The Tribal Trend - Penneys Has It Sorted

Tribal prints are all over the highstreet. Designers such as Donna Karen, Proenza Schouler and Michael Kors all included ethnic patterns in earthy tones in their Spring/Summer collections and thankfully the highstreet took note and hey presto - lovely affordable replicas! River Island has some wonderful tribal pieces but Penneys of course is way ahead of the game. Tribal prints adorn dresses, playsuits and cropped trousers and the traditional and much loved ethnic pattern, animal print, also features.

This playsuit caught my eye due to its unusual colour, it really stood out among all the browns, rusts and creams and at just €9 I couldn’t say no!

You might think tribal is a difficult trend to wear but keep it simple. I have seen matching blazers and trousers in shops and girls wearing clashing prints but I personally wouldn't be a fan of that bold look. To ease yourself into the trend, accessories are a good place to start - think printed clutches, wooden platform sandals and statement jewellery incorporating wood, beads and metals.

                                 Playsuit – Penneys/Primark (available in store now)
                                             Necklace – Penneys/Primark (available in store now)
                                             Sandals – River Island

A Retro Night Out: The Friday Picture Show At Denzille Cinema

Deciding where to go on a first date requires some skill. Sussing out your dates likes and dislikes can be tricky if you've just met them a few nights before. I found myself in this position last week and it's not a position I like to be in. I'm an old fashioned gal at heart and believe that the gentleman should decide what to do on the first date. However, my date being a typical Irish man was extremely laidback about the whole affair yet he didn't seem impressed with my suggestion of a few drinks in our local. Seeing as drinks were deemed boring; I realised I was dealing with a rare breed of male - the high maintenance type.  Right, it was time to pull out the big guns!

                                         'The local boozer will simply not do Miss Bennet'

Searching the internet I soon came across The Friday Picture Show which is a new monthly film night that takes place in Denzille Cinema, Dublin 2. As it was Friday the 13th they were showing two classic horror films. I instantly loved  this - anything remotely vintage floats my boat and when a smattering of creepiness is thrown in I'm laughing. Well not really, I'll be cautiously checking under my bed later on but you know what I mean! Himself looked up both films and seemed happy enough.

Denzille Cinema is located on 13 Denzille Lane and is Dublin's only private cinema. As I had never been there I thought it might be difficult to find but it's just behind Trinity College. If you know the O' Callaghan Alexander Hotel or The Gingerman pub it is literally just a few steps away. We were welcomed warmly by The Friday Picture Show staff and invited into the cinema's reception area where you can purchase wine or beer for €5.

The cinema seats just 30 people and it’s an intimate and very appropriate setting for such an event. I must admit I felt quite arty being there! The films screened were Carnival of Souls (1962) and Eyes Without A Face (1959). Directed by Herk Harvey Carnival of Souls is considered a cult classic. Candice Hilligoss plays Mary, a young woman who is the sole survivor of a car accident. She leaves town shortly after the accident to take a job as a church organist. En route, she becomes haunted by a mysterious phantom figure (played by Harvey himself) and feels strangely drawn to an abandoned lakeside pavilion. Set to an organ score, Carnival of Souls relies more on atmosphere than special effects to create a mood of unease and foreboding.

Eyes Without a Face (Les Yeux Sans Visage) directed by Georges Franju tells the story of the brilliant Dr Genessier, whose beautiful daughter was horrifically maimed in a car accident. Obsessed with trying to restore his daughter’s beauty, Genessier sends his assistant out at night to entrap young women whose faces he needs for his sinister surgery. Although the film passed through the European censors, its release caused huge controversy.

I really enjoyed both films but my favourite was Eyes Without A Face. Despite the macabre scenes, which are tame by today’s standards but still a little shocking, it oozes French glamour. There are some shots of Paris and both films contain gorgeous fashion and retro cars. There was a short interval between films and at this stage both myself and himself were starving. Unfortunately there were no nibbles to be had at the cinema but thankfully there's a lovely off license across the street called Probus Wines. Not only do they stock the usual popcorn and crisps but they have a little deli selling delicious stuffed peppers and olives.

If you’re looking for an alternative night out I’d thoroughly recommend The Friday Picture Show. Every month they’ll be showing classics and forgotten favourites spanning a broad range of styles and eras for just €10.

Check out their website: http://fridaypictureshow.com/

And my date? Well, lets just say I'm still single!

Beauty Tutorial: Pink And Gold Nails Perfect For Spring/Summer

Pastel coloured nails dominated the spring 2012 runways. Armani, Marc Jacobs and Chanel sent their models out sporting nails dipped in creamy beiges, soft lemons and rose pinks. I've recreated this feminine look but by putting my own spin on it - adding a sparkly gold making it a little less demure. I've used Essence nail polishes which I love. Their wearability is just as good as other budget brands such as 17 and Rimmel  and at just €1.29 a pop you can throw two or three into your shopping basket without feeling too guilty.

Left to right: Essence Nude Glam in 04 Iced Latte, Essence Colour & Go in 50 Irreplaceable, Essence Gel-Look Topcoat

I started by putting on a base coat, currently I'm using Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Base & Top Coat. Then I applied two thin coats of the nude polish letting it dry completely between coats. This helps prevent chipping. Next I applied the gold polish; using small vertical strokes I covered just the tips of the nails. After this dried I applied the gel-look topcoat. This gives a really glossy shine, much better than the Sally Hansen.

Beauty Review: L’Oréal Elvive Nutri-Gloss Crystal Shampoo

If you're a fan of the L’Oréal Elvive range you will probably be familiar with Nutri-Gloss, the pink bottle that promises mirror shine and cashmere touch. Well now L’Oréal has released Nutri-Gloss Crystal, a shampoo and conditioner that actually sparkle. I admit I let out a little yelp when I spotted this in Boots a few weeks ago; it immediately reminded me of my first Barbie - Glitter Hair Barbie. I was never a true Barbie disciple but when you have four sisters you tend to remember toys that were handed to you brand spanking new and Glitter Hair Barbie was the epitome of early 90's cool. With her bleach blonde hair, tight neon clothes and sun visor she looked like an extra on Saved By The Bell.

L’Oréal claim Nurti-Gloss Crystal is enriched with micro-crystals that leave hair sparkling with up to 50% more shine from the first wash. However, I used it several times and so did my sister and unfortunately we ended up like poor old Glitter Hair Barbie - with more sparkles on our faces than our hair. Yes that's right, I didn't see any increased shine to my hair but my forehead was glowing! Nutri-Gloss Crystal may look pretty but it's messy. My advice is to stick to the plain Nutri-Gloss range.

How To Create: A Floral Headpiece

With spring coming to a close the daffodils, tulips and bluebells that once filled every park and garden are slowly receding. This and the fact that girl of the moment Lana del Rey has made floral headpieces her signature look inspired me to make my own. There are some lovely headpieces already stocked in the shops for festival season, New Look has a very pretty range, but I decided to make mine with fresh flowers.  It may only last one day but it’s authentic and purse friendly. Just don't rob your neighbour's prize blooms! If you find using fresh flowers too tricky try glueing artificial flowers to a plain plastic hair band.

You will need - a selection of flowers, wire that bends easily, rose wire, measuring tape, floristry stem tape or ribbon, sellotape, scissors, pliers (not pictured).

Measure and cut the bendy wire, approximately 65 cm should be enough. Place around your head, it's better to be slightly too big than too small. Twist the ends together to form a circle.

Take the floristry stem tape or ribbon and twist it around the wire until it's covered. Secure at intervals with sellotape.

    Cut the flowers leaving at least half an inch of stem.

Using pliers cut the rose wire into 1 inch pieces. Pierce the stems with the wire and then bend the ends creating a U shape.

Arrange the flowers on the headband. Secure in place by twisting the wire around the headband. Make sure you use the pliers to cut off any excess wire or you could end up with quite a sore head!

Voilà! A beautiful and original fresh floral headpiece. 

                    

Spring/Summer Fashion Inspired By Lana Del Rey

                                     T-shirt - Asos (available online now)
                                                   Jeans - H&M
                                                   Shoes - Mel (stocked in Schuh)
                                                   Earrings - Topshop

Like her or hate her, you have to admit Lana del Rey is one gorgeous looking woman. Her style is quintessentially vintage Americana, just on the right side of tacky. When I saw this Hollywood t-shirt on Asos, almost identical to Lana's, I had to have it. In her song 'Video Games' she purrs, 'I heard that you like the bad girls, honey', and dressed like this I feel like I should be sitting in a 1950 Cadillac Coupe de Ville with a beautiful man drinking Jack Daniels by the neck! 

To recreate her retro look think high waisted bottoms, bare midriffs, cat eye sunglasses and chunky gold jewellery.