Opulence

Howdy Smudgers, 

Well it's been a life on the go without an exit route for the past couple of weeks but I wouldn't have it any other way! Well unless that other way included a complimentary vehicle because public transport can be a bitch of an expense :P

We all have that song that wakes us up in the mornings or we find ourselves singing along in our mirrors to, and mine has to be 'Opulence' by Brooke Candy. 

[op-yuh-luh ns] 

noun

1.

wealth, riches, or affluence.

2.

abundance, as of resources or goods; plenty.

3.    the state of being opulent.









































                 

























            

Opulence is the word used to describe the type of lifestyle enjoyed by the aristocrats and monarchs before the French Revolution. And let's face it Smudgers, when we see the likes of the Kardashians and any other hot shot celeb that can spend money like toilet paper, while we hold up an entire queue at Costa just looking for change, we want Opulence. And we want it NOW! 

















































































































 

Opulence was the theme at this years London FW A/W 15 <3 So today I've decided to dress like I'm already famous! 

I'll post a pic to Instagram in a little bit, seeing as I'm writing this on a bus with 3% battery life :) But my beautiful black ballgown skirt is from Coast, my lace black high neck crop top is from H&M, and this mohair pink cardy I'm sporting is something I borrowed... without permission... and the owner will never know.... unless she sees my snapchat.... :/

As Brooke Candy's lyrics go; 

I'm a grown queen, doing grown things    Tryna find my hand underneath the gold rings     Make you get in line    Better recognize opulence,     I own everything baby

So with my pair of Vintage sunnies from Public Romance, today I owe everything! :) Though mind you I feel less than opulent stuffing my face! Instagram (https://instagram.com/emmyjayne5/) 

Now it's a lot easier to write that I'm finally home with a glass of wine :P 

So how can we become opulent and just fecking fantastic! Well I devised a list of things that stereotypically all celebs do! 

1. Wear $$$$ CLOTHES!!  Freaky Solution-> Ladies (and lads), all you need is an oversized pair of sunnies and some black clothes in your wardrobe! (remember, if you're good at lying, anything can be Chanel... well nothing Primark can!)

2. They down bottles of 'goose' :) Freaky Solution -> It's no goose but I cannot recommend enough the €3.99 Baron wine from Aidl. You're more likely to feel ever so opulent after the 2nd bottle.

3. They can afford high class coke... Freaky Solution -> if you find yourself off to Aidl for that wine then you probably can't afford the coke fund, BUT POWDERED DOUGHNUTS! (I'll never tell ;) ) Though that solution clashes hard with my next one..

4. They have rocking bodies.  Freaky Solution -> well I hear some people are working out and eating healthy but for us on (route to) the Opulent lifestyle we can just.. inhale all our nutrients from air... and stand outside the gym for a few hours, until you're satisfied a reasonable number of people have seen you! 

5. Celebs PARTY HARD** Freaky Solution -> Now I'm a true believer that life's an adventure and most nights for me don't start until after 4am and there's a trolley involved (sometimes... all the time) but go out and talk to some strangers Smudgers! Just don't be stupid... ;) Don't be afraid to take risks but take the right ones and common sense should help you there. 

6. They're groomed to perfection- Freaky Solution -> get yourselves on those living social/ groupon/ deal pages and you can get some unreal treatments for a third of the price :) or go on to youtube and D.I.Y. the crap out of yourself! 

7. Big Accounts = Big Houses & Cars $ Freaky Solution -> no one cares like do you really care about the size of Paris Hilton's bathroom or if Justin Bieber's jeep takes petrol or diesel!? It's exactly like when guys put up pictures of their cars on social networks like Tinder, because I'm only swiping right if you've renewed your tax... :P 

I've actually ran out of things, can't believe it ... but listen Smudgers, these people may gleam and glisten but their actions and personality speaks volumes just like yours! 

So go out into this Freaky world with all it's deep hunger and insane fascinations, and shine <3 

**If this post was a drinking game for every time I said opulence you would all be so drunk :)**

Well there's a little pic of me posing on Insta there so get following!!! :) Oh and for those in the Galway region of the world I am making two outfits for this year's Galway Technical Institute Annual Fashion Show ^_^ so hope to see some Smudgers there

Later Smudgers, stay shining 

XOXO

F.S.

Tonight!!

Tis the season to be jolly (and for nice things) ;) Merry Christmas Smudgers! 

It's a wonderful time of the year; there's the Christmas markets (Continental one in Galway), lights and ornaments go up all around the city, and the spectacular window displays in Brown Thomas (Galway, Limerick, Cork and Dublin) go up. And they are beautiful! 

What makes your Christmas Smudgers?? 🎄

I know that a lot of colleges and universities were hosting Christmas dinners on campus over the past month, and in little ole LSAD there was a yummy Turkey going around. However, nothing could have been as good as the chicken and mash me and my friends made last night! :) this is something I think everyone should do; get a group of friends, throw on a set amount of bean each, head to aidl (that €3.99 Baron wine is divine!) and cook with the aid of Christmas tunes! 🎊 not only was it great fun but everyone was helping out - we had carrot peelers, potato peelers, chicken stuffers, and me on wine supervision and desert - my gluten free Red Velvet cake and gluten free Nutella cupcakes didn't turn out half bad! Call me Freaky Crocker ^_^ 

Now onto more serious stuff; last post I was on my way to the Neostrata event on the House Hotel, Galway, where I was pampered with hand peel, told extensively about the Neostrata products and who they cater to, and got some goodies! Let me tell you folks, its brill! ! Using the Neostrata Refine products since the event now, and my makeup stays on longer and feels lighter :) Of course, because my skin is insanely sensitive, I did get a few blemishes due to the change of my daily facial routine but it's all good now. So go get yourself a tester if you feel like your cleanser isn't doing exactly what it says on the tin or you're just in need of a boost! 

Life never stops going! Tonight, if you didn't get my tweet (@FreakySmudge), is not only the second Style in the City event, but also the Into the West Blogger Network Christmas Party :) I'm so excited!! Style in the City will be starting at around 7 with a fashion stalls and a fashion show at half 7. Taking place again in the Stock Exchange on Shop Street, Galway. There's no way to miss it as I can imagine there will be a massive queue of people outside! The event tonight is in aid of two charities, Jigsaw Galway & the Brothers of Charity, in association with Aidan Judge Stylist, Cotton Face, BecBoop.ie and the Stock Exchange Bar. 

Thee will be pictures so make sure to check out my Facebook page and Tweety account! If any Smudgers find themselves in Galway tonight then you know the only place to be is at Style in the City :) Can't wait to see the itwbn crowd again - it's been too long 💝 

Later Smudgers- Freaky's got to get her face on! 

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.

No Sugar In My Coffee Makes Me Mean

Well my dearies how has your weekends been???
Well on Friday night I went for a girly night with my two friends - down to Kelly's for a few cocktails :) Try the Pink Lady if you like something sweet! Or my friend got a Strawberry Daquiri and my Oh My that's good :) Here's a pic of it with my Mojito. Along with the live bands playing I gotta say it was a great night!!!

Last night I went to my friends 18th party and I'm a little rough around the edges today.... It's like someone got pliers on my temples :( But what a great night! I much prefer house parties with friends than going out because it's so much more relaxed with the people you know, you can dance like an eejit and instead of randomers in a club giving you dirty looks, your friends can take videos and put them online :)

So hope you all liked my interview with Natalie Coleman :) I was able to use it for my Irish Designer Assignment in college! But now that that's done a new project has been shoved my way - my Historical Designer Assignment (the work load never ends!). This is all part of the Art Appreciation Module of the FETAC level 5 Fashion Design course. I have to say that I actually feel more prepared for this one because I already know who I'm doing and have loads of info on them :)
Charles James - America's first Courtier - if you don't know him, look him up! And if you love evening wear, like me, look him up now!

Cristobal Balenciaga - “the world’s best and only dressmaker.”

 1954 Swan Gown by Charles James 

Charles James born 18 July 1906 in England. In 1924,  his parents pack him off to Chicago, his mother’s hometown, where he began to pursue a career in fashion. At the age of nineteen in 1926, he opened his first hat shop with the support of his mother’s friends, using the name of a school friend, 'Charles Boucheron'. 

In 1928 he left Chicago for Long Island and set up a studio in Southampton. He later transferred his workshop to the Murray Hill area of Queens, New York.

James divided his time between the U.S., England, and France, creating both models for reproduction and custom pieces for high-society clients. In 1937 he made his formal Paris haute couture debut with a collection that included pieces crafted from vintage silk grosgrain millinery ribbon. In 1953, he received the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award for his Empire of fashion couture. 

On the 23rd of September, 1978, Charles James died alone and penniless in the Chelsea Hotel, NYC. 

A little history lesson from Freaky! :)

XOXO

Freaky Smudge 

The Man of my Dreams

Family is very important to all of us, I like to think.
Like when Family says, "This is the last pub, I swear!" or "We're definitely going after this round!", you tend to believe them. Give them the benefit of the doubt, and unwillingly go along with the situation.
What a lying shower of  #!+@""... (deep breaths and count back from 10) .. liars :(

So this weekend I'm chilling with my Freaky Family in Letterkenny, Donegal - For anyone reading this from Donegal, or better yet Letterkenny; Ye are mental people altogether, and I love ye for it :)
So last night, after I got all freshened up in black skinny jeans (Penneys), a white top (Penneys), and sleeveless V-neck white blouse (PENNEYS), I went down to The Brewery for what I initially thought was a meal and a quiet few. I got my meal, Cajun Chicken Burger (Nom!), but a quiet few turned into a few too many :) So I somehow ended up at Voodoo (or is it VOODOO), and I have to say I met the man of my dreams! Or more like the pensioner of my dreams! Yes, I get all the weirdos, a man older than my father and looked older than my grandfather... A Silver Fox if you will! It definitely set the amusement for the night, and now suddenly I've to marry him, divide the land, then get him to go off with a tramp so I can leave him..- all before the wedding night.. He must have a grand bit of land - but you'll never find me there, I can't even keep a plant alive let alone a flock of sheep!
CITY GIRL 4 LIFE - COCKTAILS + PARTIES + FRIENDS + SHOPS = CIVILIZATION
But I have a feeling that it won't work out since I later saw two bouncers hall the poor guy outta there later on in the night :/ My poor huni! And no, I will not be nursing him back to health!

Anyways tonight the party continues - celebrating the 40th birthday of triplets :) This will be a mad one! And I will be with a celebrity ... I was with her last night actually but I'm going to drag her into a picture so I can prove it to you all :)

Here's a picture from my drive up from Galway to Donegal, beautiful isn't it! Well I really gotta run! Gonna do some shopping and take a shower before tonight, all my love!
XOXO
Freaky Smudge