StyleByNumbers

After all these years…

laurendare — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:43:22 +0000

Leather!

Chris and I celebrated our 3 yr wedding anniversary at the end of October, which happens to be the leather anniversary. I got the wonderful 14″ yellow satchel from Cambridge Satchels I hinted at earlier (thanks again to WIW for introducing these fantastic bags)

This bag is excellently constructed, bright and cheery, and big enough to hold all my unnecessary essentials (and it still has that great new-leather smell). Best of all, it has my initials embossed on it. This is the first item I’ve gotten with my new post-marital initials (I’m pretty proud of that D!)

Thank you!

Shades of Citrine (via Etsy Storque)

laurendare — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:52:04 +0000

Etsy just pulled together a great collection of all things Citrine for November babies like me! What a handy gift guide.

This month we celebrate the autumnal hues of citrine, November’s birthstone. Buying a citrine-inspired item is a thoughtful gift for new babies and November birthdays, or an energizing burst of color for your fall wardrobe. (via The Storque: Etsy’s Handmade Blog)

I think this little antique bracelet would make a fine gift, don’t you?

Art Deco Filigree Bracelet with Topaz Colored Czech Glass Stone – Orange Enameling – CIRCA 1930

$125 at Nouveau Motley on Etsy

Up and Away

laurendare — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:35:48 +0000

I don’t really like wearing jeans any more, but a laid back Sunday spent at the cinema and running errands calls for comfort. It was actually I really nice day today (no rain!). The hubby and I headed into town early today and enjoyed a coffee while strolling through the empty streets (such a delight!) before catching Up in 3D. I cried so much, it is definitely one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time (and a tearjerker!)

Navy Peacoat: Bitten ♥ Striped Scarf: Tottenham Merch Shop ♥ ‘D’ pin: Gap ♥ Belt: Dunnes ♥ Red Sweater: H&M ♥ Floral Top: Thrifted, Enable Ireland Grafton Street ♥ Jeans: Express ♥ Shoes: Marks & Spencer ♥ Yellow Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company

This outfit accomplished three things: a) comfort and layers for the movie theatre, b) bright colours for a bright day, c) big bag for carrying movie related essentials like 3D glasses and tons of tissues! Here’s a warmer-weather version of it.

Roadtrip Recap

laurendare — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:03:56 +0000

You read what I planned to wear on my wardrobe, and here’s the recap. Thanks to some torrential downpours, insane allergies and a less-than-enthusiastic photographer husband, I didn’t get the best outfit shots. I really liked all the outfits I wore, so I’ll probably wear them again and will get more detail shots later. (Day 4 was an obvious photo framing fail!)

Day 1: Shirt, Penneys ♥ Dress, Lux/Urban Outfitters ♥ Belt: Tesco // Day 2: Sweater, Penneys ♥ Jeans, Penneys ♥ Shoes, Rocket Dog // Day 3: Dress, Dublin Flea Market (€6) ♥ Sweater, Jacob ♥ Shoes, Aldo // Day 4: Shirt, Gap ♥ Skirt: H&M ♥ Boots: Justin ♥ Tights: Penneys

Ethical Fashion Event

laurendare — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:10:05 +0000

Re-dress Presents:

Fashion Evolution – An Revolution of Consciousness

Wednesday November 11 @ 7pm

Exchequer Bar, Dublin

RSVP via Facebook

A first in monthly series of events to reconnect people in the fashion industry and consumers interested in ethical fashion. This month, Katie Dalton will present her thesis on ecological fashion Towards a Theory of Fashion Evolution – A Revolution of Consciousness: the Possibility of Ecological Activism in the High-End Sector.

I’m going to try to attend if I get out of my ballet class in time. If anyone else is planning on going, let me know!

For more info check out Re-Dress for more awesome events and ethical fashion news (I highly recommend Crafternoon Tea)

EDIT: Event now upstairs in the Stags Head

Water Colours

laurendare — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:19:23 +0000

I’ve neglected to mention I finally got the gorgeous Water Colour Dress from lovely Etsy seller Must Luv Vintage. After just posting my I Heart Vintage manifesto, I figured it was as good a time as any to show off the dress.

♥ Vintage Dress, Must Luv Vintage on Etsy $22 ♥ Belt, Penneys €4 ♥ Bag, Tesco (with added anchor applique) €7 ♥ Shoes, Schu €50 ♥ Jade Bracelet, Family Heirloom ♥

Photos take at my favourite place for a stylish spa break, Bellinter House

I Heart Vintage

laurendare — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:54:11 +0000

For her latest giveaway (an impressive $100 gift cert to LA Vintage), the Clothes Horse asks why do you love vintage.

80s Dress $57

There’s lots of reasons that vintage appeals to me, and none of the reasons are terribly original. I have a highly developed sense of notstalgia and enjoy thinking about who wore my dress and how it’s travelled the globe to get from wherever it was purchased decades ago to my hangers in Dublin. I’ve always loved old movies, so my early style icons were classic beauties like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and (my namesake) Lauren Bacall.

70s Dress $53

I like to look original and hate bumping into people with the same outfit on. I don’t want to wear the black trousers/button-up shirt uniform to work, but at the same time I don’t like looking too vintage-y or costume-y. I love the thrill of the hunt and am mostly drawn towards timeless pieces that I can mix with wardrobe staples already in my closet. I love to keep people guessing about where I get my clothes, how often I shop and how much money I spend on my duds–nothing is better than gettting loads of praise on something you scored on the cheap.

70s Dress $55

Vintage clothes also suit me, at least certain styles do more than modern clothes. Blessed with dainty shoulders and not so dainty hips, I like dresses that flair out from the waist. Lots of homespun or 60s/70s poly numbers have elasticated waists that make it really easy to fit (especially when buying online).

60s Cape $67

So, what should I buy from LA Vintage? Dresses. Dresses. Dresses.

And hopefully this great cape!

Style for Less: Orla Kiely Duffle Coat

laurendare — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:11:16 +0000

Loving the sweet, whimsical Orla Kiely AW09 collection, but don’t want to take out a loan for a new coat? Here’s how you can score the same style for much much less.

The Yellow Duffle Coat

A must for brightening up those dull winter days.

Retro, girlie and perfect for puddle jumping.

Orla Kiely Yellow Duffle Coat £398

Tesco Yellow Duffle Coat £30

Road Trip Day 4: Donegal

laurendare — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:43:43 +0000

Donegal Day

Find out more about my Donegal Day outfit

Our last day takes us through Donegal. We’ll meet up with friends for brunch, so I want to look dressy yet warm and comfortable for the long drive back to Dublin. A tailored shirt with a bow collar and pencil skirt will look lovely and a wool skirt skirt, cap and tights will keep me toasty. Vintage-y jewelry will give the outfit some romance. It’s the wedding of a fellow Texan, so I want to rock my cowboy boots!

Road Trip Day 3: Wedding

laurendare — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:28:13 +0000

Wedding Day 3

Find out more about my Wedding outfit

Our road trip is partly to celebrate our marriage and partly to celebrate the new marriage of some friends. I’ll be seeing lots of friends from grad school that I haven’t seen in 4 years, so I want to stand out in a bright colour. I’ve really been loving the one-shoulder ruffle look lately. I found a fantastic dress for €6 at the Dublin flea market last weekend that made me completely change my wedding wardrobe plans. This dress speaks for itself, so I’ll keep the accessories limited to studs, a great statement bracelet and a bold hairpiece. I’m very old fashioned about showing my shoulders in church, so I’ll take a black wrap to match my black peep-toes and clutch.