tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59095428231654287292024-03-12T23:47:59.646-07:00Wide-Eyed and BlindWide-Eyed and Blind is run by Colette Fitzpatrick, an Irish fashion and beauty blogger based in Dublin with a great love of design. Shortlisted for multiple awards, she works with various brands and aims to document the subcultures of Dublin. Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.comBlogger761125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-46327105202725372792019-09-22T07:14:00.000-07:002019-09-22T07:14:16.896-07:00Fashion Week Tea From London Fashion Week SS20It's day one of London Fashion Week SS20 (Spring/Summer 2020) and, on a foot with a potentially broken baby toe (I fell down a stairs the night before in my friend's apartment as it was incredibly dark and the stairwell is next to a very narrow landing), I rush in for my first show of the season. I somehow make it with fifteen minutes to spare – an eternity in the fashion world where things nearly always run late – and join the dishearteningly long queue but I don't think about it too deeply, as surely they know best about how many people to invite? Wrong. They, in fact, do no know best, as we quickly realise when the one, very small and sweet and polite young woman being sent to man the ever-growing queue tells the majority of us that the show is at capacity and none of the rest of us will be getting in. Unwilling to observe people with egos berate this lovely woman who is only doing her job, I immediately duck out of the queue and into a nearby cafe for a nice breakfast. What's the point in being annoyed? It's not going to change anything and it's just fashion, it's not that serious. Lining my stomach with delicious food will make things infinitely better.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Models at the Nensi Dojaka SS20 presentation.</td></tr>
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Next, I hit up a presentation in which models in very cool and daring lingerie-inspired dresses wander the room, selfie-sticks in hand, looking listless and generally reflecting a message of caution towards contemporary behaviours and attitudes in a digital era. One of the models carries bundles of printouts of photos of another model that are spewing from a printer in the corner. I register this peripherally as I am at work trying to get “the shots”, on a time crunch. I do not register the model approach me, something that I have never experienced at a presentation before (A/N: presentations are an alternative to fashion shows in which models are dressed in the collection and allowed to roam a space for several hours, either simply posing or acting in some way to adhere to the theme of a collection). She comes at me with a print-out and I gasp-scream before chuckling in embarrassment (no one makes eye contact or laughs with me, despite the fact that I am surrounded by other attendees of the presentation) and meekly accepting the page. The model, God bless her, is a complete professional and doesn't even blink in surprise, continuing on her merry way. Thankfully, I have an out as I need to get to another show, so I scamper away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gayeon Lee SS20.</td></tr>
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At said other show, I have trouble finding my seat, which is odd, as there are finite, labelled options of seats and I can read. I go back and forth along the row of seats before asking for help. The sincere and lovely young attendant that I ask, however, quickly proves to not be very good at her job. She is as lost as I. On an amusing note, when she gets her hands on an i-Pad to look up the seating arrangement, I notice that I am listed in the database with a picture of the television broadcaster by the same name.I fail to get a photo of this but it makes me laugh and I wish I had. (They must have just googled my name and not looked into it to make sure they had the right Colette Fitzpatrick?) Eventually, it becomes apparent that someone has stolen my seat. Another attendant, who is much more on top of things, tells me to do the same so I squeeze in between two people and ensure I get my hands on a giftbag – look, I was given a front row ticket and there was a damned cute hat in the bag, I was simply getting what I was promised.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd97RLBqUxnC-OBtSA-rVzHIbk9TSLa_FnBNeWAY1T-r_4B98ncykySzXn3ffIwmOY1hFHYZ4P5quwKVSCa2fAAJMrIa5Cd0IMs4emqYHUQhY36vUFzQQYvl-IvXfyDueUu7kpcfKvbA/s1600/P1040153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd97RLBqUxnC-OBtSA-rVzHIbk9TSLa_FnBNeWAY1T-r_4B98ncykySzXn3ffIwmOY1hFHYZ4P5quwKVSCa2fAAJMrIa5Cd0IMs4emqYHUQhY36vUFzQQYvl-IvXfyDueUu7kpcfKvbA/s640/P1040153.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharon Wauchob SS20.</td></tr>
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Upon leaving the show, I make my way to Foyle's, the famous London bookstore, for my next show. I try, and fail, to resist the temptation of being in a bookshop and buy three books to add to the stack of books in my room that I have yet to read. When I get to the show itself I am immediately surprised by the increase in the number of people with zero fashion week etiquette, including professionals. It's always been an issue that bloggers, students, and randos invited along don't get the etiquette. They don't seem to grasp that everyone is there trying to get their shot, that a lot of the people are there to work, and that they need to get that shot in order to get paid. I see lots of people hogging prime spots to have a chat, which is simply rude. The etiquette, as I've observed it, is to wait your turn, get your shot as quickly as possible and then to step aside for the next person to do the same. The number of people ignoring, or ignorant to, this, seems to have increased exponentially since last season. I also observe similarly rude behaviour among the photographers this season, which is surprising. They're normally the very people that you can count on to get it! I don't know if it's because the market is so saturated and getting “the shot” makes it easier for you to sell your images over another photographer or if there are just more photographers that are very green getting involved but it was sad (and very frustrating) to witness. Irritated as I am, I leave once I've seen everything once, even though the usual bonus of a presentation is being able to carefully take in pieces and all their details. Rudeness is my Kryptonite so I have to split before I get so huffy (because, of course, I won't actually <i>say</i> anything), I knock myself out from a lack of oxygen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark & Berry rings.</td></tr>
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On the second day of London Fashion Week, my true love gave to me...sorry, no, wrong song, different tune. But I do get a free ear piercing at <a href="https://larkandberry.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lark & Berry</a>, which is pretty good. Some fashion week glamour rearing it's expertly groomed and styled head. The brand is really interesting, using cultured diamonds and gems (i.e. Lab-grown, did you know that was a thing? I didn't) and maintaining incredible transparency about their practices. Their gold is ethically sourced, too, and they plant five trees for every piece sold. They also treat me kindly, even though I'm aware (as fashion week consistently reminds me), that I'm a nobody in the industry (that's fine, I'm a somebody in my free time so I can't cope with a little bit of ego-testing). At the very next thing I go to, however, I'm booted from my seat in the frow when a more important person arrives late. I'm not the only one it happens to and I don't take it personally but it stings a little. The collection is v good though, I just wish I asked the name of the girl I was chatting to before being escorted to my new (much less good) seat as it's rare enough to talk to someone nice at fashion week, someone who isn't trying to figure out if you're important enough to waste their time on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIc1UZgG9FtSOTSejXBVQchOGBzGFd_MFQ4mdi4Tj3MQNnzpTpyGnvKER05glf29oah0WO2MbCmtJCHaR2cZPt-t3ANho0Pg1QWsphykNGF9B4rzP8C-jxdmPH1kw138KbnYLW4z7SBaU/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIc1UZgG9FtSOTSejXBVQchOGBzGFd_MFQ4mdi4Tj3MQNnzpTpyGnvKER05glf29oah0WO2MbCmtJCHaR2cZPt-t3ANho0Pg1QWsphykNGF9B4rzP8C-jxdmPH1kw138KbnYLW4z7SBaU/s640/IMG_5375.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riona Treacy SS20.</td></tr>
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The middle section of day two flattens and, aside from the <a href="https://rionatreacy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Riona Treacy</a> presentation, nothing is especially memorable. Fashion week is one long clamour of thousands of voices to be seen and heard and, unfortunately, not everyone can be. It's an exhausting energy to be around and makes me feel sad for people who place too much of their self-worth in it all. I also manage to go to the wrong show when I'm pointed the wrong way but manage to figure it out at the last minute and grab my seat. This time I'm not kicked out of the front row and the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisnorthat/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THISNORTHAT</a> collection is a wonderfully cool palate-cleanser after a rather forgettable afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WugcxC7tdINRRLMpT0SPyu9FpwJ8L8tMW7qZeqZmRkjZeqDrE1h0gzjtn4xdm0X3d4dBKiE5NizggHrgvee99ncxd0zFKQmpbEhqeCVRca7AE9fLsVlppLLgH1hNUuuXAbRFthvRCms/s1600/094501F4-3C83-493C-8673-AA92BF5B616C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WugcxC7tdINRRLMpT0SPyu9FpwJ8L8tMW7qZeqZmRkjZeqDrE1h0gzjtn4xdm0X3d4dBKiE5NizggHrgvee99ncxd0zFKQmpbEhqeCVRca7AE9fLsVlppLLgH1hNUuuXAbRFthvRCms/s640/094501F4-3C83-493C-8673-AA92BF5B616C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simone Rocha SS20</td></tr>
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Summer returns in full force for day three and I am forced to abandon the outfit of lace and velvet that I had packed specially for the <a href="https://simonerocha.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Simone Rocha</a> show. I battle through the hot underground and am glad I chose to change; when you're a regular pleb, there is too much use of public transport to allow for the perfectly turned-out looks of street style fame. The first show of the day is another that I don't find especially noteworthy, something that increasingly weighs on my mind as it feels more and more important not to put our planet under the burden of making things that aren't necessary or extraordinary. There is no longer room for that which is just "okay". The mad schlep out to Alexandra Palace for the Simone Rocha show exemplifies this. These are clothes that <i>needed</i> to be born. These clothes make the world sparkly and magic. These clothes are works of art that were well-worth the panicked combo of tube-train-bus and hour-and-a-half-commute-that-many-of-us-thought-left-us-with-plenty-of-time. We were wrong. More fashion week sweating ensued. But, as I say, it is worth it. I quiver with excitement throughout the whole show. Afterwards, <a href="https://galwaynow.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Galway Now</a>'s very own Blathnait, who I haven't met again since a brief encounter years ago and not since beginning working with the magazine, and I finally reunite. We bump in Sinead Burke and, somehow, we end up talking about Peig Sayers on acid. The meeting and the show leave me buzzing so much that the next, once again, somewhat underwhelming show doesn't stop me from having trouble falling asleep for all of the ideas racing around in my well-stimulated brain.<br />
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Finally, I finish with the <a href="https://www.paulcostelloe.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paul Costelloe</a> show, as is often the case for me, sadly missing <a href="http://katieannmcguigan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Katie Ann McGuigan</a> and <a href="https://colin-horgan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colin Horgan</a>'s shows as I don't plan to stay for the Tuesday. It's a fashion week rule: if you stay the extra day, nothing is on. If you leave, you miss something exciting. Thankfully, though, Paul is a great note to end things on. The collection is joyous and, of course, at the show teeming with fellow Irish folks, there is no shortage of kindness. I actually manage to miss my show at half eleven but there is another at twelve and the attendants all wave it off as nothing, assuring me they'll squeeze me in. They do just that and though the party vibes and social atmosphere border on rude at times (lack of that etiquette again; three ladies chatting on the runway had to be told to sit down after the lights dimmed and music cut out and everyone else cleared the way), I can't help be glad of the guaranteed kindness of this show to ensure fashion week always ends on a very positive note for me. In this case, there is no more tea to be spilled, and, sure, isn't that as well? Tea is to be savoured, with good people, not wasted.<br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideeyedandblind/" target="_blank">To keep up-to-date with me, follow me over on Instagram. </a></span><br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-35302101775711735752019-09-06T10:30:00.002-07:002019-09-06T10:30:49.284-07:005 Minimal Waste Cruelty-Free Irish Beauty Products That I'm Loving Right Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I mentioned a while back, I have had a wild ride of utterly reevaluating consumption, blogging, and my personal responsibility to the environment. Stepping back and really looking at how I'd been going about things and taking stock for a moment made me realise that beauty blogging and fashion blogging, in the traditional sense that I had grown used to, were no longer possible for me. </div>
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Basically, I stopped shopping except when necessary, shopped the stash of untouched products that had piled up in my house instead of going out for anything when possible, and made sure that I bought only sustainable, minimal waste items when I did need to get something. I replaced my toothbrush (once it was at the end of its life) with a wooden brush (three times by now), stopped buying traditional toothpaste (those tubes are not at all recyclable), switched to a reusable razor for shaving, and slowly changed everything that was on my bathroom shelf.</div>
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The biggest change, though, was simply not buying things. And this meant that I no longer had things to review all the time. Ergo, no real beauty posts for months beyond the less glamorous and more practical articles I have written about the experience of switching to more sustainable basic grooming options. Until today, when, after around half a year, I have finally accumulated five (the necessary minimum number for any listicle worth it's salt, obvs) beauty products worth talking about. All are cruelty-free (a pre-existing stance when it comes to products that I have maintained for years now), all are Irish (to reduce my carbon footprint and air miles), and all are made of either entirely, or almost entirely, recyclable materials. I still prefer refillable products when possible (brands, can you get on this?!) but these guys are the next best thing given the market we're in. Here are 5 Minimal Waste Cruelty-Free Irish Beauty Products That I'm Loving Right Now...</div>
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1. We Are Paradoxx Hangover Hair Elixir, 75ml, RRP €35.00</div>
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Look, I won't lie, this guy is pricey and I was totes initially suckered in by the packaging. That being said, I swear by hair oils and this is one of the better ones that I have tried. As someone who cannot go a day without washing their hair, I need the extra moisture and not only does this deliver that, but it also leaves a nice glossy finish and a lovely warm and sweet scent. It is also: "Clean, 100% toxin-free, organic + natural extracts, vegan, 90% plastic-free, paraben, perfume free, cruelty-free, ethical + sustainable, gluten-free, synthetic fragrance-free, eco-friendly, mineral oil-free, SLES + SLS free." And, as they note on the packaging, a little really does go a loooong way. Plus, come on, that's some damn cute packaging! Although I've gotten a few weird looks at the gym for pulling out what looks like a hip flask in the changing rooms...</div>
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<a href="https://www.mungomurphyseaweed.com/home-living/nourishing-seaweed-mask" target="_blank">2. Mungo Murphy's Nourishing Seaweed Mask, 20g (approx 5 uses), RRP €10.60</a></div>
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Admittedly, with this bad boy and it being a face mask, I haven't used it for the consistent two month minimum required before I normally talk about skincare. However, it's great! It calms the skin (and mine is currently super cross and covered in hormonal breakouts in the chin region), balances it out, moisturises, and leaves your face feeling soft and springy. Made from powdered seaweed, it comes in a small jar (no plastic in sight) and you take one teaspoon of it and add either add one teaspoon of water, natural yoghurt, or honey. I recommend honey for the consistency (water makes it very watery indeed) and to improve the experience as, I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't smell pleasant when you have it on but, if you get a little in your mouth (as I am prone to do) when it's mixed with honey it doesn't taste half bad, which makes the whole thing less unpleasant. </div>
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<a href="https://cloonkeen.com/antique-library-perfumed-candle.html" target="_blank">3. Cloon Keen Perfumed Candle in Antique Library, 55-60 hours burn time, RRP €40.00</a></div>
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I actually met the Cloon Keen gang in their Galway store at an event a few years ago and got this candle as a press sample and fell in love with the warm, spicy, masculine scent. That candle was quickly used long, long ago and I decided to buy it again a few weeks ago as it had been over a year since I'd bought or had a scented candle. I allowed myself the treat and, boy, am I glad I did. My room feels instantly more elegant and cosy with this sucker going in the background. An Irish candle, rather than one that had to be imported, handmade in small batches, and packaged in glass and cardboard, it isn't going to leave too much of a mess behind or too much of a carbon footprint either comparatively. Excellent all around.</div>
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<a href="https://inchydoneycandles.ie/product/inchydoney-soap/" target="_blank">4. Inchydoney Soap in Lemon, RRP €6.00</a></div>
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Made in Cork, these lovely soaps are handmade by the owner, Louise, in an old cowshed on her family's farm with environmental impact firmly in mind. This lemon scented one is super-fresh smelling and is what I use in the shower, now that I have long-since abandoned shower gels and their plastic bottles.</div>
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<a href="https://irishdesignshop.com/products/helping-hand-soap" target="_blank">5. Clarke's Of Dublin, Helping Hand Cedarwood & Sea Salt Soap, RRP €8.50</a></div>
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Going even more local, this lovely and super-clean smelling soap is 100% natural, hand poured, and hand cut using traditional methods in Dublin. It also boasts the finest natural ingredients sourced in Ireland, such as Offaly goats milk, Donegal seaweed, beeswax from Meath and Irish spring water. The Achill sea salt inside is designed to gently exfoliate. All in all, a kind of dream team combo of Irish products to make one rather excellent soap.</div>
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So, if you're trying to do your bit for our planet, you may need to slow down the consumption and make some changes but you don't have to miss out on little luxuries entirely, just be conscious and source them carefully. And in Ireland we're pretty damn lucky as there are plenty of people making some great beauty products with the earth in mind.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideeyedandblind/" target="_blank">To keep up-to-date with me and my sustainability journey, follow me over on Instagram. </a></span><br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-53059210583388411262019-06-10T12:30:00.001-07:002019-06-10T12:43:33.962-07:00I Bought My First Bikini* - Why That Matters And Why It Doesn't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few months ago, when talking to my best friend about my fitness journey, I casually noted that I previously had been deeply ashamed of my body and I saw her sharp intake of breath in shock and her eyes fill up with utter sadness and hurt. I thought nothing of hating myself but she, being one of the people who loves me most, was incredibly pained by the cavalier way in which I talked about being cruel to her best friend. It gave me pause to acknowledge how fucked up my way of thinking had been and made me love her a little more for how much my suffering clearly affected her. I mean, obviously, I already loved her but the people who cry for your pain as if it is their own are the real keepers in life; remember this.</div>
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In many ways, when I started out with tackling my on-going issues with how I looked, I was going about, and thinking about, things in completely the wrong way. My value systems were completely messed up and favoured aesthetics and societal pressure over taking care of the only vessel I have, or will ever have, to occupy in this life. As time went on and I moved on from eating slightly better and walking home from work everyday, to mild exercise, to being able to run 5km in under thirty minutes, to running and doing circuits multiple times a week, I felt my body change. Firstly, my anxiety chilled the fuck out in a serious way. Then I felt more energetic. Then I noticed muscles I never knew I had. Everything got easier. I was fit for the first time since I was an actual child and it all became about being fit, about being strong, about being able to do all the things I wanted to do, and about being healthy and investing in myself and some longevity. </div>
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However, it's not like I suddenly forgot all about wanting to look different and I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy the reappearance of my cheekbones, my clothes fitting better, and not having to worry about people seeing the hidden shame that I felt my torso to be. But that was all just a bonus. What did really change was how I weighted the importance of, and how much less brain space I devoted to, worrying about how my body looks. I still don't have a "perfect" body and do you know what? I don't give a shit. I recently went running with my dad on the roads around our family home and as I am pretty much an (less determined, less innately kind, less good) exact little replica of him, I'm also a serious sweater when I exercise. So, as it was a hot day, <i>I </i>(me, yes, me) went running in public in a (double-layer because my tits came in real strong at 13) sports bra and leggings. I didn't cover up with a baggy hoody. I knew that I still have some belly fat that I'm self-conscious about, that won't budge, and, yet, loves to jiggle around, but I said, "Screw it." I don't owe it to anyone, including myself, to have a "perfect" body. Pretty much everyone else but me cares very little about how "perfect" my body is. And it was hot and I sweat a lot. So, fuck it.</div>
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In a similar vein, I recently bought my first bikini since that one time in college I had an aneurism and I thought that the high-waisted bikini sets advertised so appealingly in American Apparel would make me suddenly skinny and hide my multitude of sins with their high-waistedness. Spoiler: They did not. And so the suit was relegated to the bottom of my bra drawer. Since then, I have worn one-piece suits exclusively and felt very uncomfortable even with their relative and comparative amount of cover/protection/safety blanket. As a person that partially defines themselves by their sense of style, clothes have always been a shield but swimsuits have not allowed me to make the edits and flourishes with my body where I want to. Swimsuits don't play by the regular rules of the game of hide and reveal of clothes. But now, now that I care less about owing it to others or myself to look a certain way, and now that I am proud of how I have honed my body through time and sweat and commitment, and now that I don't feel the desperate need to hide myself like some dirty secret, I bit the bullet and thought I'd try it one more time. I still got something simple, functional, made out of recycled polyester and made for swimming and climbing and jumping and not just posing but it bears a flash of very noticeable shocking whiter-than-white Irish skin around my torso that can't be missed. </div>
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I don't look perfect it in but I don't need to and I don't need to own that imperfection either. As Editor of Irish Tatler magazine, Sarah Macken noted in piece in the most recent issue of the aforementioned publication, it is great to see people who provide a beautiful alternative to the traditionally media and societal defined ideal "beach body", but some of us can also just have bodies that are ours and not a political statement. Some of us are out there changing the world but some of us can also just be. So, I'm going to be in my new bikini, around the people who love me; around a mother who is simply glad we are all healthy, a father who is proud that I've taken control of my life, siblings made of almost all the same stuff as me who don't give an eff about how I look. It's not going to be motivational or a statement (because who needs another white, middle-class, able-bodied, cis-gender, conventionally not unattractive woman in her twenties complaining about a little excess fat around her middle or trying to hijack the body-positivity movement that is far more needed, and better represented, by others?!), it's just going to be me on my personal journey, being. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideeyedandblind/" target="_blank">To keep up-to-date with me, follow me over on Instagram. </a></span></div>
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</style>Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-4081178915722146122019-03-04T10:52:00.002-08:002019-03-04T10:55:11.874-08:00Bar Shampoo, Brushing Your Teeth With Dirt And Other Failures And Successes In Making A Zero-Waste Beauty Routine 2019A few weeks ago <a href="https://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.com/2019/02/ch-ch-ch-ch-changes-being-change-and.html" target="_blank">I wrote about the changes that would happen on this blog and the ways in which I had changed, myself, in how I related to objects and consumption</a>. I have drastically altered the way in which I buy and use beauty products, in particular, as I try to consume in a more sustainable and ethical way and it has lead to some ... interesting ... experiments, results, and failures.<br />
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<b><u><i>I. Buying Less</i></u></b></div>
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This is the most important change in my routine and the most crucial for anyone trying to consume more responsibly. Buying less is the easiest way to be kinder to the planet as it uses less resources to make, package, and deliver products and leaves you with less waste afterwards. Many of us buy things without even thinking about it, not entirely finishing something before moving on to the next thing, abandoning one product for something we've seen used or advertised. However, in an attempt to correct my chaotic overconsumption in the past, I've been buying only what is absolutely necessary in my routine. This has also simplified my routine. No more random skincare items infused with the trendy ingredient of the moment or some gimmicky fad but, rather, only the basics: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, sun cream. And you'd better believe I'm cutting things open and using every last drop.<br />
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<b><i><u>II. Shopping My Stash</u></i></b></div>
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Continuing on from buying less, I've also been rooting through presses and drawers and rediscovering things I forgot I had and making sure to finish them all. Something I was already doing, it has been further bolstered by the inspiration of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/esteelaundry/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Estée Laundry</a>'s daily #shopmystash posts in which the self-described "anonymous beauty collective" shares followers' pictures of the products in their routines and how they are doing with their own journeys towards being more sustainable. Also, for independent, unbiased information about beauty brands, beauty news, discussion about diversity and ethics in the industry, deep dives into various trends and issues, and more, you should give EL a follow as they are one of the most important pages atm for anyone interested in the area.<br />
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<b><i><u>III. Bar Shampoo</u></i></b></div>
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I noted my attempts to switch out products for items with less or no packaging over on <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bean</a> a while ago. One of my first trials was the switch to <a href="https://www.palmfreeirishsoap.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bar shampoo from Palm Free Irish Soap</a>. In theory, it's perfect, right? No packaging at all, relatively cheap, long-lasting, and it smelled nice. However, sadly, it was a case of something being too good to be true. </div>
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Now, perhaps, if you have some sort of different hair texture, bar shampoo might work for you. Maybe if you wash your hair less often than me, if might work for you. Maybe if you're a more meticulous person, it might work for you. But from day one I hated the bar shampoo and it clearly hated me in return. On first use I lathered too much and I couldn't wash it all out. I thought I had been thorough in rinsing but the horrid, greasy mess I woke up to said otherwise.<br />
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Moving forwards, I used less and less of the product with each wash and that yielded better results but it still drastically affected my hair. Prior to bar shampoo, my hair was incredible; soft, silky, and impossibly shiny. When I brushed it, my friends would marvel and say it was shampoo commercial hair. Only now is it returning back to that state, a month after abandoning my bar in favour of refillable shampoo in glass bottles from <a href="https://theglassdispensary.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Glass Dispensary</a>. </div>
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Great in theory, in reality bar shampoo just isn't an option for lots of us, particularly those with lots and lots of very fine long hair that requires daily washing. However, the Glass Dispensary's refillable bottles are a great alternative and mean that you still aren't generating any waste. </div>
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Oh, and don't worry, I didn't just throw away the shampoo bar. It still smells nice so I used it as regular soap instead.</div>
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<b><i><u>IV. Brushing Your Teeth With Dirt</u></i></b><br />
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Okay, so I obviously wasn't actually brushing my teeth with dirt but another of my swaps was for toothpaste. Toothpaste tubes and the difficulty in recycling them really, really triggers my anxiety. I don't know why it is so especially strong for this particular item but it is. Therefore, it had to be one of the things I focused on finding an alternative for. </div>
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Years ago, I used Lush's toothpaste tabs - which are little tablets you chew up and then add water to with a wet toothbrush - but I really hated the texture and never went back to them. In an attempt to find a better alternative, I tried <a href="https://georganics.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Georganics' glass toothpaste pots</a>. A natural toothpaste, the texture is a bit different to your regular toothpaste, more crumbly and drier. Pair this with the fact that I was using the charcoal variety in their range and you might be able to see why it felt as though I was brushing my teeth with dirt. It's great for whitening and does a decent job cleaning but I really missed feeling minty fresh while using it. Plus, I dreaded the texture and hated using it. It made brushing my teeth a real chore. I want to try the peppermint flavour next and see if that is any better but I have to say that it's not my favourite experience I've ever had, overall. With few better options, however, I guess I'll just have to learn to put up with it all. </div>
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<i><b><u>V. Getting Rid Of Disposable Cotton Rounds</u></b></i></div>
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This, I think, has been my most successful swap. I have traded disposable cotton rounds for reusable ones and they're great. I've heard of others not liking them but I tried them anyway and I'm into it. I actually think they drink up less of my toner, allowing me to use more and waste less of it, stretching out the life of that product too. They are also pretty low maintenance and my pack of five is perfect for using a side each night and then throwing however many I've used in the wash with my clothes. I always having some clean ones lying about and never have to worry about running out. </div>
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<b><i><u>Progress(?)</u></i></b></div>
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All of this has been a bit of a learning curve for me and I'm always trying to find more sustainable options and do better. While some of the experiments that I have undergone on this journey have been vaguely disastrous or unpleasant, I do think I owe it to the planet to go through a little discomfort. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal or that much of a sacrifice. And, perhaps, you can use my experiences and anecdotes to help yourself get started too...except with some things to keep in mind and avoid.</div>
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Let's all do our best and try to be better!</div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideeyedandblind/" target="_blank">To keep up-to-date with me and my sustainability journey, follow me over on Instagram. </a></span><br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-77241379169215107132019-02-18T12:26:00.000-08:002019-02-21T12:49:36.188-08:00London Fashion Week AW19 - Highlights, obsessions, manners, and frustrationsI do London Fashion Week each season. Have done (almost without exception) for four years now. It is almost always wonderful, dizzying, leaving me breathless and vibrating with renewed passion and excitement for weeks after the fact. And, at this stage, I have designers I have personally followed, in some cases since their debut, for years. I have favourites and friends in the industry and I'm always discovering new, intriguing brands.<br />
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Being in London twice a year for fashion week also gives me a chance to see friends who live in the city and gives me access to eateries, stores, museums, and more that I have to admire from afar in between visits. It is a heady mixture of fashion, reunions, and hectic touristing. And I am also, technically, working. As you can imagine, it is exhausting. But it is always worth it. <i>Mostly</i>.<br />
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This season, for me, was dominated by Irish and Asian designers working from London. NATALIEBCOLEMAN being back at LFW herself and on the schedule was a highlight and seeing Katie Ann McGuigan get the British Fashion Council support she deserved delighted me while Xu Zhi's presentation literally blew me away with its beauty and both Gayeon Lee and Jamie Wei Huang both presented collections I wanted to shop immediately.<br />
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I started out with the <a href="http://www.jamieweihuang.com/" target="_blank">Jamie Wei Huang</a> show and was delighted by the location; the extremely lovely Garden Museum, which is located in an old church not far from Westminster. The crystal-clear morning sun was illuminating the first blooms of spring around the headstones and in flower beds in the churchyard as we stood outside and waited to be let in. I managed to snag an empty seat, despite the fact that I had been originally allocated a standing invite (a fact I'm salty about as I've been covering the brand for years and actively seeking out to attend and cover them but I like the work enough not to get overly put out) and quickly forgot my childish complaints as I fell into the charming school days theme of the show. Taiwanese Indie Band No-nonsense Collective blasted over the soundsystem as a distinctly nostalgic-sounding and energetic soundtrack, exam answer sheets were laid out on benches as the show notes, and a parade of male and female models with tousled hair, blushy cheeks and a slightly dishevelled look in tartan twinsets, asymmetric longline suits, unisex sweaters with hand embroidered check cable in the brand's signature bold shades of blues, reds, white and combinations of the above, reimagined macs and puffers with built-in backpacks, and more, passed by. Tartans, checks, knitwear, big coats...all very much staples of novels about British boarding schools but reimagined and a little more rebellious. The net result? I felt like I was watching the cool kids walk past me in the school corridor and, boy, did I want to join in!<br />
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Next, I rushed my butt across the Thames to the <a href="https://www.gayeonlee.com/" target="_blank">Gayeon Lee</a> presentation, where I found things very prim, proper, and perfect. Hairbands, ribbons, elegant pointed shoes, and dainty little handbags, starched and pleated shirtdresses, hems to just past the knee or to the calf: it was a collection as pristine and put-together as I sometimes dream of being and will never be. But made more interesting and modern by slightly longer sleeve-lengths, handbag handles with Lee's signature geometric shapes, cut-outs just above the hip, and masterful use of tucking, gathering, and pleating to create sleek, form-fitting silhouettes. Lee's woman is elegant but she is not dowdy in the least, a line that is always hard to tread but is done here with ease and great taste. As I noted in the beginning, it was one of the collections I most wanted to fill my own wardrobe with, which is not always an indicator that a show is good or not but a place to start.<br />
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Friday was busy and chaotic and I did go to some other shows but was not particularly blown away again, until (and you really will have to excuse this continued pun), I got to the <a href="https://xuzhi.co.uk/blogs/b000003" target="_blank">Xu Zhi</a> presentation. This, however, was where my nice smooth streak of calm was blipped this season. It always happens, such is the way of fashion week. There is always chaos, crowds (bigger or smaller than forecasted, leading to messes in either scenario), and a lack of manners that boils my blood. The word has obviously spread as the brand has grown and the masses turned out for the theatrical presentation in which Xu Zhi Chen's models were blown about on a cold windy morning, strangers each going about their days on their way to their respective destinations, tied together by garments with elements in common, connecting and interacting here and there. This heavily conceptualised presentation required space for the models to act out being blown away, to come together in embraces, to walk about as if they were going about their days normally. As there was no clearly marked out space for the crowds of observers, the large mob kept clashing and interrupting their flow. I did my best to avoid their path and let them past but one very surly-looking model shoved past me twice, glaring at me as I apologised to him. Not that I could blame him, even if he were cross with me or merely acting out some character. The clamour to "get the shot" was unbearable and it was a crowd without normal presentation etiquette, or so it seemed. The collection itself, however, was a delight, as was the concept. The room was simply overly-full and overly-excited. But I was feeling the giant fuzzy coats and matching oversized bucket hats, the lacy, see-through bucket hat down over the eyes on one model, the fringed skirts, dresses, tops, and bags, the perfectly just-oversized suits. It was all slick and yet just a little chaotic. Wearable and theatrical. Opposites in the best sort of way.<br />
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I finished day one at the University of Westminster grad show, picking out some potential future talent before heading to the Dior exhibition in the V&A because, why not? I was in town anyway. The next morning, however, I sadly missed my first show because it was at half nine in the morning, which is just gross during fashion week when you're up late (doing social media until 2), have to dress up somewhat, and need to actually get there from wherever you're staying. At least be civil and have a two hour presentation if you're starting at half nine on the Saturday of fashion week. A catwalk at that time should be illegal. Trying not to be deflated at my own laziness, I took time to explore the designer showrooms and interview jewellery designer <a href="https://www.ellismhairicameron.com/" target="_blank">Ellis Mhairi Cameron</a> for <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/" target="_blank">Bean</a> (keep an eye out!). Then the <a href="http://www.katieannmcguigan.com/" target="_blank">Katie Ann McGuigan</a> presentation began, delighting me once again with Katie's fearless and expert use of the most joyous colour you ever did see. I was at her LFW debut and this was her on-schedule official LFW debut, which made me very secondhand-proud if her. This collection was inspired by the Bosozoku "Speed Tribe" biker subculture in Japan in the 80s and 90s. The idea of an all girl underground gang is a serious mood and the beautiful combination of heavy monster shoes, sporty cuts, intense layering, and heavy leathers with breezy organzas, a palette of lilac, mint, ochre, navy, and jade, tulle, gingham, tie-dye, and rose patterns, is striking. The effect? A need to be initiated into said gang immediately.<br />
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For the rest of the day, I decided to forego lots of invites for shows that I wasn't feeling or felt I was just in a very different demographic to and, instead, spent the day meeting friends. I had one other show in the evening and my childhood bestie and I decided to part ways for it and reconvene afterwards for dinner. This, perhaps, was not the best choice as, is often the case, later weekend shows can turn into an overpacked party where manners go to die. As is also often the case, clearly FAR more people than could fit had been invited. I had a seated ticket but, by the time I got through the door, there were few seats left so I tried to find a good place to stand instead. I could have been a dick and made a fuss about it but I didn't because what's the point? It wasn't any of the attendants' faults and they looked stressed as it was. Sadly, a trio of American men attending the show did not seem to feel the same way and I watched them ask some girls who were seated in front of me if they had seating tickets. When the girls said that they did not, they made them move, only to stand in the spots in front of said chairs for a better view (when you're that far back, you're better off standing) and block the line of vision of everyone behind them. It was a room of people clamouring to be important, to be someone, to be seen to have been there, and to publicise the fact, and this is exactly the worst side of the industry. It made me feel ill and sad for everyone involved. The desperation and rudeness, and willingness to push anyone out of your way is not my thing. I left as quickly as possible.<br />
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My final day began with the <a href="http://www.nataliebcoleman.com/" target="_blank">NATALIEBCOLEMAN</a> <i>SISTERS</i> presentation, which was stunning and breathtaking and <i>everything</i>. I literally cannot stress that enough. In a darkened room, a circle of women sat, sewing, chatting, at work, together in sisterhood, different ages, sizes, and races. At their feet were scattered roses all over. They wore Carrickmacross lace, handmade by Natalie's longtime hometown collaborators, silk, linen, hand embroideries...women's work, a history of female legacy, celebrated and raised up once more. Caravaggesque lighting illuminating the angelic curls, impassive faces, and beautiful garment details of the diverse cast as they worked at stitching, leaned on each other or on an artful stack of books at the centre of the room. The presentation celebrates sisterhood, the bonds of women, and the importance of these bonds, more than ever, in these turbulent times. Shown in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.unfpa.org/sexual-reproductive-health" target="_blank">United Nations Sexual Reproductive Health Agency</a>, 25 years after sexual and reproductive health became a fundamental human right, there will also be a capsule collection of printed scarves, hoodies, sweaters, and t-shirts (all sustainably and ethically produced in organic cotton), with 10% of profits going directly to the UNFPA. Once again, I'm Natalie's biggest fangirl, wishing I could afford an organza confection to live in.<br />
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On then to another show I went, having missed one I was excited for due to schedules being too tight. Upon arrival, I discovered the type of event normally fine but disastrous at fashion week; trying to liquor a crowd up in a sunny court early on a Sunday afternoon, an hour behind things, and with no explanation for the delay or hope for anything better. I had to bounce early, grumbling and unimpressed, in order to make my next appointment, with no idea how long the rest was going to take and no one who seemed to know themselves among those working there. Another major bugbear of mine: you just cannot mess with people's fashion week timetables! It's very poor form.<br />
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To end things off, I somehow just managed to make the end of the <a href="https://www.underagestudio.com/" target="_blank">Underage</a> presentation, of which I loved the punky Rocky Horror Picture Show vibes but arrived too late to really experience. I did like the Edwardian coiffing, Japanese-inspired tailoring and fabrics, creepy specs, clashing of fabrics and textures, and overall hedonism and romance of it all. And with that, I was pushed out the door so they could prep the space for the next show and made my way to the airport after a fashion week filled with incredible collections, lots of rude people who need to respect those at the event to work and who need to learn some etiquette, overly-crowded venues unable to cope, stressed employees trying to manage, fun times with pals, great food, a stellar museum trip, and the feeling, as per, that the whole thing is all really very strange...<br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideeyedandblind/" target="_blank">To keep up-to-date with me, follow me over on Instagram. </a></span></div>
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-15775571319061103162019-02-04T11:13:00.000-08:002019-02-04T11:13:15.702-08:00Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes: Being The Change And Changing This Blog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changes are coming...</td></tr>
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Every time I thought I'd got it made<br />
It seemed the taste was not so sweet<br />
So I turned myself to face me<br />
But I've never caught a glimpse<br />
How the others must see the faker<br />
I'm much too fast to take that test<br />
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<b>Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes<br />
Turn and face the strange<br />
Ch-ch-changes<br />
Don't want to be a richer (wo)man<br />
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes<br />
Turn and face the strange<br />
Ch-ch-changes</b></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-size: x-large;">Shortly after my last post on here, reports on the state of the planet came out and I had pause to really stop and properly look at myself. </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was busy with <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/" target="_blank">Bean Magazine</a>, that much is true, but my absence was largely because when I did look at myself, my whole axis shifted and I realised I couldn't go on the same way anymore. Which was probably for the best, anyway, as I had long-since lost my passion for blogging as I was doing it. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, what happened? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I faced facts. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cold, hard facts I had been furiously running to avoid for so long. See, I often consoled myself and said that I was doing enough for the world, that I wasn't as bad as others, wasn't consuming as mindlessly, wasn't creating as much waste, wasn't making as many unethical choices, wasn't blah, blah, blah...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">It was all excuses and, in some cases, blatant lies to myself. I was living a life that is far, far from sustainable and my main vice was clothing and beauty products.</span></i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But, because of social media, because of blogging, I always had someone to compare it to, others to normalise it, and a whole world of press samples and freebies that made me lose all touch with reality. Micro-bloggers of the world, we really do have a lot to answer for because the gal (or endless gals and guys and other folks) you follow on Insta being no different to you blurs boundaries. You think, "Well, if she's doing that, so can I. If she can afford it...If that's the norm...." and so on. Or you don't actually think that outright, not in so many words, but the endless stream of products and things and clothes being pushed on socials numbs you to what is reasonable. You lose your mind. You want a taste of the nice things you see in lives that seem no different to yours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, there are two things to bear in mind: 1. With gifting, rather than sponsoring, it is hard to know how much someone online can actually afford on a financial level and how much they are receiving. So, from a practical point of view, allowing a perceived standard of lifestyle of others online to set your bar for living is dangerous and not very realistic. 2. Even if you can afford/access this lifestyle of endless consumption: <u>should you</u>? The rampant procuring and tossing aside of things, a mindless pursuit of new shiny things, turning a blind eye to the mark you are making on the environment and lives of workers...are these things glamorous? Are these the lives and standards we should aim for? From my point of view; <u>no, they're not</u>. Because the momentary fix that a bauble offers was hurting my soul. Ignoring what I know is right in favour of what looks pretty in a picture felt good for a second but lingered on my conscience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I changed. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage loungewear from Space Out Sister, one of my new vintage obsessions...</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I rarely buy from the high street now and avoid buying first-hand altogether as much as I can manage. I don't accept nearly as many PR packages as I did before, though they had already calmed down after the madness of the height of Irish blogging that was a few years ago anyway. I shop carefully for groceries, necessities, etc, day-to-day to avoid unnecessary waste and barely generate any anymore. Most importantly, I consider things more. I don't look at things the same way. I treat objects with respect and don't purchase them willy-nilly to be later tossed aside in favour of something else. But </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I do, of course, acknowledge in all of this the immense </span><span style="color: #222222;">privilege</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> in my being able to make these choices financially and practically as I have no dependents to think of and am relatively comfortable in life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>All of this, of course, put my whole blog into question as it had been. </i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">How to blog about beauty if you aren't trying anything new? How to blog about style if you're rarely buying clothes? How to blog full-stop if you aren't focused on things and consumption? </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">And these questions, in of themselves, showed how far gone I was because blogging <u>doesn't have to be any of these things</u>. Growing your presence, trying to keep up, trying to be someone, proving you're worthwhile, it all got really tied up with numbers and money and social media. Most bloggers I know have long since abandoned their actual blogs in favour of Instagram. Everything has become a hashtag and homogenous and the same. A race. A game. The picture of a perfect life and person. Commodifying ourselves. And for whom? Brands and companies, using us to make money by churning up this endless need to seem like we're doing okay, to present the world with a smiling, perfectly contoured, spot-free face.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Makeup is not bad, in of itself. Fashion is not innately evil. I still love these things. I still love and admire plenty of other bloggers but I'm done with the rat race and the chaos. I'm done with the </span>soullessness and the craziness. I'm done with being numb and not pausing to think for myself. I also still love blogging and Instagram, for all their flaws, but these things can be used to be creative and unique, not <i>just</i> to sell. I started my blog to showcase my own voice and point of view. I talked about shows I was never going to be invited to just because I loved fashion so much and I had thoughts about them, even if no one else cared or read it. I studied design history so I wanted to apply my knowledge to styling in shows I nerded over. I was simply passionate about the topic, not trying to impress anyone else. I never expected anything. I didn't think I'd be given things or get paid. Of course, my day-job is as a writer, too, now and people doing this as a job need to be able to live but blogging is tied to oneself in an intimate way and all transactions in and out, therefore, should be carefully considered. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">So, after thinking about it for a while, I realised my mistake. I had let that go; that innocent passion, that unique point of view. Which is why I'm returning to my roots and also looking to share my newly renewed passion for being better and more sustainable and more ethical.</span></i> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;">I'm now lucky enough that I do get to go to those shows I once dreamed of and I'll still cover fashion weeks (London Fashion Week is in a fortnight, y'all, and I'll be there as per!) and I do still find personal style fascinating so I'll share outfits and vintage, secondhand, ethical, and sustainable clothing exploits from time to time. Ethical and sustainable beauty is hugely important to me and something I'm always learning more about, so I'll cover that process too, for sure. Mostly, I want to get back into more long-form writing and thematic articles on fashion, culture, society, self-image, and how all of these things intersect. In the coming weeks, you can expect articles on refillable beauty brands, fashion week, getting the most wear of pieces through clever styling, social media and my self-esteem, and much more besides. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces like high street powder-blue suits won't be among my purchases going forward...</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm actually really looking forward to WE&B 2.0. I think it will be refreshing for myself, if no one else, more fun to create, and more engaging for you (if anyone is still coming back to this wee blog of mine).</span></i> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;">If you want to see me attempt to remember myself and past convictions, try and get a bit more grounded, and break from the hamster wheel that blogging has become for many, please do come back and check it out. And let me know what you think about all this, too. I'd love to hear from others and if I'm not alone in these frustrations. I've heard it talked about in general but not from anyone directly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideeyedandblind/" target="_blank">To keep up-to-date with me, follow me over on Insta. </a></span></div>
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-90535609109521196682018-09-22T09:55:00.000-07:002018-09-22T09:55:05.011-07:005 Highlights Of LFW SS19London Fashion Week, my old pal, came early this season. It sneaked up on me and things were chaotic (even more so than usual) in the run-up. As a result, I decided to chill out a bit and not book up every second of my day. I took things easier, I breathed a little and I tried to be more in the moment; it was a very different fashion week and I made more meaningful connections with brands and people, which is a rare thing at LFW.<br />
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So, my highlights this time around are extra special. Here are the best collections and brands that I encountered at LFW SS19.<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.katieannmcguigan.com/" target="_blank">Katie Ann McGuigan</a><br />
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I'm a bit of a smug arsehole, in general, which is why Katie's SS19 collection was all the more gratifying for me. I was at her first show, at Fashion Scout, years ago and called her as an incredible talent right away. To see her have her first standalone show on the official LFW schedule and for her to kill it once more proved me right in picking her out and that only delighted me. Her collection, celebrating the unity that can be displayed in sports culture, takes elements of football kits and sportswear and adds ruffles and pleats, transforming something often seen as "masculine". The use of colour, as ever, was bold and brilliantly executed and the accessories showed a keen understanding of streetwear and what people really want. Bigger and brighter things are ever ahead for this talented designer.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.xuzhi.co.uk/" target="_blank">Xu Zhi</a><br />
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Two Temple Place, a stunning Gothic Revival building that features stained glass windows, gargoyles perched outside, rich wood panelling, chandeliers and more, played host to Xu Zhi's Emily Dickinson-inspired SS19 collection. The presentation was a magical experience, guiding the guests through the building to various tableaux of paired models against dramatically lit sets, and even the jostling (often rude) crowds and German couple sharply cursing them couldn't ruin it. Delicate, elegant and leaving a strong impact, the collection was poetic and filled with pieces that were at once dreamy and utterly wearable.<br />
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3. <a href="https://www.alexandramoura.com/www/?lang=en" target="_blank">Alexandra Moura</a><br />
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Alexandra Moura was actually my first show of the season, landing me on Brick Lane first thing in the morning on Friday. And it woke me up right away. The collection was inspired by the time that the designer's time, while growing up, in the countryside village where her grandparents lived, and getting ready in their Sunday best for mass and occasions. The church bells that tolled during the show were a little triggering but the lacy dresses, lace kid gloves, headscarves, ruffles, flounces, and cool denim looks majorly inspiring and well worth getting out of bed for...<br />
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4. <a href="http://isosceleslingerie.com/" target="_blank">Isosceles Lingerie</a><br />
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On my first trip around the designer showrooms - a scouting trip to inform my next, proper visit the following day - I noticed Isosceles Lingerie. The neon mesh caught my eye right away. Then, upon getting the lookbook, I read the accompanying notes from one of the models, writer Cara Scheffler, and it sealed the deal for the brand. It opened with Scheffler talking about being upskirted while furiously trying to fit in grocery shopping between meetings in New York and being too busy to be upset by it. The text goes on to explain that the idea that lingerie is for the person wearing it and not anyone else is almost redundant at this point. It's just simply the case. The campaign is all about claiming ownership of your body and presenting it how and when you choose. And I am totally on board.<br />
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5. <a href="https://www.nelsonmade.com.au/" target="_blank">Nelson</a><br />
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As I noted, I encountered a lot more kindness this season and one of the gentlest, loveliest soles (geddit it?) of all was Jamie Nelson, shoemaker and designer at the Melbourne-based footwear brand Nelson. Made to order and customisable, the shoes from this brand are sustainably made, stunning and very special.<br />
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Can all fashion weeks be this chill and filled with impeccably-made beauty, please?<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-62189011504054064282018-08-28T14:30:00.000-07:002018-08-28T14:30:15.640-07:00Your Smile Direct - Onto The Retainer And The Final Steps Of The TreatmentAfter six months (or a little over that, I messed up my scheduling of things – utterly my own fault), I'm finally on the retainer stage of my aligner treatment with <a href="http://bit.ly/2C6NURn" target="_blank">Your Smile Direct</a>. And, after another six months of 22 hours of wear a day, I'll only have to use them at night. While the treatment has been comparatively bump free, especially having had traditional braces as a teen, I can't say that I won't be happy to be able to walk around without a mouth full of plastic during the day.<br />
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In saying that, as I look back on things and having actually experienced it for myself, I have to say that I really and truly believe this to be an excellent option for lots of people who have always wanted to straighten their teeth.<br />
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Yes, it's cheaper and that's a big deal, but there are lots of things about the treatment process that I preferred to my braces (which I hated so, so much). Although, in saying that, depending on what you need done, aligners do have limitations. Some people will need traditional braces and other treatments in order to correct issues they have and, personally, my bite could not be entirely fixed by either braces or the aligners. I would have had to have had my jaw broken and reset and I decided I wasn't doing that a long time ago. Instead, I simply had my upper row of teeth widened to align with the lower row more comfortably and the results are subtle but noticeable. The gap between my teeth is much smaller. I'm pretty happy with the result, even if I'll never have a perfect smile.<br />
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What I am completely happy with, however, is the whole process of using Your Smile Direct. <a href="http://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.ie/2017/12/affordable-orthodontic-treatment-with.html" target="_blank">I talked about the consultation process and how the aligners work in a previous post</a>, then about getting my aligners and getting used to them <a href="https://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.com/2018/01/getting-my-aligners-from-your-smile.html" target="_blank">here</a> and about the halfway point of the treatment <a href="https://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.com/2018/03/your-smile-direct-halfway-point-through.html" target="_blank">here</a>, if you want more detailed information about the whole treatment from beginning to end but I thought it might be a good idea to outline the main points that I think really sealed the deal for me on why it's a great option.<br />
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1. Convenience<br />
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Aside from my initial consultation (which can be done in person or online using moulds – I went in person), everything was done online. Your aligners are sent to you in one package, you get your retainer at the end and if you have a freak accident and something happens to the retainers, they'll post another set out to you. No taking time off from work or having to travel for appointments. Considering how busy I always am, this was incredibly beneficial and convenient and I imagine most people would feel the same way.<br />
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2. Pain is lesser<br />
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I won't lie and say there was no pain. The aligners can rub and the pressure of your teeth being realigned can be painful but nowhere near as painful or as invasive as traditional braces with their wires, tightening and gum rubbing. When I first got them, the aligners were hard to adjust to and I had all sorts of issues with saliva, a lisp and pain but, as the treatment continued, these issues almost all went away and the pain and lisp would only return a little when I moved on to the next aligner and last less than a day or two. Being able to take the aligners out also means that, if it gets real bad, you can pop them out for a few minutes reprieve, which was not an option with the braces I had wired into my skull. However, bear in mind that you can't eat or drink (anything other than water) with them in and remembering to put them back in and making sure you wear them for at least 22 hours a day can be a pain and cramp your lifestyle a little: going for cocktails for a few hours is a lot less glamourous when you have to keep pulling plastic out of your mouth.<br />
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3. Cost<br />
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While I didn't pay for my treatment as I was working with the brand to review the process, I do know that it would have costed a fraction of what my parents paid for my treatment as a teen. Being able to undo the relapse in my teeth that I had stupidly caused by not wearing my retainer was brilliant as I had always felt guilty about it and wanted to right that wrong. I was even already looking into the brand before they contacted me and I know that they would have been the only viable option for me finances-wise atm.<br />
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4. Aesthetics<br />
<br />
No, I'm not talking the charming minimalist aesthetic of the brand, its packaging, website, literature etc, I'm talking about how they look. As in, you can't really notice them at first. Really. Barely anyone spotted them without being told first (I even made out with someone once and didn't have time to take them out and he didn't notice them – tmi?). The one time a friend made a comment about it, she simply thought I'd had my teeth whitened as the shininess caught her eye. So, if you're self-conscious about the idea of having braces, this might be a good option for you!<br />
<br />
5. Customer Service<br />
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Admittedly, I was working with the brand as press, however, I was often dealing with people who weren't aware of this and the customer care was always impeccable throughout. When my aligners needed replacing, it was done asap, when I was making my original appointment and following up after the consultation, everyone was attentive. Not being there in person throughout the treatment doesn't mean you're just abandoned and the balance of attention and convenience was perfect.<br />
<br />
So, all in all, if you've always wondered about braces or getting orthodontic work done, this might be a more affordable and time-efficient option for you. <a href="http://bit.ly/2C6NURn" target="_blank">Just contact the team at Your Smile Direct and book a consultation to see if it's for you!</a><br />
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(This is not an ad or sponsored. My treatment is being provided free of charge by Your Smile Direct but all opinions are my own.)</div>
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-90181620961562752492018-05-31T15:43:00.000-07:002018-05-31T15:43:20.765-07:00Where I've Bean: Introducing Bean Magazine<center>
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No posts in May. (Until now) It's disgraceful.<br />
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I'm aware.<br />
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But I have a good excuse. I swear: I founded a magazine/website, <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/" target="_blank">Bean Magazine</a>, with a bunch of my friends, some incredibly talented women that I love and admire.<br />
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Well, I tell a lie. I founded the magazine back in February but it finally went online this month and it has taken up all of my spare time. I designed the logo, built the site, proof-read the articles, published them and did the social media...all while writing my own, having a day job and trying to have a life. So, I've been busy.<br />
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Excuses, excuses, I know and balance is coming, which will mean I'll be back on here more but, for now, you can head to Bean for more content. The content that has been absent from here.<br />
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But what is Bean Magazine?<br />
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It is an all-woman team of writers creating content for women in Ireland. It aims to be a source of fun, escapism and joy but all the while having a heart and soul. So, there'll be lots of fun, interesting content but also some serious topics, lots of women's issues and plenty of tips and tricks on how to live a happier, healthier life. There will be all sorts of topics covered from <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/2018/05/25/eggs-in-purgatory-recipe/" target="_blank">food</a> to <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/2018/05/14/street-style-sfw-aw18/" target="_blank">fashion</a>, art to <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/2018/05/23/5-lesser-known-netflix-finds/" target="_blank">television</a>, <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/2018/05/14/gloss-is-back/" target="_blank">beauty</a> to <a href="https://beanmagazine.net/2018/05/31/5-things-i-wish-i-had-known-before-going-to-seoul/" target="_blank">travel</a> and more.<br />
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Most of all, we want Bean to be a community. We don't want to just talk <i>at</i> people. We want to talk <i>to</i> people. And hear back from them. And get them involved, so we'll have a submit page where you can get involved too. If this sounds like your thing, consider getting involved, we'd love to have you on board!<br />
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We want to encourage fun, passion, joy and have a space where the maddest thing you've always wanted to write but never have found a space for can finally find a home, where you can share a love of writing you might not have been able to indulge, where you can voice an opinion or a frustration you've never been able to get out there and where you can be heard.<br />
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Welcome to Bean Magazine, we're very excited to have you!<br />
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-14818273649221697272018-04-17T12:19:00.000-07:002018-04-17T12:19:01.041-07:00Wide-Eyed And Travel: The Five Best Things I Did In Seoul...<br />
...other than fashion week, of course...<br />
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While I had a rocky, jet-lagged, embarrassing start in Seoul (involving publicly humiliating myself, running away in terror at a stupid mistake and being very overwhelmed by the alienness of everything) that made me so afraid I didn't want to leave my hotel, I quickly got over it and had the time of my life. I've never been alone, or <i>away</i> by myself, for a week before so that was a novelty but it was also a luxury that allowed me to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted (around my fashion week schedule).<br />
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I spent one day shopping and wandering, another on a museum crawl and others exploring specific districts. I made a major dent in the long list of places I had seen in vlogs and blogs that I wanted to visit. I ate when I was hungry and skipped meals in favour of getting to the next place on my list, as I saw fit. On the other hand, I slept in in the morning at my hotel or sat in a café for hours with a book when that suited me too. It was utterly delicious levels of freedom. And Seoul itself stunned me. It was not love at first sight but now it is a very intense long-distance affair. I cannot wait to get back to do all the things I didn't get to tick off my list.<br />
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To discuss all the highs would be impossible in one post but I thought listing five of the best things I did in Seoul might help give a picture of just why I'm so obsessed with the city now.<br />
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1. Cafés<br />
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European café culture is something that I'm a massive fan of, though it is not quite present in Ireland. However, Korean café culture is on a whole other level. The majority of cafés in Seoul are beautifully designed, wonderful places, where you can avail of wifi, charge your phone, get a tasty drink and adorable snack, and relax. Often themed or within stores, I was in a couple flower cafés (a type that combines café and actual florist or incorporates a large amount of plants into the design of the store), both of Stylenanda's super-extra Pink Pool café's (one of which has an actual pool in it - though you can't swim in it), some Hanok (traditional-style houses) cafés in Insadong, a K-pop themed café that was run in collaboration with a record label, some cute neighbourhood cafés, and more.<br />
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Commonalities among them all, whether they were chains or themed or small or large, were the fact that everything is presented on a little tray looks adorable in photographs, attention-to-detail was insane and everything was Instagram-friendly. Admittedly, things in cafés are kind of expensive - you can get a nice meal for under 10,000 won but tea and cake will cost you around 15,000 won in a café - but it is worth it for the whole experience. Because that's what it is, an experience. I spent a lot of my trip in cafés, so I can't stress enough how integral they are to enjoying the city! Pro-tip: order the Yujacha (citrus tea) - as long as you're not diabetic (so sugary)!<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.deoksugung.go.kr:8081/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deoksugung</a><br />
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There are several palaces in Seoul, the most famous being the grand palace of Gyeongbokgung, and each has something different to offer. All are stunning examples of traditional architecture and culture but Deoksugung - at least on a Tuesday morning - is the most peaceful and lovely. It isn't the grandest or flashiest but it is simple and charming and I fell utterly in love. It is only a couple of quid in and then you can wander around the grounds. Most lovely is the fact that everything is arranged to frame even the least interesting, or pretty, views beautifully. A perfect postcard image is at every turn.<br />
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Crowds are relatively small and are mostly local tourists, which makes for quiet and reflective wandering and peaceful admiration of your surroundings. An added bonus is that the palace is home to some stunning 19th century Western-style buildings, one of which is home to a branch of the <a href="https://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art</a>, where I was lucky enough to catch a great exhibition on Korean female artists. It only costs a couple thousand won more to enter and, if the exhibition that is currently on show is anything like the one I attended, it will be well-laid out, with some English information panels and some fascinating works on display. I could go on and on about this whole place, but I won't!<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.daelimmuseum.org/eng/index.do" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daelim Museum</a><br />
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Speaking of museums, another one that I went to and loved was the Daelim Museum. More expensive than a state-owned museum, it is, however, constantly home to fascinating, wide-scale international exhibitions on interesting themes. The exhibition that I saw was called, "Paper, Present," and was made up of works from a variety of international artists and design teams that were entirely made out of paper. It made me completely rethink my idea of paper as a medium and was stunning. It was also, like so much of Korea, very Insta-friendly, and the staff were lovely enough to help a solo-traveller like me get some photos!<br />
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4. <a href="https://www.mangoplate.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mango Plate</a><br />
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So, Mango Plate is actually an app, not a place or thing, but it opened the door to some wonderful culinary experiences. It is a popular and well-used app that ranks restaurants in the city (some of it is in English) and allows users to post reviews, photographs, menus, tips and more. Extremely useful and with some discerning picks, I used it on a daily basis. However, be warned, it may lead you to places that are very much largely locals only so be sure to hold on to your courage and try new things!<br />
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5. Shopping<br />
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Like with the cafés, so many of the stores in Seoul are beautifully-designed dreams, full of wonderful things. Fashion and beauty are serious business, so if you're interested in either, you'll be delighted but there are all sorts of unique experiences that anyone can enjoy. Be sure to check out:<br />
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(a) Stylenanda: The aforementioned café isn't all there is to the place. The clothes are seriously cool, the themed Stylenanda Hotel is an insanely-extra and magical shopping experience, and their makeup brand, 3CE, is adorable. Plus, you have the cafés right there to refuel. There are two locations, in Myeongdong and Hongdae, and both are worth a visit.<br />
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(b) Ader Error: Another extra shop (technically menswear), this is half-museum, half-store and needs to be seen to be believed. Spoiler: you enter through a mattress.<br />
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(c) Gentle Monster: A sunglasses brand that has multiple locations, all themed, all several floors, all with lots of space used for everything bar displaying their wares.<br />
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(d) Department Stores: The Korean version of a high-end department store is even more elegant and perfect. Seriously. Glittering marble and powder rooms everywhere.<br />
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(e) Underground Malls: At a lot of metro stations in Seoul there are also underground shopping malls, some of which are sprawling and massive. You'll find all sorts on sale, often into the wee hours, great deals and room to bargain.<br />
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(f) Aland: Another popular chain full of Hypebeast-cool clothes (for both genders), beauty products, small homeware bits and a vintage section, this is kind of like a cooler Urban Outfitters. Plus, the one I was in had a ball pit in it. Obviously.<br />
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(g) Co-Ex Mall: With a giant stunning library/bookstore at the centre, massive food court, international highstreet chains and Korean brands, this massive mall has some beautiful surprises and is filled with gems.<br />
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I could still talk for hours and hours (and probably will, at some point) but those are just five of the best things I did in Seoul. Hopefully, I get to go back soon and add to the list!<br />
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Have you ever been to the city? What did you love? Any recommendations for my next visit?<br />
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That's all for now, 안녕!<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-30750506168148335502018-03-27T14:45:00.001-07:002018-03-28T03:10:06.364-07:00Seoul Fashion Week AW18 - Sitting Front Row At Major Fashion Weeks Across Two Continents, Street Style and More!About a year ago, I decided I wanted to go to Seoul Fashion Week. I'd been attending London Fashion Week biannually for a while and, given my great love of Korean fashion, wanted to see what it was all like over there. It seemed like a distant dream - it would be too expensive, it was so far away and I'd likely have to go alone. And then my friend announced she and her boyfriend were going to Japan and I thought, "If they can do such a big trip, I can too!"<br />
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Organising it was difficult. The flight, hotel...all that stuff was easy but fashion week was hard. It's not as old or well-established as London and, as a result, the mechanisms in place don't run as smooth. I never actually did manage to properly register through the official event. Plus, I was doing it all through my limited understanding of the Korean language and contact with people who spoke limited English. Then, my Korean teacher saved the day and put me in contact with a designer friend of hers, Jimmy Tailor, and a designer I met at LFW pulled through for me with a hook-up. The amazing, jam-packed line-up of shows that I had envisioned didn't happen but these contacts saved the entire trip for me and I got to attend five shows and peep the incredible street style outside, as well. Plus, the fact that I didn't have a crazy schedule meant that I got to tourist in Seoul and have an actual holiday!<br />
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Seoul Fashion Week was lots of the things that I had imagined but also surprised me in many ways. I knew it was run by Hera, a big Korean beauty brand, but I hadn’t realised that it was originally a government-run affair. And, in going private, I was told privately that it has gone from an event that funded young designers and became a system that allowed big designers to get bigger and gave newbies little chance to grow. This is disheartening news, to say the least, but not at all surprising in such a cut-throat industry.<br />
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Also surprising was the street style situation. It was as colourful and fascinating as I had presumed - though a North Londoner who happened to walk past me described the aesthetic scathingly as, “the ugliest clothes you can find with a bucket hat on top” - but there was a note of desperation that was unique to Seoul. Not desperation in a pathetic way but in a way that was so enduringly hard-working and eager that it made me sad. The main walkway down to the show venues was constantly lined with street style star hopefuls, posing and waiting to be papped. The same people were there for hours and hours and worked it in a way that was impressively professional. Of course, these types of people are at every fashion week around the world but they were especially persistent at SFW. Furthermore, the sheer number of young men compared to women was startling and severe. In Seoul, the boys are just as serious about fashion.<br />
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When it came to the shows, I was super into the width and breadth of influences and styles. I had presumed that a very urban and contemporary look would reign supreme (as it did outside, on the kids waiting to be photographed) but, while it was present, it was not king. The first show I went to, A.Bell, was a refined and expertly restrained affair in sandy tones that would give Celine a run for its money. The next show, Vanon Studio, nodded to 1980s cybergoth and bondage. Largely made up of risqué menswear pieces, it featured harnesses, cutouts and a traffic cone tied to a wrist as an accessory. Immediately after that came Sown Garments, with accessories by Brown Hat, which saw lots of neutral toned suiting directly from the early 20th century. Then was my favourite show, YCH, which was an ode to 40s and 50s trunk shows and boasted super-oversized hats, pearl details, headscarves, cheerful pops of colour, reimagined classic tailoring and romantic blouses. Finally, I had the Low Classic show that was all earthy palettes, draping, luxurious fabrics and boho tailoring.<br />
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My hook-up was pretty good and I ended up with lots of great seats - a couple of second rows and two front rows. However, for the YCH show, there was a fuck-up with the list. My name wasn't there and neither was the name of a Russian company director and the nine people who had come with her. She wasn't impressed and the show was about to begin. We were told to wait for one of the organisers to come meet us but she didn't show so the Russian lady dragged me along to the entrance to figure it out. We eventually found the woman in charge and she presented the Russian lady with two tickets. She laughed in shock and reminded the organiser that she had ten people in her group (who had since disappeared). Frustrated with the situation and sorry for me (who was next in the list of concerns and not yet considered), she simply handed me one of the tickets and said, "Go." I thanked her and ran inside. "Where do I go?" I asked several people (in Korean), as there was no number on the ticket. "That way" and a casual point in some direction. I asked two more people, the lights were going down, it was about to start. "Dear God" (or the Korean equivalent) said a more senior looking person and grabbed my wrist, brought me over to the front row, tugged a Matches Fashion buyer's name off of it, handed me the gift on the seat and pushed me into the chair. So, I ended up with a <i>perfectly </i>positioned seat, a cute present and a record of being front row at major shows, at major fashion weeks, across two continents. I might not be where I want to be in my career but that, alone, is pretty damn neat for an aspiring fashion journalist<br />
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It’s funny, my experience of SFW gave me a great deal of insight into its uglier sides and, yet, I still saw enough beauty and genius that I fell in love. And you know it’s true love if it still happens when you can see the flaws so clearly from the get-go. My friend, who is a local fashion insider, said he felt that Seoul is just "one designer copying another, though it’s not like European designers don’t do the same". Of course, he’s not wrong that the fashion industry, globally, sees a lot of people jumping on board the same trends. But I would argue that the lens through which Seoul sees and re-imagines things is special and addictive. And now that I’ve gotten a taste of it, I can’t wait to go back...<br />
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-12734963173071196922018-03-16T08:12:00.000-07:002018-03-16T10:56:21.311-07:00Your Smile Direct - A halfway point through the process, progress and pain<center>
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Yesterday, I began my fifth set of aligners from <a href="https://orders.yoursmiledirect.com/ie/assessment?utm_source=Colette%20Fitzpatrick&utm_medium=Instagram&utm_campaign=Ireland%20Influencer%20Campaign" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Smile Direct</a>, marking the halfway point of my journey and, given the fact that some time has now passed since I began, I feel better equipped to really reflect on my experience of the process thus far.</div>
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My mother asked me if I could see a difference in my teeth yet, at the weekend, which gave me pause to consider it. "Not really," I answered after some thought. "It works in stages - two weeks per aligner - moving my teeth gradually - so it's hard to notice."</div>
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As I right this, I consider it again. I run my tongue over my teeth and ponder over it some more, it occurs to me that my upper and lower teeth do seem fit together a bit better - a natural misalignment that I was told years ago could only be fully resolved by breaking and resetting my jaw, something I wasn't too keen on. But, as I assess it again, now, I do think that don't have to adjust my bite as much. The treatment is widening my upper row of teeth to rest more comfortably against the bottom and, when I consciously pay attention to it, I cansee it working.<br />
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That wasn't how my answer to my parents ended though. I continued, "I'm noticing other things, though."<br />
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Like what?<br />
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I mentioned the side-effects of the aligners in my last post - the discomfort and the fact that they made me salivate more at times and my mouth completely dry at others - this resulted in my having to drink more water and use lip balm more often, which has improved my skin and hydration levels. My paranoia over having bad breath due to the aligners has made me brush my teeth more frequently and they've gotten visibly whiter. These side-effects, I told my parents, are more apparent at the moment, than the gradual changes in my teeth. But both are great.<br />
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Pain is something I wanted to readdress. I think I was too much of a baby in the last post about it all, or perhaps I've gotten used to it - I'm not sure - but I definitely don't think it is as bad as it seemed at the beginning. Each time I change my aligners to a new set, there is more pressure and discomfort for a few days, this is true, but it is manageable and no worse than traditional braces. In fact, the only reason I dwell on it so much is that I had no option but to deal when I had braces but, with the aligners, I <i>can</i> take them out if I want to. I think that indulges babyish tendencies.<br />
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Having said that and having reconsidered that the pain really isn't all that bad, I will say that, like with braces, you can expect some rubbing and the odd blister. It's nothing major and usually clears itself up within a few days but it has happened a couple of times so far.<br />
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Taking the aligners out and putting them back in again for meals and drinking anything other than water remains a pain but I'm (slightly) smoother about it and more used to it. I do still occasionally forget for a little while and going for cocktails, specifically, is a pain as it forces you to choose between going over your aligner-free limit for the day (you're meant to wear them for at least 22 hours a day) or awkwardly take them out and put them back in repeatedly.<br />
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All of that being said, the fact that there are no appointments with an orthodontist necessary makes this whole process incredibly easy and smooth. There are the minor bumps that I have mentioned but, really, this whole thing is so handy and revolutionary. Of course, if you need more complicated orthodontic work, it's not a goer but for anyone looking for a lower price point and a stress-free treatment plan, it's amazing!<br />
<br />
For more information, see my <a href="https://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.ie/2017/12/affordable-orthodontic-treatment-with.html" target="_blank">initial post about getting started and the consultation process</a> and my <a href="https://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.ie/2018/01/getting-my-aligners-from-your-smile.html" target="_blank">second post on beginning the treatment</a>.<br />
<br />
To see if it might work for you, hit this <a href="https://orders.yoursmiledirect.com/ie/assessment?utm_source=Colette%20Fitzpatrick&utm_medium=Instagram&utm_campaign=Ireland%20Influencer%20Campaign" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link</a>.<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-89477405842648302552018-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:002018-02-28T15:19:09.896-08:005 Trends That Everyone Hates But That I'm Not Mad AtSo, anyone who knows me well probably has seen me in items of clothing that they really don't like. I've had friends ask "what the hell are you wearing?" upon seeing me, even when being reunited after a very long time. I've had my little sister accuse me of dressing to embarrass her (when we were both teens and far angstier). I've had "goth", "emo" and "loser" shouted at me in the street. I've had boys in my class label a beloved pair of shoes "witch boots."<br />
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I take all of the above as compliments.<br />
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I don't care if you don't like something I'm wearing because I do. I'm the one wearing it, not you. Besides, as a pretentious asshole, I do enjoy the idea that people simply don't "get it". I'm sorry you're not as fashion as me. Too bad for you.<br />
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But seriously though, personal preferences are fine. We don't all have to like the same things. Yet, there are some things that I find myself defending on the reg because most people label things blindly as "ugly" and I simply don't think that the world is often that black and white. Sometimes, things are ugly-cute. So, here are five things that everyone else hates but I'm not mad at.<br />
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<center><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdiuRUlsd5/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdiuRUlsd5/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The8 (@xuminghao_o)</a> on <time datetime="2018-02-21T14:10:51+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 21, 2018 at 6:10am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br />
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1. The Fashion Mullet.<br />
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I know. I hear the sharp intake of breath. I'm starting out strong with this one.<br />
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Tbh, if you asked me a year ago about mullets, I would have made a stank face but I've had reason to consider. The mullet has recently become popular again in Korea and has been rocked by actors and kpop idols and it made me realise that, if styled well, it ain't that bad. In fact, it can be quite cool. G-Dragon's mullet? Awesome. Seventeen's The 8's? Adorable. Nam Joo Hyuk's? Chic.<br />
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I'm no advocate for any Billy Rays or rat tails but a well-style mullet? I can get down with that.<br />
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2. Kitten Heels.<br />
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Look, you can bitch and whine all you want but if they were good enough for Chanel and Audrey Hepburn, they can't be all bad. Yes, there are ugly kitten heels but there are a hell of a lot of nasty-looking stilettos. Don't tar all kittens with the same brush.<br />
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<center><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bce73QWH7or/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bce73QWH7or/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@lespionneparisfemme</a></p><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vetements_official/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> VETEMENTS</a> (@vetements_official) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-12-09T13:35:35+00:00">Dec 9, 2017 at 5:35am PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br />
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3. Crazy Oversized Clothes.<br />
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I like to dress comfortably but still with style and edge. The easiest way to achieve both is to have a statement piece among comfortable and practical items. So, a crazy oversized hoodie or coat or tee that has a cool design or bold colour is a life-saver as it can do all the talking for me, while I lounge around inside the garment. It's an ideal sitch. The key is proportion and balance. You don't want to swim in fabric or have your clothes wear you but, when done right, oversized garments are a super cool way of updating an existing wardrobe and look.<br />
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<center><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfi8ttdnymF/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfi8ttdnymF/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Louis Vuitton Official (@louisvuitton)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-02-23T16:34:15+00:00">Feb 23, 2018 at 8:34am PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br />
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4. Dad Trainers.<br />
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Again, it's a comfort thing and a careful choice thing. There is a such thing as the <i>right </i>kind of ugly. Just like there are some faces that aren't conventionally attractive but still captivating or lovely or both, there are objects that are the right amount of wrong.<br />
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So, no, I won't be forking out for those Balenciaga beasts but I would consider something with a similar spirit and more refined feel - and just think about the arch support! Marvelous.<br />
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5. Bum bags.<br />
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I slagged my dad about his for years and now I'm eating my words...<br />
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Bum bags were once awful neon signs pointing out someone on holiday who didn't know how to dress themselves but they have been utterly reborn and I'm super into it. Simply wearing them differently changes everything. Moving them from the hips to across the chest or back or cinching in a waist of a sick blazer is an easy way of injecting a streetwear vibe into an outfit and making it cooler.<br />
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Well, I'm sure I've disgusted enough people at this point but my point in all of this is basically that I used to have a much more simplistic view on things - in life, in general, but also about fashion, in particular. However, time and other people's brilliance, great ideas and views have taught me that you can always be proven wrong about things you never though could work. You're welcome to like and dislike things but, remember, a little tweak can transform something entirely and make you see it with fresh eyes.<br />
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Let me know if you guys agree or disagree or if there is anything that you love but everyone else seems to deem ugly!<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-40420603851628514552018-02-26T13:56:00.000-08:002018-02-26T13:56:27.499-08:00London Fashion Week AW18: The Good, The Bad and the Spilling of the TeaLondon Fashion Week is a weird place.<br />
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It is one of the few places in the modern, democratic world where hierarchy still weighs heavily on one's consciousness. It is a place where you can be treated like a princess at one venue and left pawing at the window, your breath fogging the pane, elsewhere (A/N: to clarify, this is an overwrought metaphor, I'm not quite an actual puppy that whines outside to be let in). The air is heavy with hopes and dreams and aspirations to the point of being stifling, at times. All said, it's an intense place. But it's also magical and leaves me happy and inspired for months in its wake.<br />
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This fashion week started rather bumpily for me.<br />
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I saw someone say that if you ever get too cocky about something, the universe has a way of bringing you back down to earth and fashion week taught me that. I'll preface this by saying that I don't go to be papped or be seen or sit front row. There is nothing wrong with those who do, we all have our own path in life and many people that others judge are only hustling and trying to make their lives happen. However, while I'm there for the shows, I <i>have </i>become accustomed to good seats and tickets. As my registration was messed up, I was sent noticeably fewer invites and less great seats this season and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed by that. It took the whole first day for me to get over my snobbiness and decide to just enjoy a more relaxed run at fashion week this time around. Once I did, I stopped being annoyed by everything and started having a good time, knowing I had more space in my schedule for meeting friends and exploring things around the city that I wanted to see.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bora Aksu AW18</td></tr>
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My first show was great, despite my grumpiness. It was a Bora Aksu presentation that was all sorts of up my alley, with Georgian inspiration and gothy tendencies. Eerie music choices played as creepy-cute girls that looked akin to Tim Burton characters floated down the runway. Lace, cameo details, certain fabric, pattern and colour choices and silhouettes all referenced the inspiration for the collection; a young Irish woman named Margaret Ann Bulkley, who was forced to pretend to be a man in order to study medicine in the 19th century. The play between suiting and gowns also tipped a hat to the duality of the pioneering woman's existence but demonstrated how we modern women don't have to make that same decisive choices about our being. (A/N: there's a mean cocktail inspired by Bulkley served in the Liquor Rooms in Dublin, where their cocktail menu is an ode to incredible women from Irish history)<br />
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After the show, I tipped into the designer showrooms, a space that displays the collections of some of those who are showing on the catwalk or in presentations and those who aren't, alike. Or should I say I tripped in? Literally. (I don't know what was going on but there was many an uneven surface this season and I fell over several times. It was a bit of a hazard tbh.) Once inside, I did a quick wander to get a lay of the land and scout brands for later inspection. As I did so, I spotted Susie Lau, a major idol of mine and for about the third time now, bitched out at the last minute and wasn't able to work up the courage to talk to her...maybe someday...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiao Li AW18</td></tr>
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Lunch cheered me up a little and then I checked out Xiao Li's collection at the British Fashion Council's Discovery Space. While I liked the shapes and bright tones of the collection, I confess that I saw none of the 70s skate culture inspiration that the press release referenced. I was also sat in the second row, with a very bad line of vision and got kind of moody because of it. I know, I know, I'm a brat but it was super hard to get a good shot of the runway and when you're working fashion week, that's incredibly frustrating. So, I did what anyone should do in that case, I went and got cake. I headed to the very pretty Aubaine in Selfridge's where the nice seats were full and the lady next to me practically sat in my lap. The tart I ordered was delicious and I enjoyed wandering the store but the rude people next to me and the fact that I had no more shows for the day - two is the least I've ever had in a day - ruined any progress in my mood. The friend I was staying with was out with friends but I wasn't up for company so I went home alone and got in my jammies to read until I went to sleep.<br />
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Day two continued with a sour mood. My first show of the day was covering a great young Irish designer named Roseanne McNamee at the House of Ikons for the magazine I was with but I arrived too early and paid far too much for a terrible cup of tea in the hotel lobby as I waited. When I eventually went into the show, there had been confusion and my backstage pass hadn't been cleared. Then there were no attendants downstairs to clarify where I was meant to sit, so I stood. ((Pro-tip: if you're not sitting in the first row or second (at a push and depending on the venue), then you are better off standing at a fashion show if you want to get good photos)). Again, I was there to work, so I stood to get my photos but the people who were there for fun kept jostling me and one lady, who basically sat underneath me kept tapping my shoulder and asking me to move. I don't begrudge someone getting a taste of LFW at all but if you're there to work, I do think your needs should be respected and this lady did not give a shit. The whole process was incredibly frustrating and, again, a weird disparity from the (arguably) much bigger shows where I was treated well and professionally. Luckily, though, my shots turned out great.<br />
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Popping on to the Sadie Williams presentation turned it all around for me. She always delights me, her sets are impeccable and they cast the best models. It was a bright, fun space-agey collection, displayed within a toy rocket ship set. Afterwards, one of the girls working there got a cool outfit shot for me and then I headed into the showrooms again, where I met some designers I might work with at Seoul Fashion Week in March, arrived just in time for free booze and hung out with the gang at SKMMP, an Irish digital showroom that represents the brands NATALIEBCOLEMAN, Electronic Sheep and McConnell. They showed me their AR models and we chatted away until I had to dash off to hang out with my friend's Burberry colleagues and watch the show in his French friend's house. Insider knowledge was poured into your excitable girl's eager ears, excellent wine and snacks were consumed and LFW was well and truly saved.<br />
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Day three opened with Edeline Lee's stunning garden of earthly delights, a collection of masterful florals, elegant silhouettes and great beauty. Then I had two more shows in quick succession, including the cute band of colourful misfits at Kristel Kuslapuu, before heading off to meet my childhood best friend in Chinatown. Pro-tip II: If your pal suggests meeting in Chinatown on a Sunday during Lunar New Year, don't. It will be insanity. Luckily, I managed to escape said insanity and quickly found a great Korean restaurant called Yori nearby. I was trusted to order all the food, ate way too much and then the two of us headed on to meet another friend for coffee. After she left us a couple of hours later, we went to a stunning bar called Disrepute for cocktails. When my best friend finally had to leave, I headed to meet my lovely host, Noel, who was attending my last show of the day with me. And thank God he was.<br />
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I'm so used to shows now that the novelty has long since worn off and, as this post shows, I can easily become grumpy and irritated by things. Bringing a newbie along offers a fresh tolerance and perspective. So, when the crowd at Aadnevik was there to drink and party and not see the show, instead of being annoyed at the noise and disrespect, I could still disapprove of their rudeness to the designer but see the funny and ridiculous side of it all. Plus, who doesn't like scoring free Champagne for their friend? Plus, plus, having someone to critique the collection with on the way home was fun and novel for me. (Cliffnotes: the overall vibe was good but the collection could have been edited down, though we understood that the label sells party dresses to socialites and celebrities and needed that many pieces).<br />
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My final day was madness. But the fun kind. I packed the night before so I could leave quickly in the morning and when I got to the Paul Costelloe show, I had my suitcase in tow. The Waldorf, where the show was being held, refused to stow my bag behind the counter for the duration but, luckily, I was allowed leave it backstage at the show itself. Then I was sat down in the stunning venue with a glass of Champagne before 10am...when at Fashion Week, right?!...As per, I was super into the collection. Costelloe's AW shows are always pretty rock and roll and cool and this was no exception. A sea of stunning linen, lace, tweeds and checks paraded by, made edgier by mesh elbow-length gloves layered with statement rings, giant pearl accessories, towering over-the-knee boots, high slits, tiny minis, power suits and carefree hair and makeup. Exuberant florals and menswear shown alongside the womenswear, meanwhile, came as welcome surprises in this AW showing.<br />
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After ingesting some more food to soak up the early booze and reclaiming my case, I went on to the Sang Yoon exhibition, curious about a brand that had sent me an invite with the most incredible penmanship. In the basement of a pretty Georgian building, in a side-street just off the Embankment, I had another glass of Champagne handed to me and wandered into a room where a series of mannequins were adorned with some seriously sexy garments. Not sexy in the obvious sort of way but sexy in the use of mesh sleeves that extended over the hand as a glove, in the belted power-suits with cut-outs at the waist, the powerful minimalism but clear statement. I immediately imagined both Rihanna and Blackpink wearing the clothes.<br />
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With some time on my hands, I decided to head to Harrod's to check out the special Vetements installation where used clothing is being collected in aid of the NSPCC, which really speaks to the incredibly cool and influential label's vision for how they want to move forward as a brand. Having dashed all the way across the city, I wandered the store calmly and took in the vastness of it and the awesome store design before sitting down to some tea. Once my energy was restored, I went across city again to the Ilaria Lepore presentation. Delayed by a half hour, I stood on increasingly aching feet with the crowd, waiting to be let in. I managed to get to the front rather easily so I was one of the first through the door and had an amazing view of the incredible presentation, which involved the designer herself performing before the models came out. Tired at this point as I was, I had little time for the fashion scene kids who were pushing everyone at the centre of the crowd and making noises during the performance. Yes, they were appreciative and supportive sounds but if someone is doing performance art, especially something that imitates a ceremony, you should probably get over yourself, not make it about you and hold your tongue. When I could handle the kids' behaviour no more and had seen all the clothes, I quickly disengaged from the crowd and headed back to the BFC space for my final show of the season, Paula Knorr. Another firm favourite of mine, she did not disappoint, with a glittering, jewel-toned, sequinned, disco-inspired collection.<br />
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At this point, I had gone from not having accumulated anything over fashion week, to having gotten three gift bags that day and gone shopping for souvenirs for the family. In the most glamorous highlight of the whole fashion week, I ended up sitting on the floor of the showrooms, trying to Tetris my suitcase and liquids bag into submission, while people walked by and gawked at the strange girl with her life all over the ground. I did it, but only just, forgetting my earbuds in the process and having to toss a cheap but effective moisturiser in favour of newly acquired gems.<br />
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Getting home was also a trial as an attendant in Victoria pointed me to the wrong train (Pro-tip III: Just fork out for the Gatwick Express. Don't listen to the lady telling you that you have enough time for a normal train at "that platform over there".), I had a freak-out when I realised my mistake and barely made it to the airport on time (okay, I had an hour left to spare but that's not enough for my comfort). But, look, takeaway tonkatsu from Wagamama and a beer downed at their bar while I waited for it helped out a lot.<br />
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So, there you have it. Fashion Week. In all it's strangeness and beauty. If you're not important in the industry, it involves a lot of running around and sweating but London is pretty easy to navigate, so that's not too bad. It also involves a lot of egos and bizarre people willing to step on you but that's pretty easy to tune out if you have a thick enough skin. It's certainly not all glamour and pretty dresses but there <i>are</i> pretty dresses and much more besides and the magic of all of that creativity and beautiful absurdity makes it all worth it. I'll be running on the fumes of inspiration I took in at LFW for weeks now, even if the backs of my legs hurt like I'd been seriously hiking for days and days afterwards.<br />
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Even if my feelings get hurt or I have to deal with bullshit or stupid things happen, I keep going back because there's nothing quite like fashion week and, with all of the rumblings of new ideas and necessary changes in terms of sustainability, I'm crazy excited about what is coming next.<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-39547335898522163792018-02-07T14:10:00.002-08:002018-02-08T14:20:04.145-08:0036 Hours in Belfast - What To See, Where To Eat, The Best Place For A DrinkIn January, my baby brother started his first full-time job and moved to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Suddenly, our youngest was a few hours away from all of us and fending for himself all of a sudden, not surrounded by the wall of women who are always ready to go to bat for him. We were all, understandably, concerned for him. But I was also so excited for his career and the opportunity for him to stand on his own and explore a new city.<br />
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While I was totally supporting his independence, I wanted to help ease him into it and get settled. So, on only his second weekend in Belfast, I was already headed for a visit. After a two hour train journey from Dublin's Connolly Station to Belfast Central (which was spent on a lovely train occupied by a decidedly unlovely and rowdy crowd of people going to party in Belfast for the weekend) and a confusing time of trying to find each other, we were reunited. James took me on an exceptionally scenic route through periods of drizzle and we eventually reached his place, where we ate Tayto sandwiches (the Northern variety are, apparently, somewhat different?) and watched Netflix.<br />
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The next day, the touristing began and, it was only later, an hour before I got my train back home on Sunday, that we discovered that we actually did every single thing on the official tourist "must-see" list (bar hitting up the Titanic Museum). We headed to <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://www.qub.ac.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queen's University</a></span></u> so I could perv on the stunning red brick facades and, from there, went into the park adjacent where the <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/leisure/parks-openspaces/Park-6614.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens</a></span></u> and <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://www.nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-museum/Home.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ulster Museum</a></span></u> are located. The Botanic Gardens are much smaller than those in Dublin but are in a similarly pretty 19th century greenhouse that is perfectly photogenic and a lovely place for a quick stroll. Don't expect hours of amusement but, as it is free, it's a nice little stop-off, especially en route to the Ulster Museum. Said museum is fantastic. We spent four hours there, checking out the art, the dinosaurs, the mummy, the Game of Thrones tapestry, the natural history and science exhibits...all of it. Relatively compact but full of things to see and with especially excellent facilities for kids, we enjoyed it thoroughly and put off filling our empty stomachs longer than we normally would, in order to see it all.<br />
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Once our stomachs could no longer be ignored, we headed to the little Korean Cafe that I had spotted the day before (and mentioned in <a href="http://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.ie/2018/02/where-to-get-korean-food-in-ireland-and.html" target="_blank">my last post on where to get Korean food in Ireland</a>), <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Arirang/410521562330303" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cafe Arirang on Botanic Avenue</a></span></u>. A cute, wee family-run cafe that serves tasty treats that you don't always find on menus here. We got the bulgogi kimbap, tteokbokki, spicy noodles and fried dumplings between us and it was quite the feast.<br />
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Full and no longer faint, we then headed to explore the city and I was amazed by how big and built-up the centre is, considering the relatively small population. Architecturally, the centre is rather diverse, with a lot of beautifully preserved buildings centred around the City Hall and then spreading out into a combination of more modern builds and historic warehouses. There is a lot to see and I wondered why no one had ever mentioned that it's quite a pretty city to me before. Of course, I often have to defend how beautiful Dublin is to people, so it doesn't surprise me that many don't have much admiration for Irish city planning. However, I digress. My point is: the centre is compact but interesting and is also home to the <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://www.victoriasquare.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Victoria Square Shopping Centre</a></span></u>, a vast glass-roofed shopping street that has all the high street chains you might be looking for (and some little gems besides), a cinema, and some restaurants. Its crowning glory is a tall viewing platform that goes up to just beneath the glass dome and from which there is an amazing view over the whole city. We arrived just before sunset and managed to catch it there, though my legs shook in fear the whole time. It's a great view, that I recommend checking out but not if you're afraid of heights. I'm not and I was still scared stiff.<br />
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A little shaken from the experience, I was in need of drink and the drizzle and wind that appeared with the dusk made us head off in search of shelter. On the way to one bar, a second nasty gust of wind sent us into <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://www.themerchanthotel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Merchant</a></span></u>. Trust me to stumble into a five-star hotel...how bougie, I know. But the Victorian and Art Deco former bank is a beaut and their bar is excellent: not too warm, not too loud, great cocktail menu and truly excellent service. At between ten to fifteen pounds for a cocktail, it is, by no means, cheap but isn't truly insane either. I've paid that price for a nice drink plenty of times at home. My brother got a drink that was akin to mulled wine (delighted to have found somewhere to get his fix year round) and I had a trusty Whiskey Sour. I wasn't overly blown away by the drink itself but the surroundings were so lovely that I'd return in a heartbeat. In fact, I liked the whole place so much that I'm considering staying there when I visit with the BFF later in the year.<br />
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The next day we had a slow start before grabbing lunch in <u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/stgeorgesmarket/stgeorgesmarket-index.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St George's Market</a></span></u>. Let me tell you, it's the perfect spot for a slow, happy Sunday. Live bands play at the core of the market, there are stalls of clothes, trinkets, vintage pieces, artworks and more to browse, and there is a decent food court. We wandered around the stalls of Belfast's last surviving Victorian covered market to work up an appetite and then I grabbed some falafel, my brother got a burrito. We sat down together just far enough from the music to hear it and still have a conversation. Then we followed it all up with some delicious and well-priced cakes from a stall called <a href="http://www.shopbelfast.info/dezurts.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dezurts</a>. I even bought some of their famous and v Insta-friendly unicorn meringues to bring back for my sister.<br />
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Lastly, we popped over to <u><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/cityhall/cityhall-about.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City Hall</a></span></u> and checked out the excellent exhibitions there (I cried at how beautiful and well done one of the rooms about the Troubles was), papped an outfit shot and picked up the brochure that told us we had just done everything on the must-see list (bar the Titanic Museum).<br />
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Even still, there's lots of stuff that's off the beaten track that I want to do and we're planning my next trip already, which was exactly what we discussed as we walked to the train station. I really fell in love with Belfast and can't wait to return. There are so many restaurants and bars that look great and cool galleries and cultural venues to check out. And now that it's home to my precious babby bro, I want to know more about it. If you're looking for somewhere to head off for the weekend, I highly recommend it: there are a lot of things to do for free, it's easy to navigate and get around, and (as mentioned) lots of places to eat and drink. Keep an eye for more adventures in Belfast in the future here as there are bound to be plenty!<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-53662466466643859522018-02-05T13:39:00.000-08:002018-02-05T13:39:17.427-08:00Where To Get Korean Food In Ireland (And Not Just in Dublin)In honour of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, my upcoming first trip to Seoul (for Fashion Week in March) and my passion for Korean cuisine, I thought it was about time to share my recommendations for places to get excellent Korean food in Ireland.<br />
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I think, at this stage, I've been to every Korean restaurant in the country (please, do let me know if I'm wrong on this!), though I know of some market stalls that happen in certain places and on certain days, which I haven't been able to get to yet. However, when it comes to permanent restaurants and cafes, I've tracked 'em down and hit 'em up. One after another. Almost all of them are based in Dublin but there are two that I've managed to track down on this island, outside the capital of the Republic. So, if you're interested in trying something new or you're already a fan of Korean food and looking for some new places to check out, here are some of the best Korean restaurants in Ireland (in no particular order).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kimbap</i> at Brothers Dosirak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers Dosirak</td></tr>
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1. Brothers Dosirak (Korean word for "lunch box"), 27 Capel Street North, Dublin 1, €<br />
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I've been a regular at this cheap and cheerful little gem, tucked into Super Asia Foods supermarket on Capel Street, since it opened over a year ago. There isn't a lot of seating - just four or five tables and bar-style seating looking into the kitchen - but I've only had to leave and eat elsewhere once. Peak lunchtime hours during the week might require a wait but, normally, it'll have room for a few more while lively enough. If I'm with a friend, I sit at a table, but when I go there alone, I sit at the counter and chat to the chefs who are happy to tell the weird Irish girl the name of the Korean song from the eighties that she recognises (it was in a television show I watched). Jovial kitchen staff aside, the food is great. There is a selection of some typical dishes from <i>bibimbap</i> to <i>bulgogi</i> and <i>kimchi jjigae</i> to <i>kimbap</i>, served with some <i>banchan</i> (side-dishes) and a free soup of the day, which you can serve yourself from a vat by the cash register. Value for money is great and you'll likely get out the door full and happy for under ten quid. I suggest finishing the whole meal off with a cup of honey lemon tea, which is clearly a gift from the gods. For unpretentious food, lovely plating, friendly (if humble) surrounds and a bargain besides, it is a great option.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Han Sung</td></tr>
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2. Han Sung Asian Market, 22 Great Strand St, North City, Dublin 1, €<br />
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Another restaurant hidden within a supermarket, this is a less trendy and more traditional-style Korean cafeteria restaurant with quite a range of dishes to choose from and equally great price-points (if slightly less friendly staff, though they're somewhat endearingly uninterested and grumpy). Located at the very back of the store, there is a cluster of ten to fifteen tables and a counter from which you order and collect your meals. You'll eat well for under a tenner and the food is damn good, too. Writing this, I'm given pause to wonder why I don't visit more often, considering how much I like the food. The only reasons I can think of are that I work off Capel Street and I'm lazy enough to favour the locations closer to me and that Han Sung is often busy with big groups, making it a somewhat less comfortable environment in which to dine solo. I must visit again soon, now that I'm reminded!<br />
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3. Hailan, several locations (Capel Street, Dame Street, Dundrum), €€<br />
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</span></span> I used to be a bit of a regular in the Capel Street location however, I have come to realise that the branches are quite different from each other. The Capel Street location usually seems to have Chinese staff and customers and, as a result, is less stellar for Korean food. The Dame Street location, meanwhile, has a bigger Korean menu and Korean staff, which makes it preferable if you're there for Korean food (as you'd imagine). I actually order food to be delivered from Dame Street quite a bit and really rate their spicy fried chicken (<i>dakgangjeong</i>), in particular. In fact, it's become my go-to feeling-sorry-for-myself, tired, sick or hungover food. To me, it's a serious treat. Their <i>kimchi jjigae</i> is also pretty damn good and, as a key dish in the cuisine, is always a good bar by which to rate a restaurant. Prices here, meanwhile, are pretty standard Dublin mid-range restaurant prices and not the serious bargains of the first two entries on this list. However, they're still pretty competitive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kimbap</i> at Arisu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kimchi Jjigae</i> at Arisu</td></tr>
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4. Arisu, 120 Capel Street, North City, Dublin 1, €€<br />
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Arisu is a funny one. There's something a little intimidating about the Capel Street location. I'm not quite sure what it is. The food is great (the <i>banchan </i>are especially good), don't get me wrong, and, when it comes to decor, it's one of the prettiest Korean restaurants in the country. But there's some air to the place that always makes me feel funny and self-conscious when I walk through the door.<br />
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When they opened a Rathmines location, it became almost a second home to me, however. I strolled in on a regular basis, knew the staff, got extras of the side-dishes for free sometimes. The whole nine. Sadly, this location seems to be closed now. However, the taste of that one seaweed side-dish and the meat perfectly cooked over the barbecue at each table by the expert staff (if you're having barbecue) will make me brave the weird vibes of Capel Street once more, I think. Of course, said vibes could be more me being weird than the place but I really will mourn being a regular at the Dublin 6 spot and being able to wander in on my way home.<br />
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Once again, the prices jump up a little more at this entry but are still not unreasonable and you do get <i>banchan</i>, which is always nice and makes for a more authentic Korean dining experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drunken Fish</td></tr>
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5. Drunken Fish, The Excise Building, I.F.S.C., Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1, €€<br />
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Drunken Fish is a cafe and takeaway lunch box spot, a restaurant, a pub, a karaoke bar and an event space all in one. Straight off the bat, I will say (and warn) that service can be slow. However, in saying this, I also still can't help but like the place. The staff are always lovely, there are <i>banchan</i> (the way to my heart), Korean beers and liquor (though they can be out of stock) and it's nice that you can also enjoy the bar or karaoke in the one venue. It's also one of the places that my Korean friends all like and recommend and it's where my Korean teacher organises our Christmas parties; so it's got the approval of people who know what they're talking about. Being down in the IFSC makes it a not-so-regular spot for me but if you work or live nearby or are looking for a different spot for a night out, it is a must! I only wish I worked closer to indulge in their lunch boxes.<br />
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6. Kimchi Hop House, 160-161 Parnell St, Rotunda, Dublin 1, €€<br />
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Kimchi is also a restaurant and bar and is, in fact, the oldest and most lauded Korean restaurant in Dublin. It is pretty well-established and popular and for good reason. A buzzing, lively spot, it is the perfect place for group gatherings and I've even had a very successful party dinner there before. Staffed by Korean waiters and chefs, providing <i>banchan</i> and with Korean liquor on the menu, it's another place where you can get the full (or as close to it as possible) Korean dining experience in Dublin. The food is great and presented beautifully and the whole place is a well-oiled machine.<br />
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....and, now, to venture beyond Dublin. Because, believe it or not, there are two (as far as I know) more Korean restaurants in Ireland; one in Sligo and one in Belfast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miso, Sligo</td></tr>
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7. Miso, Calry Court, Stephen St, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo, €€<br />
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The bestie (or one of them, I should say!) and I went to Sligo for a weekend during the summer and after a long day of cycling and exploring, we decided to check out the award-winning Korean restaurant that I was surprised and delighted to find out is located in the town. They serve both Korean and Japanese food but the restaurant is actually owned by the sweetest Korean gentleman, Nae Young Jung, who works as the Head Chef and came out and did the rounds to chat to local regulars and us blow-ins alike. While he is a particular gent, <i>everyone</i> who worked in the place was lovely and incredibly accommodating to my friend, who has several food intolerances. The atmosphere of the restaurant is utterly jovial and friendly and I really can't recommend it enough.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Arirang</td></tr>
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8. Cafe Arirang, 32 Botanic Ave, Belfast BT7 1JQ, UK, ££<br />
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This wee cafe was another lovely surprise that I stumbled upon while travelling and visiting my baby brother in Belfast. A small, family-run business, it isn't super stylish but there are some tasty treats that you don't see on many menus in Ireland.<br />
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I was quite surprised to see the very divided debate online about the place. Some were saying it was expensive but, to me, it seemed very reasonably priced. The food itself garnered a lot of mixed reviews but I would say that, while it certainly isn't fine dining (more like street food and some of it is very much foods that are considered unhealthy treats in Korea), it was really tasty, though clearly adapted somewhat for local tastes. Don't let the online debate put you off, this sweet little family-run establishment is great. Order a few things and share them and you'll have a real treat. My brother and I got the <i>bulgogi kimbap</i>, <i>tteokbokki</i>, spicy noodles and fried dumplings between us and it was quite the feast.<br />
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BONUS: Love Is Art Atelier, 3 Strand Street Great, North City, Dublin 1, €€<br />
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This cute cafe, also near my office, is owned by a Korean couple and, while they don't serve Korean food, it is a very Korean-style cafe from the interior to the way things are served. Adorable and very Instagram-friendly, I'm only sad that work prevents me from just hanging out here all day.<br />
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So, there you have it, a rather decisive list of where to get yo' hands on Korean food in Ireland and my thoughts on each! 잘 먹겠습니다!<br />
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-6711406421364169562018-01-20T05:02:00.002-08:002018-01-20T05:02:42.095-08:00The Hero Skincare Products That Have Saved My Skin This Winter... (ft. Pestle & Mortar, & Other Stories, Alpha-H Liquid Gold, and Ingenious Beauty Ultimate Collagen+)I'm a pretty warm person, physically (though I'd like to think emotionally, as well!) but I work with two Italians (well, an Italian and a Sicilian) and they cannot hack the cold at all. So, for forty hours a week during the winter, I am blasted with central heating. Last year it was bad but, this year, it has wreaked positive havoc on my skin. I'm not quite sure why. Perhaps, it is simply because I am older and my skin is already producing less natural oils (happens to all of us as we age) or because it has been <i>rather </i>cold this year. Who knows? Either way, the result is unhappy skin.<br />
<br />
Seriously, seriously unhappy skin.<br />
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Normally, I get one eyelid (always an eyelid and always one, for whatever reason) that becomes incredibly dry and, as a result, sensitive and angry. However, this year, my skin was not only dry and unhappy, it was visibly dehydrated and liney (okay, I think only I noticed this part - I've been told by older relatives to feck off about "wrinkles" but they're already coming for me, I swear!).<br />
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Then, to make matters worse, holiday indulgences over Christmas were a real shock to my system, which had become accustomed to a fairly regimented life of mostly (I'll never be perfect or even very good) good behaviour. Look, you don't say "no" to my Mam's cooking.<br />
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It simply isn't <i>done</i>.<br />
<br />
Cue some congestion in my t-zone and some especially bad hormonal breakouts (during the two - yes, two - times I was attacked by menstruation in December).<br />
<br />
The result? Very sad, very angry, very moody, spotty, dry skin. I couldn't ignore the fit my face was throwing and had to step up my game when it came to winter skincare. Thankfully, some great products came into my life and an old favourite came back into play, to save the day. These guys really did rescue my skin.<br />
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1. <a href="https://www.stories.com/ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">& Others Stories</a> Punk Bouquet Mini Hand Cream,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">€5</span></span> (not available online but I've found it in store before)<br />
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This wee gem is only 5 quid, is perfect for popping in your handbag and is a delicious-smelling (cruelty-free) dupe of the Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille scent. There are probably more effective hand creams on the market but this smells so good that I remember to apply it more regularly to my chapped paws.<br />
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2. <a href="https://alpha-h.com/products/products/specialty-solution/liquid-gold-rose.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rose</a>, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">€42</span><br />
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My mam got this as a sample in her M&S advent calendar and I nicked it as I've wanted to try it out for a while now. Normally, I wait two months (at least) before talking about a skincare product but I can't help it. I'm in love with the stuff! The very next day after I used it, my expression lines in my forehead (my biggest concern) looked less pronounced and less on-the-way-to-wrinkles-territory. It's helped almost entirely rid the bumpies and congestion from my t-zone, as well. Colour me thoroughly impressed!<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.pestleandmortar.com/product/hyaluronic-acid/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum</a>, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">€43*</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The kind peeps over at Pestle & Mortar actually sent this to me to try out (with the below as a gift set, which can be bought at a special price of </span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">€86 </span></span><a href="http://www.pestleandmortar.com/product/gift-set/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">) just before Christmas. I've now been using them for around a month and a half (breaking my own rules again, I know!) and I genuinely think they are largely responsible for saving my skin this winter. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This serum goes so far! I've been very generously applying it on the daily and haven't made that much of a dent in the bottle, considering. I was in serious need of some hyaluronic acid in my routine again and this is the perfect product to inject it back in. I pat some into my skin around ten minutes before I moisturise (when I'm really on it with my routine), using about three drops from the pipette, and it absorbs super-fast.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <a href="http://www.pestleandmortar.com/product/hydratebestmoisturiserfrompestlemortar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Moisturiser</a>, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">€48*</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Then I follow up with two pumps of this guy. By the end of the two steps, my skin feels bouncy, dewy and peppy again!</span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BONUS: </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.ingeniousbeauty.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ingenious Beauty Ultimate Collagen+</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">€42*</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This guy is a "bonus" because I'm not sure. When I attended a press meeting about it, it was bigged up majorly and I was super-excited to try it and start ingesting some collagen on the reg. However, the kinds of results I was told about didn't quite happen. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I think that maybe I wasn't taking them for long enough to really see the effects. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">However, just before Christmas, I wasn't about buy more and to spend 60 quid on supplements for myself! I do really like collagen as an ingredient but, for the amount of money this costs, I didn't quite see the results. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">In saying that, I was taking them when my skin started to get better so, who knows? I'd be keen to try them for longer and see but the post-Christmas financial situation isn't much better so that'll have to wait. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Either way, even though I'm still on the fence about this product, for honesty's sake, I <i>was</i> using it when my skin started to improve so I had to include it in this post!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Thankfully, this combination of things seems to have worked and my skin isn't quite summer-happy but it's getting better and, for now, that's good enough.</span><br />
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(The products marked with a "*" were gifted to me as press samples but this is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.)<br />
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</span>Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-21074296601615490112018-01-15T11:14:00.001-08:002018-03-16T08:16:06.307-07:00Getting my Aligners From Your Smile Direct - How They Look, The Amount of Pain and The Lisp(?)Pretty much a month ago, I posted about <a href="https://www.yoursmiledirect.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Smile Direct</a> and how we had begun working together (<a href="http://wide-eyedandblind.blogspot.ie/2017/12/affordable-orthodontic-treatment-with.html" target="_blank">read that for more information on the brand and how their treatment works</a>). I went to their Dublin office and had a 3D scan done of my mouth to create my aligners and treatment plan. They then sent me the proposal for my approval and, having seen the incredible progress they hoped to make with my teeth, I decided to go ahead and try it out.<br />
<br />
For context, I have had traditional braces before, as a teen, but I didn't wear my retainers properly afterwards and my teeth pretty much shifted back into their original position - much to my shame, given the investment into my orthodontistry that my parents had made. I was already considering trying out Your Smile Direct, as a far more affordable way to fix my silly mistake, when they contacted me. It was kind of like fate. The treatment itself costs 70% less than traditional methods and works out at 4 installments of €399 each or one once-off payment of €1499. So, it really is a good option for people who have always wanted to have their teeth straightened but weren't quite able to afford it.<br />
<br />
I was under the misconception that you made your first payment and then they sent out your first aligner, with each of the following being sent out accordingly. However, you actually receive a box with all of your stages of aligners at once, which makes far more sense, tbh.<br />
<br />
My personal plan will last about 5 months, with each aligner being worn for two weeks before moving on to the next one, moving my teeth into position little by little with each new aligner. At the end of the whole process, I will have to wear my retainer all day for 6 months and then at night, thereafter, to maintain the results.<br />
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This morning, I put the first ones in and began my journey.<br />
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My initial feelings are that it is rather uncomfortable - not unbearable but it'll take some getting used to. Luckily, I don't have quite the lisp that my braces gave me, just a wee touch of one. Putting them in and taking them out is very easy - if not a little gross and messy. I also have quite the case of dry mouth, which I read can happen but may actually be for the best as it is forcing me to up my water intake - something I needed to do anyway! On the plus side, however, they are utterly unnoticeable when I'm wearing them, which is great!<br />
<br />
Honestly, I'm a little worried about the discomfort right now, it's fine during the day, when I'm working, but I hate anything getting in the way of being utterly relaxed in my downtime. That's me being a bit of a baby, I suppose, and I'm sure I will get used to it. Either way, I'm gonna stick this thing out and let you all know how it goes, each step of the way!<br />
<br />
To see if it will work for you, check out this <a href="https://orders.yoursmiledirect.com/ie/assessment?utm_source=Colette%20Fitzpatrick&utm_medium=Instagram&utm_campaign=Ireland%20Influencer%20Campaign" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link</a>.<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-22181472431517801092017-12-20T16:33:00.000-08:002017-12-20T16:33:29.300-08:00Love Letters To Dublin: 10 Of The Best Places To Grab A Drink In The City Over ChristmasOkay, up front, my idea of a good place to get a drink might not match everyone's tastes.<br />
<br />
First of all, I can't really drink much anymore. I tap out early nowadays and suffer the next day even if I only have a couple.<br />
<br />
Because of this, it's majorly about quality over quantity for me and I'm okay with spending a bit more. Therefore, this list features very few inexpensive options but it does boast choices of venues where the drinks are excellent and the atmosphere is second to none (and, in my opinion, that's worth paying for) but the price tag matches the sense of luxury.<br />
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That being said, Christmas is the time of year when everyone comes home and you have loads of people to meet up with. If you're looking for a nice place to bring them - especially pals who might now live abroad and not know where to go - then these are some great choices. And, of course, if you are planning on visiting Dublin at all, no matter the time of year, these are locations that I always love.<br />
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In no particular order, we have...<br />
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1. <a href="https://dollardandco.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dollard & Co.</a>, 2-5 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar<br />
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Let's get one thing straight, I don't rate the food here. I've been much less than impressed by it in the past. <i>However</i>, I <i>am </i>a fan of browsing the grocery store section for foodie picks (their frozen Vegan foods selection is one of the best in the city and the booze section is pretty on point as well) and it's a nice place to get good gelato, meet a friend for coffee and cake or, better still, grab a quiet drink. Timing is important. A weekday evening is the perfect time, not empty but not too busy and a place to have a polite conversation over a glass of wine, without having to compete with obnoxiously loud music or feel your way around in the dark (I'm aware that I'm a grumpy old man). Drinks aren't cheap (a glass of wine is just under 7 quid) but the setting is nice, well-lit and perfect for a catch-up.<br />
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2. <a href="https://robertas.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roberta's</a>, 1 Essex St E, Temple Bar<br />
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While in the area, if you're more interested in a cocktail, Roberta's is a good option. Again, it isn't cheap (it is in Temple Bar, though, so I wouldn't expect bargains) and I've heard rather mixed things about the food (though the fries we were given on the house to accompany our drinks were pretty damn good - not sure if this always happens) but the cocktails are great. And, once again, the location is super stylish. For seriously elegant cocktail bar vibes, it's one of the better choices in town and the glass ceiling over the bar means that it is a wonderful sunny location during summer evenings, in particular.<br />
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3. <a href="https://theliquorrooms.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Liquor Rooms</a>, 6-8 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar<br />
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(I swear to God that this is not sponsored by the company that owns all three of these picks so far, though, if you're interested guys, my rates are very reasonable) The Liquor Rooms are one of my all-time favourite bars in the city. A mixture between a speakeasy and your granny's sitting room, it is located underneath the Clarence Hotel and serves up some of the finest cocktails in the city. I'm obsessed with their menu of drinks named after and inspired by amazing women from Irish history, which is a thing of beauty in its own right and features beautiful illustrations and information about the women in question. In fact, I may have nicked one of the menus while drunk one time...heh...heh. But, for reals, cool-ass vibes and delicious drinks aplenty. Again, again, timing is key (the atmosphere can be weird and it can be way too packed late on a weekend night) but if you pop in and it isn't jammers, stick around and fork out the extra few quid it'll cost you to drink here as it is well worth it. I recommend the Tread Softly, which is inspired by Maude Gonne and is adorably served in a vintage teacup.<br />
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4. <a href="https://www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Westbury</a>, Balfe St<br />
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Okay, so maybe none of my picks are anyway cost effective...oops.<br />
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I just really like fancy bars and, really, any part of the Westbury is a lovely place for a drink. Balfe's restaurant downstairs is great for a light bite with some wine (get a charcuterie board and sit outside under the heaters and you may trick yourself into believing you are in warmer climes). Wilde is a stunning dining experience with a wee bar outside it for waiting for your table. The bar itself is a classic Dublin institution. But, for me, it's all about the lobby. Get a table and couch, a truly excellent mulled wine (the best I've had after my mother's) and cosy up with a friend for long chats in the most luxuriously comfortable setting. Just don't expect speedy service. But that's okay, you'll want to loaf around.<br />
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5. <a href="http://balfes.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Balfe's</a>, Balfe St<br />
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Worth its own mention, separately. Seriously, get the boards to share with a friend and a glass of wine, embrace continental living and forget your responsibilities for a few minutes...you'll thank me later, once you feel like you were on the Costa Azzurra for a couple of hours.<br />
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6. <a href="https://yamamori.ie/yamamori-izakaya/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yamamori Izakaya</a>, 12/13 South Great George’s Street<br />
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If you want Japanese beer on tap, black and white Japanese films playing on all the screens and Japas (Japanese tapas - or small plates of Japanese dishes), then Izakaya is the one for you. This George's Street bar, located underneath and connected to the restaurant of the same name serves up great food, great beers and some mean lemonades that can be made into alcoholic lemonades. Once again, it is a bit of an escape, transporting you away from Dublin for a while and much as I love the city, we could all do with that from time to time. My personal picks from the menu are the Kirin Ichiban on tap (in the giant glass that makes me feel teeny), the Ginger Lemonade with a shot of whiskey and the gyoza.<br />
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7. <a href="https://www.centralhoteldublin.com/library-bar.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Library Bar</a>, Exchequer St<br />
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A little further down the street and around the corner from Izakaya, in the Central Hotel, you'll find Library Bar. Like the Liquor Rooms, it's a little like your granny's living room but a lot quieter, calmer, less hip but incredibly elegant in a charmingly old fashioned and worn-in kind of way and impossibly cosy. This isn't where you come for innovative drinks or wild selections of craft beers or for the 'gram. This is the type of place to go to if you really want to sit back, relax and enjoy good company in a truly pleasant setting.<br />
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8. <a href="https://www.themarkerhoteldublin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Marker</a>, Grand Canal Square, Docklands<br />
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Somewhat similar is The Marker, or at least its lobby, in that it is a pleasantly chill place to curl up and catch up with someone. The bestie and I went there a few weeks ago, draped my blanket scarf over our legs and stuffed ourselves with fried food and cocktails. Here you will get those shots for the 'gram (between the architecture and the drinks) but you'll also have a chill evening of it. I've never actually been to the rooftop bar (I don't do queues, if I can help it) but I get the feeling that it's a lot buzzier and busier, by comparison so it's the lobby all the way, for me.<br />
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9. <a href="https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiokcTjoYXXAhXoDcAKHXvYAMQQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brownthomas.com%2Fbe-inspired-style-features%2Fgreen-bean-cafe%2F&usg=AOvVaw1uPMtyeSTgLwZwvo3KB0dO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Green & Bean</a>, Brown Thomas, Grafton Street<br />
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These last two picks are a little unorthodox, I'll admit but they are two of my absolute favourite places to get a drink. The first is Green & Bean, located in Ireland's premier luxury department store, Brown Thomas, it is a pretty So-Cal-inspired cafe. While not a bar, it is a great place to grab an excellent Rosé either over brunch on the weekend or after work on a late-opening Thursday. My personal favourite combo? Wine and cake and a good friend.<br />
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10. <a href="https://lighthousecinema.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lighthouse Cinema</a>, Market Square, Smithfield<br />
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I LOVE the Lighthouse Cinema. I'd live there if I could. Not only do they show excellent films and host wonderful film festivals, but its also a great place to grab a drink. Either bring a beer into a film with some freshly-made popcorn or, do like me and Sarah, and go see an arthouse movie that will emotionally devastate you and then have to spend two hours drinking on the seats built into the stairs to recover.<br />
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So, if you're catching up with good people over Christmas, keep these ideas for venues to grab a drink in mind and thank me later (your wallet might not do the same, though).<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-48010606938144685802017-12-19T10:28:00.000-08:002017-12-19T10:28:54.551-08:00A Farewell from one Colette to another: 24 Hours In Paris "Fuck it. Why not?"<br />
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It's been a year of that for me. Saying yes. Living in the moment. Spending my time outside, with friends and family and great people, all the time, instead of at home being a reclusive nerd. It was exhausting at times, I'll admit, but it was endlessly rewarding. I'll likely calm down in the New Year (about damn time) and not plan out every second of my life but I don't regret living that way for a year. I've strengthened bonds and done fun things and been new places and, sometimes, I've been spontaneous in the way that I've always wanted to be. Which is how I ended up booking a 24 hour trip to Paris, simply to say goodbye to a clothing store.<br />
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<a href="http://www.colette.fr/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colette</a> closes its doors for good tomorrow and when I found that out, I was impossibly sad. It was the end of the era. The end of one of the coolest boutiques the world has ever known. I was never going to take another goofy photo underneath the sign, pointing up and grinning over our shared names. I would never again marvel over cool things I couldn't afford in the store or pick out a magazine from the incredibly hip curation of publications or wonder if getting one of the lucky bags was worth it. I wouldn't get to say goodbye.<br />
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I briefly entertained flying in for a visit to say my farewells but a browse of the websites of the airlines connecting Paris and Dublin made it apparent that it would be far too expensive. I moved on with my day, gradually coming to think that the whole idea was silly in the first place. Flying into another country for a day to say goodbye to a shop? What kind of madness was that? I forgot about the whole thing.<br />
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Then, some weeks later, Ryanair announced a sale on their site and I looked again, out of curiosity. 56 quid return journey. Doable. The price of taking a train to Galway for a night...I contacted a friend to see if he could put me up for the night and, suddenly, an hour later, my mad trip to Paris to say goodbye to a clothing store with the same name as me was happening.<br />
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When I told people, they frowned in confusion or laughed and waved a hand at me like, 'Oh, Colette, you're so silly'. My best and most supportive friend cheered me on for going for it. I didn't really care either way. It was something I wanted to do and I hated the idea of the store being gone forever and my <i>regret</i> at never having seen it again, at not being able to change that if I didn't go for it, at not being brave enough to say, "Fuck it. Why not?" one last time this year.<br />
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Cue Thursday last week and landing at Beauvais just before 11. I cursed Beauvais many times over the trip (as I always do, that goddamn shed) and flying there did cause several ordeals, even if it <i>was </i>the <i>only</i> viable option. An hour's bus to Paris, the confusion of trying to remember where the Metro station was at Porte Maillot, being mistaken for a local by several people who tried to ask me for directions in French, shaking my head wildly as I tried to remember what French hasn't melted out my ears over the years, finding the Metro, planning a route, discovering my stop was closed, getting off a the next stop in a panic, being unsure of how to proceed, stumbling across some Brits who turned out to be going the same way and finally ending up at my friend's house.<br />
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After all of that panicking, said friend welcomed me with Champagne (he'd gone to an acquaintance's vineyard and stocked up over the summer - as one does), fresh pastries and hours of conversation, despite the fact that we hadn't actually seen each other in years and the fact that he had work in the morning. While the whole trip was a little mad and fun and I got to hang around in Paris instead of going to work on a Friday, it was the people that made it for me.<br />
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When we finally went to sleep, I told him to wake me when he was leaving for work so I could say goodbye and thank again but the sweet baby angel that he is, he left me to sleep on until friend number two arrived. Said friend number two then acted as my guide for the day, having lived in the city for several years now. We rounded the corner and breakfasted outside with pastries and coffee (well, tea for me) as French schoolchildren shouted what English they could think of at us. So began one of the few times I've had 8 or more hours of unadulterated catch-up time with a pal as an adult and it was beautiful. It always is. You get to topics normally never broached and ideas you've barely ever even voiced to yourself before. We talked and walked all day so that, by the end of it, we were both hoarse and almost hobbling but it was worth it.<br />
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After exploring for an hour, we headed to Colette. It was abuzz with people though it has only just opened for the day but I expected as much. This was always the case, even when it wasn't days from closing permanently. We dashed around and I picked up a limited edition tee and a Glossier Cloud Paint (in Haze) and a small present for my blog wife. We marvelled at the Saint Laurent roller-skate heels and the courtyard full of Christmas trees and the cool books and wildly expensive things that we couldn't even identify. I got my last picture in front, though the name had been removed from over the door so I had to pose with the word "Colette" painted low on the window, between my legs. That, in of itself, was gas though and we laughed as people looked on, confused. I have few photos of myself where I'm genuinely laughing that I don't hate and while this one is definitely goofy, I quite like it.<br />
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After visiting the store, we went to the Medieval quarter of the city, Le Marais, strolling past the Pompidou, and had falafel in the place across the road from the "best in the world", as it didn't have a line, is apparently just as good (my friend had tried both) and the people inside weren't being as damn pushy. Then we wandered some more shops and the area more before heading to the Louvre. I really wanted to go to the Dior exhibition there but there was a two hour line and we were running short on time so, instead, we just went to the gallery proper. I had never been before and was pretty excited but we were exhausted by this point and each kept whining about our feet being tired. Despite this, it was fun to wander around, discuss art (and my favourite debate topic of the moment: Can memes be art?), and see the Venus de Milo, Da Vinci's "Virgin of the Rocks" (my favourite) and Raphael's "Baldassare Castiglione" IRL.<br />
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Then, sadly, time had well and truly run away from us and it was time to say goodbye so I got some food, headed back to Beauvais (ugh), stocked up on some Champagne in duty-free (yay) and embarrassed myself by trying to use my very poor Korean to tell the girl queueing in front of me that her bag was super cute (double ugh) and began the long-ass trip home.<br />
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Over in the blink of an eye but well worth it! I said my goodbye to a beautiful store that I loved, sure, and that was the reason for the trip but I got a lot more from it. Fondest memories were made and I was the kind of spontaneous that I normally only see in the (far too many) movies I have watched growing up. Life can actually be quite grand and magical in its own little ways sometimes, as long as you embrace it and just say, "Fuck it. Why not?"<br />
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-7295048753875329252017-12-17T15:48:00.000-08:002018-03-16T08:16:57.338-07:00Affordable Orthodontic Treatment With Your Smile Direct I was listening to my favourite podcast, <a href="https://www.myfavoritemurder.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Favourite Murder</a>, a few months ago when I first encountered an ad for, and the concept of, a mail-order orthodontic treatment service. Immediately, I was intrigued, as it claimed to offer straighter teeth at a fraction of the price of traditional orthodontic treatments, fewer to no trips to the actual orthodontist and fast, efficient service. Then, funnily, in the weird way that the universe works sometimes, I got an email a few days later from the Irish sister company, <a href="https://www.yoursmiledirect.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Smile Direct</a>. They were discussing working with bloggers on promoting their service and, as my retainers were too unbearably painful, my teenage orthodontic work had since all but reverted. I jumped at the chance to fix this and to try it out. I had considered seeking out a company and treatment option like it myself, anyway, and they were offering me the chance to trial the service, free of charge...what impeccable timing.<br />
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The process begins with a home impressions kit, which costs €99 and takes moulds of your teeth to help figure out how to proceed with your treatment. Or, if you can make it to their Stillorgan Clinic, you can get a scan done in-house, instead, for the same price. I opted for the latter and the whole experience was perfectly pleasant, considering. </div>
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Upon arrival, my orthodontist spotted me looking for the building in confusion, guessed that I was a patient and brought me up to the clinic. As I sat filling out the forms, he brought me a cup of tea (the first I'd had that day - the saviour!). The forms themselves were not overly long or complicated and the setting of the clinic is minimal, stylish and office-like (as opposed to hospital-like) enough that it makes the experience seem less intimidating for those who may be nervous of such things. The only thing, in fact, that put me ill at ease throughout the entire experience was the consent agreement that I was told to read and sign. I'm perfectly aware that such things present the worst-case, highly unlikely scenarios and I've signed plenty before (for my laser-eye surgery, for example) so I wasn't overly concerned but it was a wee bit alarming. As I say, however, it was the only blip in an otherwise smooth visit. </div>
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Once the forms were all signed, I went into an office where my orthodontist chatted to me politely to put me at ease (even going as far as to put on a K-pop playlist to distract me) and then the scanning process began. This process involves wearing a mouthpiece to keep your mouth wide open for a half hour while all of your teeth are mapped to produce a 3D model. It isn't exactly great fun but isn't unbearable or overly uncomfortable either. They've done a good job in making it as painless as possible. </div>
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Then, I headed on my merry way and, a week or so later, I was sent a treatment plan detailing how they hoped my teeth would look at the end, how long it would take (5 months) and how long each stage of the treatment would last. When you are sent your plan to review, you can either accept and go ahead or decline to pursue it. If you accept, you make your first payment and they send out your first aligner. Then you receive each of your following aligners accordingly, as promised in your treatment plan. Each aligner ensures a certain amount of movement so that, as you get each one, your teeth are straightened bit by bit. You must wear each one throughout the day, unless you are eating or drinking anything but water. In this case, you simply remove and then replace the aligner. At the end of the whole process, you receive a retainer to maintain the treatment. </div>
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The treatment itself costs 70% less than traditional methods and works out at 4 installments of €399 each or one once-off payment of €1499. So, as you can see, it is quite the bargain.</div>
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So far, I have to say that I have been incredibly impressed with the staff and service and am really delighted by the results we are aiming for. If my teeth look anything like it by the end, I'll be really happy. I'll continue to update you all throughout the experience so I hope you'll stick around for this journey with me! Check out <a href="https://orders.yoursmiledirect.com/ie/assessment?utm_source=Colette%20Fitzpatrick&utm_medium=Instagram&utm_campaign=Ireland%20Influencer%20Campaign" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Smile Direct</a> if you're interested in trying it out for yourself.</div>
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(This is not an ad or sponsored. My treatment is being provided free of charge by Your Smile Direct but all opinions are my own.)<br />
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Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-2206968876651385732017-12-10T15:07:00.000-08:002017-12-11T10:09:36.811-08:00How To Give Better Gifts + A Giveaway Worth over €150 (ft. Urban Decay, Urban Outfitters, Primark and more)Giving gifts can be tricky. I know a lot of people who hate it and genuinely buckle under the pressure of it. I've seen it damage relationships.<br />
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But that's not how things should be.<br />
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Gifting is one of my great joys in life. I love spending time, thinking and focusing on people I care about, one by one, and trying to find something that they will love. I don't always spend a lot of money and I don't always buy something at all. Hell, I don't even always get it entirely right but I do think that my gifts, generally, show people that I know them well and that I really thought about and considered them.<br />
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As so many struggle with finding the right thing, I thought I'd share some of my tips for getting better gifts, rather than giving specific gift ideas that might not apply at all.<br />
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1. <i>Think about the person</i><br />
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I know, I know. This seems so obvious, right? But I don't mean think about them like: "Oh, she's a woman. All women like perfume, right?" (NOTE: Perfume/cologne is never a good idea unless you know the person's favourite scent) or "He likes <i>Star Wars</i>, I'll buy him this Chewbacca mug" (NOTE II: If someone is really a fanatic and they don't have a house full of mugs, this is, actually, a good idea. See below for more discussion on these two examples).<br />
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When I say "think about them", I mean think about conversations you've had. Think about things they've said they really wanted or things they keep meaning to get for themselves or little indulgences they can't justify. For example, my friend once bought me a fancy candle for my birthday and I was really touched by it. He'd been around when his girlfriend (my BFF) and I had been discussing our love for the candles and how we couldn't buy them regularly because they were too damn expensive and, when he was buying her one as a treat, he picked one up for me as well. Similarly, I've been talking about buying a hair curler for years, but never got around to it. This year, my sister bought me one for my birthday as a surprise and I was genuinely delighted when I opened it.<br />
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2. <i>Do some recon</i><br />
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If you can't think of anything from conversations you've had, can't remember any childhood game they've mentioned or book they keep saying they want to read, go find out. Subtly probe for info or merely pay more attention when you hang out. Or ask people close to them who might know. I always check in with the aforementioned friend when buying for my bestie to make sure she doesn't have things or isn't getting them from someone else. <u>Make use of your sources</u>!<br />
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3. <i>Practical gifts aren't boring</i><br />
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Remember the example about the perfume? It's a dangerous gift if you don't know what the person likes but, if you happen to know their favourite one and that they might be running out soon, it is a super useful and thoughtful gift! Similarly, if someone has been complaining that someone in work nicked their mug and you know that they love Chewie, get them that mug!<br />
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Practical gifts aren't boring. It is so nice to receive a pricey skincare item that you always repurchase or a new kettle if yours is dying slowly. It means the person pays attention to you, your life and woes, and it saves you having to do it! However, <u>know your audience</u>. You don't want to be one of those cliches that gives someone a vacuum and ends up out on their arse outside on Christmas day. Conversely, if someone has always wanted a Dyson (pricey feckers) and loves to vacuum, it might be the perfect gift. It always depends on the person!<br />
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4. <i>Time is the best gift</i><br />
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I always say that getting <i>things</i> isn't always necessary. A voucher to go to the spa together or afternoon tea or the cinema or a gig is a lovely gift. It can be customised to their interests - if they're a foodie, have been dying for the release of a new film, love a band, need a day to relax etc - and it ensures that you get one-on-one, quality time together. Basically, it's two gifts in one!<br />
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5. <i>Be sincere (+ always accompany gifts with hand-written notes)</i><br />
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Some of the best things that I have given and received have been the notes that came with things (extra points if they're handmade as well as handwritten). Loving words mean a lot and can be things of great comfort to have around for lonely nights or hard days. Shiny baubles don't do the same for us.<br />
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If you're really trying your best, that comes across to most people. Just really consider the person that you are giving a gift to, try and get them something they'd really like, and you'll be alright. It doesn't have to be big or expensive. Wrap it nicely, accompany it with heartfelt words and tell them that they matter to you...<br />
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Speaking of which, you guys really matter to me! And I wanted to do a giveaway to thank y'all for reading my stuff throughout the year. Normally, I do "12 Days of Giftmas" or "5 Golden Gifts" with multiple giveaways but my November this year was crazy and those things involve a lot of work. I usually liaise with brands for weeks and weeks and email back and forth loads in advance to organise it. And then there's the photographing, writing and promoting each of those posts and the running and regulating of each of the giveaways. I'm sorry for not being organised enough to do all of that this year but I didn't want to do nothing either. So, instead, I have this one giveaway but it's a good 'un!<br />
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<u>Worth over €150, it includes:</u><br />
A €50 Primark Voucher<br />
<a href="http://www.allbeauty.com/ie/en/1177699-clarins-gifts-sets-lip-collection-value-set?abref=GoogleShoppingCsIe&utm_source=%7Badtype%7D&utm_medium=FREE&ref=%7Badtype%7D&&currency=EUR&country=23&gclid=CjwKCAiA07PRBRBJEiwAS20SIM4g1Q4tu8We_1gn_qeCJrL0u3OF8iDVvgwn_9S5Vjc9s4em1pgZlxoC3R0QAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Clarins Beautiful Lip Essentials Gift Set</a><br />
<a href="https://madisonmakeup.ie/contour/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Madison Makeup Contour Palette</a><br />
An Urban Outfitters baseball cap (<a href="https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/embroidered-heart-baseball-hat?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=061" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">similar here</a>)<br />
<a href="https://www.urbandecay.com/all-nighter-setting-spray-by-urban-decay/ud803.html?cgid=4_500#start=5&cgid=4_500" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray</a><br />
<a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/pixi-hydrating-milky-mist.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA07PRBRBJEiwAS20SINXMYZXGxiEQwD2jhh0zw7Bk5zYPXx52e05V8WDb_qFDzo0mXru1thoC2SkQAvD_BwE&campaignid=308156071&adgroupid=21664529671&network=g&device=c&keyword=pixi%20hydrating%20milky%20mist&placement=&creative=98044557511&ef_id=WevTNwAAAHOcUiAP:20171210223605:s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist</a><br />
<a href="http://www.boots.ie/sleek-makeup-brow-kit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Sleek Brow Kit (in the shade Light)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplyfoxy.com/makeup/flormar-long-wearing-lipgloss-l409-backstage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Flormar Long Wearing Lipgloss (in the shade Backstage)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sumita.com/product/eyeliner-pencil/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A mini Sumita Eye-liner Pencil (in the shade Black)</a><br />
A pair of Pieces faux pearl stud earrings<br />
A pair of Kurt Cobain style oval sunglasses (<a href="https://blank-sunglasses.com/product/kurt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">similar here</a>)<br />
<a href="https://www.inishpharmacy.com/p/tanorganic-oil-arganic-multi-use-dry-oil-100ml/400958" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A travel-size bottle of Oil Arganic dry oil from Tan Organic</a><br />
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To win all of this, simply leave a comment on any of the social media posts promoting this article (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcih5WBARYB/?taken-by=wideeyedandblind" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WideEyedAndBlind/photos/a.145275072276609.29865.144523055685144/1079424195528354/?type=3&theater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>) before the 24th of December 2017. The winner will be chosen at random and notified on the 25th of December 2017 and the prize will be sent out shortly thereafter. Sadly, this is giveaway will only open to readers based in mind, so keep this in mind before entering. Good luck and happy holidays!<br />
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-18684651145923515062017-10-31T11:08:00.000-07:002017-10-31T11:08:09.269-07:00Traditional Irish Hallowe'en Barmbrack Recipe With My Mammy! (@fitzwithfood)I never liked brack growing up. Similarly to Christmas cake, I didn't get why I'd choose a cake with <i>fruit </i>in it. It didn't make sense.<br />
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My palate has changed wildly in the last few years, though. I rarely order dessert out and don't crave sweets in the same way anymore. I love spicy food now and I'm always up for trying new things. And, somehow, in the midst of all this, brack slid into my preferences. I can't tell you when or why or how but I suddenly started ordering it over rich, chocolatey cakes whenever it was (rarely) on a menu in a cafe. This year, in particular, I've had a real thing for it and was dismayed at how few places were serving it; it's a staple traditional Autumn food in Ireland!<br />
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The options in supermarkets weren't much better: all unwieldy, big, cheap, packaged things with little soul. I wanted something fresh and homemade but it clearly wasn't going to happen. So, I suggested my mother and I finally do our collab and make our own brack (with her invaluable know-how) and show others how to do the same.<br />
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Mammy is a wonderful cook and baker, in particular. She always has been but she has only really indulged it in the past year or two, since my siblings graduated and she has had more emotional and physical space to focus on herself. At my encouragement, she started an Instagram profile to record her adventures in food, cooking and baking and it has become a passion project. Seeing her finally do something for herself and something she is so good at and interested in has been a joy and I had been wanting to collaborate beyond tagging her in things for a while now.<br />
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This weekend, we finally got to it. Here is our recipe for the perfect, loaf-style barmbrack - a traditional fruit-based Irish cake or sweet bread that is served around Hallowe'en and was used as a sort of fortune-telling game. Traditionally, different objects are placed inside and the person who gets a slice with that object would have the corresponding fortune (a pea for those who would not marry that year, a stick for an unhappy marriage, a cloth for poverty or bad luck, a coin for good fortune or wealth and a ring for those who would get married within the year) but we weren't interesting in that (slightly unsanitary) tradition. We were interested in the taste.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/38016378426/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4476/38016378426_08e30ae8a7_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<u>Ingredients:</u><br />
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225g of Self Raising Flour<br />
350g of Dried Fruit Mix<br />
300ml of cold Tea<br />
125g of Golden Caster Sugar<br />
1 Egg, beaten<br />
A good pinch of Mixed Spice<br />
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<u>Method:</u><br />
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1. Place a couple of tea bags in a mixing bowl, pour boiling water on top and brew for a few minutes. Then, remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.<br />
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2. Next, add the fruit mix, cover and leave to soak in the tea over night. Ignore the silly questions from your father and younger brother and tell them to leave the bowl alone. Hopefully, they will comply.<br />
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3. The next day, preheat the oven to 170°C. Add the sugar, egg, flour and mixed spice to the bowl with the fruit mix and mix well.<br />
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4. Grease and line a cake tin and pour in the mixture.<br />
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5. Cook for an hour until risen and firm to the touch. Be sure to listen to your mammy and not open the oven repeatedly throughout, as you are naturally prone to doing. Only check once, about halfway through the hour, if the tops are burning. If so, place some greaseproof paper on top to stop the situation from worsening.<br />
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6. Take out of the oven, cool on a wire rack and wait a while, until that cake has fully set and mostly cooled, before cutting. This will be hard as it smells <i>so good. </i><br />
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</i> 7. Serve slathered in Irish butter (don't be shy, worry about your heart later), with a nice cup of tea and don't let the banshee get you!<br />
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Thanks to my lovely mammy for helping me out with satisfying my desperate need for a good brack and collabing. It mostly involved us baking all day and laughing, which is the best kind of collab. Give her a follow at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fitzwithfood/" target="_blank">@fitzwithfood</a>, it'll make her happy and it'll satisfy your food porn needs for a while.<br />
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Happy Hallowe'en, y'all! x<br />
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-69909986139318775552017-10-23T10:52:00.000-07:002017-10-23T13:43:35.880-07:00Love Letters To Dublin: 10 Of The Most Instagrammable Cafés in DublinThis year, you may have noticed, I've stepped back from the blog a bit. I decided that I wanted to focus more on seeing the people I love or people I want to get to know better and not spend <i>all</i> of my free time at events, where I often feel like a spare part. Don't get me wrong, I've met great people through blogging and events. Events are still often very fun but the process of them can feel soulless, at times.<br />
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Instead, I've been penciling in time for my besties, family and people I've always liked that I wanted to get to know better (like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/withteethh/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ellie</a> and Emma, of <a href="http://olgreeneyes.blogspot.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ol' Green Eyes blog</a>). And to be honest, it's pretty fulfilling.<br />
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I've also been setting aside more quality time and breathing room for myself. Moments of calm can be rare, as I hate being idle, but the constant go-go-go of my life can be pretty draining.<br />
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One of the easiest and best things to do, whether I'm going on dates with pals, or simply with myself, is to spend time in a café. Dublin doesn't have quite the café culture that has long existed across other parts of Europe - you won't find the same blend of bar and coffeehouse or the long hours. The pub still reigns supreme here and cafés generally don't open past 5pm. However, chains have far from fully taken over and there are plenty of charming and unique little spots across the city.<br />
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Ambiance is a big part of why I choose to patronise a place and being "Instagrammable" or aesthetically pleasing is a part of that. While I wouldn't turn down good food for a nice picture, said picture is always a cherry on top and if you're paying inflated prices for tea (because if you don't touch coffee, like me, you at least want to be in nice surroundings, right?<br />
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Of course you do! So, here are ten of the most Insta-friendly coffee shops in Dublin.<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.potbelliedpig.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pot-Bellied Pig</a>, 15 Rathmines Road Upper<br />
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You know a place is cute when it is being scouted by magazines as a shoot location: that means it has won out over fancy hotels, manor houses, pretty landscapes or scenic corners of the city. Pot-Bellied Pig is a Pinterest dream, all Millennial pink and cheese plant prints. Their food is pretty excellent too. I've had brunch there twice now - once alone with a good book and a second time with my childhood best friend - and I've since replicated the meals I had, multiple times, at home. I will say that the brunch is a little pricey but if you're hankering for some good food and cute pics, they've got you covered. Oh, and if you want one of their famous blush pink velvet booths, I suggest you bring at least two other people as they've yet to allow me to sit in one. Also oh, be warned: the lighting actually isn't great so getting that perfect shot can be tricky. That booth by the window at the back, with the only decent natural light is my goal one day!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37867693221/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_5346"><img alt="IMG_5346" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/37867693221_086d830ffa_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.fivepointshx.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Five Points</a>, 288A Harold's Cross Road<br />
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From a cutesy place to a minimal gem, this newest branch of the beloved Five Points café was a wonderful addition to Harold's Cross. Particularly for me, as it is about a five minute walk from my place. Admittedly, I've yet to eat a proper meal there but I do love to pop in on a Sunday afternoon, just before closing and once the brunch crowds have dissipated, and spend an hour reading, catching up on work, doing my Korean homework or just chilling with a pastry and a tea. Bright, airy and devoid of too many tables clustered together (a personal pet peeve), it's the perfect spot to get your daily intake of caffeine and a well-lit shot of it, as well.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37157710194/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_5344"><img alt="IMG_5344" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/37157710194_2dfbe45d81_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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3. <a href="https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi97qSbk4XXAhVkD8AKHU04BvsQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffoamcafe.ie%2F&usg=AOvVaw0A39cQKoQJLAMd_9BYxXXl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Foam</a>, 24 Strand Street Great<br />
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Foam, meanwhile, is one of those rare beauties in Dublin. It stays open until 8 and, as a result, it is a regular after work hang-out spot for me. It's also really cool inside: a quirky, colourful, weird mixture of different wallpaper, works of art, mismatched tableware, lamps, couches and tables. There's plenty to see - from the cute to the truly bizarre - and they have a nice selection of cakes, teas, coffees and a full food menu as well. The downstairs is more formal dining and upstairs is a mixture of tables and chairs and sofas, which makes it the perfect spot to curl up and catch up with people.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37836438652/in/photostream/" title="32163523410_f58ba8c781_o"><img alt="32163523410_f58ba8c781_o" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4474/37836438652_41806d9d84_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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4. <a href="https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwipm6qRl4XXAhXGKMAKHYJ3DrkQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oolongflowerpower.ie%2F&usg=AOvVaw2Fn2OFsNGGsJZBPtlIJMKb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oolong Flower Power</a>, 4 Stephens Street Lower<br />
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Like Foam, Oolong Flower Power stays open late (until 9 or 10pm each day) and is a perfect spot for tea lovers, with hundreds to choose from. You can also get cakes, lunches and dinners but its the tea that is the big draw for me. While storing it in glass jars isn't great (I'm a bit of a fancy tea snob as I once worked in a high-end tea shop myself), it is great to have that kind of choice; from black to green, herbal to rooibos and all sorts of flavours and varieties of each. Plus, the big windows and marble tables make for some pretty shots.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/36837726172/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/36837726172_ca47f29980_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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5. Ladurée, 1-3 South William Street<br />
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Speaking of marble and pretty interiors, one can't help but mention Ladurée. While it <i>is</i> a chain and not unique to Dublin, the café is pretty damn adorable. Their hot chocolate is famous, apparently, and they are one of the few places in Dublin that does Madeleines. You can also grab their own blends of tea (the Marie Antoinette is my fave) and, of course, their iconic macarons, as well as alcoholic beverages (wine and cocktails) and full meals. If you have a pastel theme going on on your profile, it is a must.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37818714506/in/photostream/" title="IMG_5345"><img alt="IMG_5345" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4476/37818714506_a29fb9ea23_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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6. <a href="https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjN07yanIXXAhUnLcAKHf9PCvQQFgguMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpresscafe.ie%2F&usg=AOvVaw053PDoVuucWasMTSY7E3Fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Press Café</a>, National Print Museum, Haddington Road<br />
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Located in a pretty conservatory filled with mismatched furniture (for that charmingly eclectic touch) and plants, this café boasts a spacious, bright dining space and wonderful menu. Said menu features breakfast, brunch (Saturday and Sunday) and lunch options as well as plenty of drink (including Prosecco and wine) options. I can personally recommend the banana bread French toast but the entirety of the menu looks and sounds truly delicious. Probably one of the better cafés to choose if you're actually eating and plated so prettily it would be a crime not to 'gram it.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37867689121/in/photostream/" title="36042047713_f336e6f8a5_o"><img alt="36042047713_f336e6f8a5_o" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4507/37867689121_db90344ae4_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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7. <a href="https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiokcTjoYXXAhXoDcAKHXvYAMQQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brownthomas.com%2Fbe-inspired-style-features%2Fgreen-bean-cafe%2F&usg=AOvVaw1uPMtyeSTgLwZwvo3KB0dO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Green & Bean</a>, Brown Thomas, Grafton Street<br />
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Located in Ireland's premier luxury department store, Brown Thomas, Green & Bean is all So-Cal interiors, excellent Rosé, elegant vibes and an eclectic menu. Some items on the menu are pricey, as one might imagine, but if you pop in for a bit before closing on the late-opening Thursday, it's an excellent place to grab a glass of wine and cake for ultimate relaxation.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37867685371/in/photostream/" title="36016377264_4c83402e28_o"><img alt="36016377264_4c83402e28_o" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4505/37867685371_a963cc0f0c_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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8.<a href="http://www.bibis.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Bibi's Café</a>, 14A Emorville Avenue<br />
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Family friendly, cute and cosy, Bibi's has a limited menu but serves everything on very photogenic tableware and it's all damn tasty classics. The seats outdoors are a must, weather permitting, as you find yourself sitting out in a sunny spot on a quiet Dublin 8 residential street, tucked far from traffic. If you're catching up with a friend, this is a perfect spot to go uninterrupted and to feel utterly unhurried (though inside can be chaotic with groups and families for brunch at the weekend).<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37867701741/in/dateposted/" title="31889614124_644501cda0_o"><img alt="31889614124_644501cda0_o" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4509/37867701741_b03944bdb7_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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9. <a href="http://isabellasrathmines.wixsite.com/isabellas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Isabella's</a>, 268 Rathmines Road Lower<br />
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Isabella's is both a café and gelateria, which is an excellent combo. This is where you can get the tastiest vegan Chocolate gelato ever, stacks of pancakes, crepes, Belgian waffles, delicious milkshakes (or so I'm told, I'm not a fan), and a decent selection of tea and coffee. Simply decorated in warm wood and pastel tones, you can 'gram an ice-cream cone fully decked out with sweets, sprinkles, etc or a quiet brunch over crosswords and magazines with your wifey (like me).<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37157746674/in/photostream/" title="IMG_5347"><img alt="IMG_5347" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/37157746674_0b41546310_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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10. <a href="http://twofiftysquare.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Two-Fifty Square</a>, Williams Park<br />
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Finally, we have the lovely Two-Fifty Square. Tucked down a side-street, located inside a little house, this is seriously cute inside and out. The coffee is raved about, the food is delicious, it is spacious and bright and very cool. Basically, a perfect spot for grabbing coffee with a pal or brunch with a gang. And the food? As photogenic as it is tasty.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/129219031@N03/37867688911/in/photostream/" title="36711688251_2135810f22_o"><img alt="36711688251_2135810f22_o" height="600" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4458/37867688911_30c2e6e30d_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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So, now that you have these guys at hand as a list, get out and experience Dublin's own unique café culture!</div>
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<br />Colette Fitzpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12662447924491551745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909542823165428729.post-79222273534736581602017-09-24T16:28:00.001-07:002017-09-24T16:28:40.894-07:00AW17 Hair Trends with ViviscalI've raved about <a href="http://www.viviscal.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Viviscal</a> a lot in the past. Like, A LOT. I credit it for my naturally fine and thin hair suddenly being labelled as thicc by hairdressers as of a couple years ago. Shortly after this blog became a fashion <i>and </i>beauty blog, Viviscal was one of the first beauty brands I started working with. I began a round of their supplements and (now discontinued) serum and my hair was changed forever.<br />
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Viviscal quickly became my favourite haircare brand and I work with them frequently. Recently, I came away from an event with more supplements and they went into my samples pile for later perusal. When a good friend told me that she was having trouble with her hair due to stress caused by a very bad work situation, I immediately offered the supplements to her and she, too, came to swear by the brand. And, so, when I was told I could bring a plus one to their latest event, I instantly asked Kim along. It was a fashion showcase of hairstyles taken from AW17 runway shows and one of the best organised and most elegant events that I've been to in a while. </div>
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We arrived at the beautiful event space upstairs in the Cliff Town House, which was flooded with late evening light streaming through the big Georgian windows and grabbed some very pretty pink gin concoctions. Arriving with someone was a nice change for me as I don't mind flying solo at events (I often do or only pop in and out to fit them into my schedule) but can sometimes spend the whole thing watching the door and waiting for someone I know to arrive, while I stand in a corner, stuffing my face. This time I had a partner in stuffing my face!</div>
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Then came the actual show, done by the team at Brown Sugar and lead by their founder, Mark O'Keeffe. It featured looks from the AW17 shows of the likes of Chanel, Balmain, Paul & Joe, Jeremy Scott, Versace, Balenciaga and Prada. All of the looks themselves were actually fairly simplistic. However, the health and shine of the hair, however, were more important and the key to their success. There could be no better brand to present them, therefore, than Viviscal.</div>
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One of my personal favourites was the Regal Pony, as had been showcased at JW Anderson and Alexander McQueen. A long, sleek and exceptionally equestrian pony that must be neatly slicked back, the Viviscal Densifying Elixir proves to be an essential in its construction as it is perfect for taming fly-aways and smoothing the hair. Another look that caught my eye was a loose mid-length waves hairstyle, that reflected what was seen at Balenciaga, Prada and Céline, among others. Pretty but casual, it is a look that is all about an easy-breezy appeal that is anything but easy achieve for me but probably not so hard for others - heated tools and I don't hang out very often so I'm not very good with them. But, if you have been using or are going to use heat on your hair, Viviscal supplements and products are really useful for maintaining the strength and health of it. Natural hairstyles dominated runways and the best way to have naturally beautiful hair, is to take care of it. </div>
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I often like products but I rarely swear by them, however, I readily swear by Viviscal. It really, really works and while trends come and go, healthy hair is always stylish. Check out the pictures below for AW17 hairstyle inspiration but check out Viviscal's range of products for better hair x</div>
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