Black & White // Lookbook

I've been playing around with my Instagram lately to make something more interesting and visually cohesive and engaging, which led to my doing blocks of colour. While this is limiting and a pain in the butt sometimes, it challenged me, got my creative juices flowing again and I shot the bulk of my favourite images of the year in the past few weeks. I particularly hit my stride with the images I recently shot in black and white and, somehow, started to dress in the same way I was picturing things. This invariably meant I ended up with lots of cool and striking outfit shots and self-portraits that I didn't have anything to do with as I don't like flooding my Instagram with just images of myself.

Ergo, this black and white lookbook with outfit photos as well as images I drew inspiration from at the time. Think minimal colour, silhouettes, graphics and prints doing the talking, sleek, boyish vibes and a mixture of references from Christian Slater in Heathers to hiphop meets goth.

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Wedding Outfit

Over the weekend, my cousin married her long-time boyfriend and my family and I attended. The setting in Rathsallagh was picturesque and charming, the food was great, there was plenty of craic and I got to catch up with relatives I hadn't seen in ages!

The only outfit photos from the day come from late that night and the chaos of the lights hints at a certain amount of...giddiness...at the time. Not your typical wedding attire, I went for something less obvious that I would be comfortable in. I knew teetering in heels and worrying about flashing people in a skirt were too much for someone as uncoordinated as I, so I played on my love of androgyny and simplicity instead. The palette is limited to black and white and, for anything bar a wedding I would have gone all white instead. But I do bow to some social convention and didn't want to upset anyone or create any drama (no matter how minor) by wearing white. So, instead of donning my white blazer, I threw this black Lennon Courtney coat over a sheer Topshop cami and a pair of white brocade D.E.C.K. by Decollage pants. The Deena and Ozzy boots from Urban Outfitters stressed me out a tad as I thought they were too non-weddingy. But the heel is height-giving and walkable! How could I say no? And it turned out that it all came together as urban, modern, clean and androgynous with just enough and just a touch of bite. Minimalist silver COS earrings were my only jewellery and a vintage wicker bag completed the look, nodding to the season. Hair and makeup was kept easy, natural and fuss free.

The bride, I should mention, looked radiant in a simple figure-skimming Sharon Hoey gown with detachable sheer sleeves and a low back. Her hair was set in soft waves and tumbled over shoulder. Congrats, Niamh and Paul - may your lives together be long and full of every joy.

Preparations, libations and failed nail transformations from the night before

Car selfie.

Actual nails - only colour in le outfit.

Short post today. I was rather busy coming up with article ideas for a possible job...fingers crossed! 

More black and white. You kinda lose out on the soft palate of colours in today's outfit - coral jumper, floaty white dress, nude shoes and pink bag - but I just really love the quality of b&w! I'll probably return to some colour soon but for now just bear with me and let me have my fun!

Some of my beautiful shoes...including the Stellas...sigh...so gorgeous.

James being a Soviet Hipster.

Daddy salvaging some broken Chanel sunglasses.