When in Doubt...

Hey Smudgers, 

So it's been quite the roller-coaster lately; college is a mess. Anyone in First year Art and Design will punch you if you ever say "so you draw all day?" because we work our asses off and there's no one there to see it! It's great that out of over 800 applicants, 220 of us got in. But we got into the college, no our courses. So while we're all partying together and leaning on one another for support in this whirlwind, we're all enemies. I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think that I mightn't get into Fashion and I'm changing my project for the 4th time! 

Right now Smudgers I'm supposed to be studying but I'm so wiped (between antibiotics and my second round of root canal treatment) that I can't even focus. 

But there has to be a way. I'm one of those people that believe everything happens for a reason and that if you wait for things to happen in your life, you'll never live. I'm going to get up off my ass after this post and work!! 

Think about it, everything around you is made or constructed by someone with a drive and a dream and a little backbone. I'm writing this on my Mac computer, listening to my IPhone - Steve Jobs WORKED! All the artists whose music I'm listening to, from Jimmy Eat World to Lady Gaga to Slipknot - they WORKED! All the clothing websites I've saved to my bookmarks, from Vivienne Westwood to Forever 21 to Drop Dead - they WORKED! 

'A Girl Should be Two things; WHO & WHAT SHE WANTS' - Coco Chanel 

I know I promised the pics of FWs but despite my hours of scanning through all the fashion shows this season, I've lost all the pictures that I loved - I really don't get technology!! I was so angry after I lost the pictures that I went shopping :/ I can't even find the hashtag key on the keyboard; fml....

Halloween is coming up with severe speed (lol tomorrow) and I will be travelling down to Cork city to attend the Freakscene Halloween event in the Savoy Hotel so expect some rocking pictures - it's supposed to be amazing! What are all the Smudgers dressing up as this Halloween?? There's two types of girls at Halloween which I love because you kind of see who is fun and who is the evil slut that just wants to be sexy :P Girls; live a little! I'll be going as a broke student so SUGAR SKULL - Loving all the skull makeup takes with this look; some are so elegant and wicked so here I go! 

Mark your calendars by the way Fashionistas because 'Style in the City 2' is coming back on the 10th of December to Galway and I CANNOT WAIT! If it's anything like last time it will be truly unforgettable and full of fun and yummy cocktails! Another thing to save up for in London is the Alexander McQueen; Savage Beauty exhibition which will take place from March to June/July - I'm going! 

When in doubt, Travel! I live by this rule too much which is why my bank account has seen better days... But I'm currently on a quest to get my friends to got to Paris with me for a few days, I just want to go away to a beautiful city and forget my troubles :) but sadly no one is really tagging along... IF I HAVE TO GO ALONE I WILL (believe!). Every day is a new adventure and a new day to be someone new. Every night the you from yesterday dies and what you wake up with in the mornings is the memories and a little baggage, but you can change everything in a day :)

So I'm going to change today because the me of today is wasting away and there's been no fun had (and no study done either..) So later Smudgers ^_^

XOXO

F.S.

Fashion in Vienna and Prague

Hey Smudgers,

Well college starts next week so yesterday I finished up my job working at XR Marketing :( but the fun doesn't end there as right now I'm on a bus up to Dublin with the crew to go to the annual business rally in The Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield! I learned so much from this job. 

I know people have their reservations about commission based work but honestly, for my age group, I think it's the perfect job; my pay check every week was based on my own hard work and effort, if I was lazy I didn't make money that day but if I worked my ass off I got my recognition. I dealt with rejection on a daily basis and while it sounds like it would tear you down, I built my cobnfidence up by miles and took on an indifferent attitude to those who were rude to me and keep a smile on my face. Commission jobs create amazing work ethic for those who stick with it, and I'd recommend it to any college student for the summer! 

I'm so hungry right now and all I can think of is that amazing lunch we had in the Gaslight Bar (Hotel Meyrick, Galway) at #itwbn. Lovely menu there and right in the heart of the city Gaslight as a lunch Venus. 

Open each day for coffees and scones from 10 and then you can get a delicious meal from 11am to 10pm. Whether your thing is fancy sambos, wraps, soups or big juicy mains for two or a party of more, the friendly staff won't keep you waiting. Ideal location for your mum's next birthday, your brother's engagement bash, or a classy work night out :) 

A hopping House DJ will play your tune while you sip cocktails and nibble on party food on weekends. Or go out with the fam any night of the week at 2 courses for €23 or 3 for €30. 

Always great fun to a unique theme and feel free to join the Gaslight Bar for their next Supper Club on the 26th of September for a "Taste on the Bay" as they conduct a playful fish themed menu to celebrate the Galway International Oyster Festival! Nom! 

Speaking of Festivals, I have recently returned from the FM4 Frequency Festival in St Polzen, Austria ^_^ it was AMAZING; if you like the kinds of Jimmy Eat World, Rudimental, Blink 182, Queens of the Stone Age, and Lily Allen - then this is the festival for you! 

It's mucky I won't lie but fancy pentagon shaped bathrooms await you in the arena (if you don't mind waiting in line), but crazy stalls offering piercings, clothes, temporary tattoos and food fit for rockers are scattered everywhere! This year's theme was outer space so the stages had "We Come In Peace" signs and robotic invaders dotted on boards.

But let's talk fashion; Festival was mostly ripped jeans with boots, statement tank tops, floral backpacks, leather jackets with studs or plaid shirts, and baseball caps :) 

 

Moving away from the festival and down to beautiful Vienna; the Daily wear was very efficient, jeans being an essential part of this. T-shirts and jackets, runners and sensible flats. Lots of v necks actually.... And not a heel in sight! Like everyone was pretty tall anyway but no heels were worn on the Austrain streets. 

And then I got a 4/5 hour bus to Prague aka Praha! Now I didn't plan my trip abroad in the slightest, usually I do something but yolo, so when I hopped into a taxi to the wonderful Art Noveau Palace Hotel and the guy says, "That'll be 480" - I went white until the nice man told me that was like €6 :) so remember that €1 is 27.90 czk and don't be surprised is you get a bill of 1,000!! 

The fashion in Prague is much the same as Vienna but it's more easy to spot the fashion conscience people; they walk with their designer label bags in the streets of the Old Town, there's usually a pair of shades somewhere on their apparel, and they look serious. People on a mission! 

If you need a place to go for lovely food, music and some fun in Prague, I'd suggest going to Caffreys Irish Bar in Old Town - amazing fun, and the hot bartender is actually from Wexford :) I had to laugh at the Irish Car Bomb beer! 

  

Well that's all from me Smudgers, almost at Dublin now! 

XOXO

F.S. 

      

Summer and what's it's cracked up to be

Well Smudgers we all know the hype before, during and after summer; the beach body ready, the intense bronzing sessions, and must-have sun-attracting shades! But for any college student without an unlimited wad of cash, it means plenty of time sitting on your ass or finding a job to support booze filled nights out with the usual suspects (with hopes of meeting some unusually hot strangers). 

We all torture ourselves with those Instagram, tumblr or weheartit pics; you know the ones of fit, boho trending individuals jumping into 5star pools with the sunset reflecting off their pearly white teeth. You want to be them! They're the very image of summer!! So here's a little list of must do's to cope with your minimal budget, limited days off and bipolar weather (especially if you live in Ireland!). 

1. Feed the ducks (it's a bit of good karma for you). My friends loved it!! 

2. Get a job with friends! Even if just just giving out flyers you get to have a laugh and make some $$$ (Ok It's more like $) :) 

3. Go paint balling! It's a fitness workout like no other and your muscles will ache for days but it's a good feeling when your friend has been on your nerves all week and you get to shoot them in the shin! Priceless!

4. Go to the fun fair! If like me it's been a few years why not go! Have a few drinks, eat some candyfloss and ride the rollercoaster that is the teacups :) 

5. Hot yoga. This was on my summer list with my friends and I'd give it a 100/100!! It's fantastic and you can burn hundreds of calories for those of you counting :p Find your inner balance or fall over it's a must! 

6. Camping! All you need is a field, face wipes and some Pringles, this is an easy way to have fun, I got a tent in Lidl for €20 and found an old sleeping bag- sorted! He's mid hashtag! #wilderness 

 

7. Go to a festival; this day next week I will be on a plane to Spain's biggest music festival, Benicassim! If you yourself are going drop me a comment :) This is also why we went camping, in order to prepare ourselves for Beni and all that comes with it. Kasabian, Lily Allen, Jake Bugg, Ellie Goulding and Example are but a few names that will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of FIB with me and my buddies :) 

8. Do something for charity! Whether it's a run, gig or just a few hours of your time, it's nice to help other people out and get your friends involved! I've done loads of voluntary work with my friends and it's honestly been some craic. And when people see you smiling and laughing on the streets they're more likely to stop and listen to what you have to say, or possibly donate a few bob. 

9. Movie night! I know it might be a gorgeous day outside but sometimes I just want to watch a movie; have a Disney movie day, and if you do watch the Aristocats because it's wonderful :) or  have a Die Hard night, which is tomorrow night for me (I know I've seen it like 9 times but it's just so good!) 

10. Go to a media launch or fashion show or some event! Try get yourself on a VIP list or just go somewhere where you can be glam, fancy and rich for a night :) it doesn't matter if you end up in Mc Donald's you'll look hot! I'll be snapping pics at the website launch for Cotton Face Vintage out in Spiddal on Saturday. It will be unforgettable, knowing the amazing Sinead ❤️ Why not come out too! 

Well that's all I've got for you guys right now but stay up to date with Freaky Smudge for your random dose 

XOXO

F.S. 

Life can be short, like me :)

Well the past few days have been a roller-coaster, and I really do feel bad but now I'm back on the bloggers wagon and ready for this!

Oh yes the celebrity I was partying with last Saturday night was none other than the beautiful and talented Miss Derry 2013 - Ashleigh Coyle! <3 Here's a pic with me (cropped out), it's hilarious that I'm actually up to her hip!! 5 months older than me yet a foot taller - love ya Ash x Stunner! https://www.facebook.com/MissDerry2013?fref=ts
For anyone looking to get away for a weekend, or you're visiting Ireland for the giggles, visit Letterkenny, I beg you. It's funny how it's so far away from everything, yet it has everything so you don't have to go anywhere else! Handy enough!

I'm going to do a short little review here now for PhotoBox.ie. I remember a few years ago, chilling with Miss Derry over there, and watching her put together those online photo album things! I always wanted to get one done so last week (or the week) before I was searching online for a good site and I found http://www.photobox.ie, so I went in and clicked on 'Books' and got the 30 pages for 14.95 (euro), did my theme (I would have like to be able to stick my own pictures or own patterns as the theme, but they have a wide selection in their range), then I added in my pics, and TA DAH! Said it would be here on the 10th and it was :) happy outwith my lovely photobook; I was able to put in captions, expand or decrease the size of pics, added in about 55 pictures in total - looks great! The only thing I would say to anyone, and I'm sure this applies to every site - make sure that the pic is in good resolution, few of mine don't look too good (or maybe that's just my face... :/ ).

Fashion, fashion, fashion  - live, sleep, and breathe (cuz no one eats!) fashion <3 This week at GTI has been fun yet busy! I really can't complain; not only am I in a course with a lovely bunch, I'm doing something that I love! Not everyone can say "I've to go design an 8 piece collection tonight and look at magazines" :) I'm lucky and I know it. What's even more great is that I enjoy the work and I can say for sure that this is what I want to do with my life  - THANK YOU GTI!!
This week we had to create a mood board, or inspiration board, for the trends and designers of S/S14! Paris, New York, Milan and London - so many paper-cuts :) Will have to put a pic up for ye all but unfortunately my board is in school for the weekend. We also had to get a skirt type we like, e.g. pencil, flare, etc., and create 8 flat drawings of the skirt and edit them in different ways - now we are going to make one of the eight :P Sounds fun, and it is, but I had to make the most complicated thing I could think of - because I'm just awkward and difficult like that.... My skirt is a pencil that then flares out at the knee (1950's Inspired). My pattern looks like the blueprints of a maze but hopefully, granted I don't make a ruin of it, I'll get high marks for my troubles :)
It's crazy to think that I've only one more week at college, and then I'm on my mid-term break. 6 weeks have gone by since I started this course which is mind-blowing. Like they warned us it would go fast but you really never feel it!

Oh great news! One of my darling friends and I have gotten ourselves (actually our super sound teacher did) work experience in BROWN THOMAS GALWAY, helping at the window display! For all of you not from Galway, this window display is THE window :) Everyone knows that once the BT's Christmas window display comes up, Christmas is here! I'm actually so chuffed to be apart of the experience, it's a huge deal and massive honor!
Galway at Christmas time is my favourite place to be! The lights go on all around the city, window displays go up, everyone is happy, the Christmas Market comes to town and all the stalls smell like Christmas! The Christmas Market is great; people from all over the world pay a butt load to have a stall at the Market, and then all these tourists come and there's loads going on all the time.
I think I'm very fortunate to live in Galway, and be from Galway; the City of Tribes, the City of Festivals - you'll hardly ever get bored here because there's always something: the Arts Festival, the Film Feadh, the Oyster Festival, Christmas Market, the Comedy Festival, the Galway Races, and sooooooo much more!

Anyways I think that's all I have for ye! Please please PLEASE  give the page a like guys, would really be nice :) https://www.facebook.com/freakysmudgeishere AND AND AND I'm on Twitter https://twitter.com/FreakySmudge :) Bad news, Instagram is off my to-do list because I can;t get it on my new phone... Did anyone even know there was an Instagram???
Laters,
XOXO
Freaky Smudge

Woke up this morning (na-na na-na)...

Happy Friday everyone, hope it was a good one!
Some of you crazy wildcats may be out partying tonight (envy over here), but no! I'm babysitting one of the CUTEST little creature I've ever seen, and staying put for the weekend :) I'm actually posting this from a really weird computer... Alienware anyone??

Anyways, let's talk about sex,
but before that, let's talk about fashion (haha inside my head joke!)

Today at Claddagh House fashion students were messing around with our recycled garments. I do have a picture on my phone of me ripping the netting off a flower girl dress I wore when I was about 12 but I've no idea how to post to this machine :P For my project I want something inspired by my two favourite eras - the 1920s and 1950s! So I went thrift shopping (ugh hipster) and found this really cool black beaded top with a 20s vibe in the G.S.P.C.A (Animal Cruelty) shop on St Augustine Street a few weeks ago.
I love lace and netting, call me crazy but I love em!! So while brainstorming I remembered that we had this old flower dress in my attic that we had been trying to get rid of a few months ago - thank God we didn't! Now it's a major piece in my project :) Still such a long way to go but it's so much fun.

We are also trying to sort out our work experience. As part of our coursework we have to do 10 consecutive Mondays of work experience (no classes on Mondays :P ) or we have to sort it out over the mid-term. Has to be done by January definitely, but the hard truth is - no one wants me! I know that I'm aiming too high by emailing Irish designers that are mainly looking for interns, but I want to work in a studio so bad! Or I was thinking a fashion magazine.... If there was a Vogue Ireland I would be sorted :/

But enough about me, more about you? :)
Well I can't really say much else for my day! I actually really wanted to post some pics of the tattoos I hope to get when I'm 18 (fashion inspired so it's relative!). I'll leave ye guys with a quote from the amazing Alexander McQueen, if I'm ever uninspired or down this actually makes me feel better, no word of a lie!

"Give me time and I'll give you a revolution"

I hope some day I can fulfil the same promise <3
(corny go leor!)

Later
XOXO
Freaky Smudge