their designer sale, see what kind of funky people I can find. It'll be like a test to myself :)
Oh we'll see!!

Well my sweetums, good night and sleep well
XOXO
Freaky Smudge

Best Buys #2

Fellow bloggers, faithful readers, and Mom,
I could spend like the next couple mins saying sorry for not posting but I've been sick and busy and it happens so I'm going to post daily til the 6th (Sunday!) and we'll call it even ya?!
I bet some of uuz are delighted, haha! :)

Well I haven't done a Best Buy in ages so here's part 2! I've raided my wardrobe and here's some of my much-loved pieces that aren't in the wash or residing in the houses of my friends that swore it was just a borrow :P
Let's start out small with the bits and bobs! To the right; I got this stunning little necklace, that goes with everything, in H&M (Brussels). I think it was only about €14.99 - neon pink triangles with little silver beads. A small thing but it goes a long way. I like to wear this with a long black dress / blue pendulum top/ nice to add to a plain tank top or something, glam's things up a tad.

 Me and this bag have seen a lot of good times together! This is the bag I bring with me when I don't want a lot to carry, the bag I take on holidays, and nights out :) I bought this little cross over number for, I recall, €10 at Public Romance on Lower Abbeygate Street, Galway. A lovely vintage and 80's vibed shop. A bag velvet bag, threaded with gold, and topped with little charms.

 Now onto the clothes (sorry they look all wrinkly!). On the left we have this amazing dress from ModCloth.com for $54.99. Leather at the top and galaxy at the bottom :) perfect combo! I have to say that I love the skirt part more so I tend to wear a jumper on top if it's cold out so I can show the bottom off.
On the right, it's Penneys finest! I wore this jacket today and got so many compliments from people :) Army jacket with gold studs on breast and pockets, handy for any occasion!!

Now this dress is something different altogether! I got this from one of my favourite shops and sites - LazyOaf.com. Some really quirky and amazing stuff. This is the Mr & Mrs Repeat dress, and I cannot stress this point enough - GET IT IN SMALL! It's supposed to be baggy and I have to put two belts on mine otherwise the wind will take me :) But it's really cool and I love it! Reduced from £65 to £35, it is most definitely a must buy!!!! 

Well that's all from me tonight everyone! Have a good night my strangers :)

XOXO

Freaky Smudge