Fashion Floor Fillers

2014 til Now.. What happened to Fashion Floor Fillers?

2021-10-11T12:28:00.003+01:00

Well, it has been a while....

I'm not really sure where to begin to explain why I left or why I've come back. But I'll give you the short version.

2014: I got a bit bored and annoyed by my constant shopping and feeling like I needed to keep up with fast fashion and headed for a more slow approach and wanted to re-brand to a more sustainable image. The name 'Fashion Floor Fillers' came from my constant mess of clothes all over my floor, and I wanted to get away from that. I guess I felt like I needed a new name, but in all honesty, I've never loved a blog name as much since. That was my original baby. And I have thought about it and my regular readers constantly since making the change.

I made the transition to my new blog, Dream Love Style, all on my own, and lost a LOT of links and couldn't work out ho to redirect from my old blog to my new blog. So I was starting at square one again. I made this transition while I was spending 3 months in Berlin as part of my university degree.

2020: Lockdown happened and I finally bit the bullet and transitioned AGAIN.. I turned my blog into more of a styling business and now I work more 1:1 with clients and helping them to build their dream wardrobe. But I reeeeeally miss blogging about everything and anything, but I'm not sure it;s so on brand for my business.

2021: So I'm back.. It took me a while to remember my logins for this site, but I felt a calling to come back so I thought I'd come and chat, and get back into writing.

The moral of my story is... You don't need to completely change and start over to upgrade your morals or your image. It's been almost 5 years and I'm still sorry that I gave up on my original blog. I've lost a lot of my content from the last 5 years from jumping around to different URLs. And also, maybe my audience (you) would have enjoyed watching my transition to a slower way of enjoying fashion. I would also have documented it all in one place.

So this is me now.. Have I changed much? Apart from a fringe, and wasting less money on clothes, and being in my late twenties rather than my early twenties, I haven't changed all that much.

4 Ways to Avoid a Bad Mood

2017-04-17T15:27:00.002+01:00

Today I could just feel myself heading into a bit of a rut, or a mood, where all I want to do is wallow in self-pity and eat chocolate. But instead of just letting it happen I decided to get out of my room, head outside and hit refresh. I feel a million times better and much much positive. It's so important to try and notice when you are verging on one of these 'moods' so that you can do something to pick yourself up.

How to avoid a bad mood

Get Outside. Fresh air is enormously beneficial to clearing your head and helping you think straight. I went for a walk around the nearby park and feel so much more at peace after being outside in nature.
Exercise. When you exercise your body releases endorphins, which are guaranteed to put you in a better mood. It also makes you feel like you've accomplished something and gives a little boost to your ego (in a good way).
Write a Journal. Reflecting on how you are feeling is so important when it comes to figuring out how to get out of your bad mood, or avoid it altogether. Once you identify what or who has made you feel this way, you can address it, and put it to rest. Sometimes its a lot easier to get your feelings out on paper but it's just as beneficial as saying them out loud. This can also help for the future if you can know in advance what might set you off.
Do something you love. Right now I'm drinking tea and watching re runs of Friends on Netflix, but whatever it is that cheers you up and makes you feel good, just do it. And don't feel guilty for it either.

Capsule Wardrobe Spring/Summer Wishlist

2017-04-04T15:12:00.003+01:00

With my 3 month internship looming (if you didn't know, I'm going on a 3 month work experience placement in Berlin this Friday) I have been thinking about what pieces I'd like to add into my Spring/Summer Capsule Wardrobe. I'm almost all packed up for my trip away, with about 40 pieces in my 3 month wardrobe, but I'm noticing a few little gaps when it comes to warmer weather appropriate clothing. I've been looking on Polyvore again to find some inspiration and ASOS, Zara & H&M for actually things I could possibly afford.

Berlin does get slightly better weather than Ireland so I want to swap out my striped polo neck (knitted might I add) with a lighter weight long sleeve stripe top. I'm so particalur about it though. I want it to be a good length, slightly oversized, will look good both tucked into skirts and jeans and worn not tucked in. So far I've seen a few on ASOS and H&M that tickle my fancy so I may just wait until I get to Berlin and pop into a H&M store.

I think for the past few years I've been eyeing up little red summer dresses, but again, I haven't found the perfect one. I would prefer long sleeves becasue I get cold a lot. And a style that will look great dressed up, but equally ad good with a black ankle boot and biker / denim jacket. I have found one I like in ZARA but it's a tad out of my budget, but we'll see.

I feel like a red crossbody bag is just the perfect bag for my wardrobe. I wear a lot of basic colours; black, grey, white, bit of blue; and I think red is the perfect complimentary colour to add a bit of je ne sais que to any outfit. I have actually ordered one from ZARA (this one here) but I'm not sure if I'll get time to go to the store to actually pick it up before I leave. I didn't really think that through!! But I will either ask my sister to post it over to me or I'll pick it up in a Zara over there. It's so cute too. Go look at the little pineapple embellishment on it :)

I do own a denim jacket which I picked up around this time last year, which at the time I loved, but I found it was a bit too warm to wear in summer as it has a faux sheepskin lining. I'm thinking again I'll wait until I get to Berlin but I'd love to pick up a more oversized true denim coloured jacket in a vintage or second hand shop, maybe even a vintage Levi's one.

We've all seen these frill bottomed black trousers making the rounds on Instagram by now, but it's a trend I'm really loving. I have decided I'm going to DIY this piece for myself and I've picked up a pair of black trousers in a charity shop for €1. It will be so simple to add the circular frill to the hem and once I do I'll be posting in on my blog, so keep your eyes peeled.

Ok, so I know Berlin isn't near the sea or anything, but I am hoping to travel a little bit around Europe while I'm there so I'd really like to pick up a swimsuit to take with me. Just something basic, practical and simple like this little black one here. I love the cut of this one becasue a lot of the one-pieces I have been seeing in stores are quite high cut on the hips, and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for my Baywatch moment just yet. Another colour I'd love would be red (ok, maybe a bit of a Baywatch moment), but I think I'll survive with just the one this summer.

Finally, I would love to dress up my day-to-day outfits a bit more, and I think a small comfy heel would be the perfect way to do so. These beauties are certainly out of my price range but I would love something similar, a low block heel and some straps around the ankle to keep them on my feet. I just haven't fully decided if I want a basic black pair to go with everything, or something a little more exciting like red or leopard print for a bit of a pop. Again, I've been scouring ASOS for those and I have fallen for one particular pair of leopard print cuties.

4 WAYS | Tailored Trousers

2017-03-19T17:42:00.000+00:00

I recently picked up 2 pairs of black tailored trousers in a charity shop for €1 each (I know, ridiculous!) but I have yet to wear them, mainly because I bought them in preparation of my internship starting in April, so I could have something smart to wear. But it would be nice if I was able to put together a few looks with them that I could wear anytime, so here's a few little styling options.

I put it together on Polyvore, which I haven't used in ages, but I watched a video by USE LESS on how she puts together outfits, and it resparked my love for Polyvore. This time however I did use quite a few expensive items in the outfits so I didn't bother linking them. It was more about 'a red handbag' than 'a red Michael Kors bag'. If you click on the image it will take you through to all the links but this for me is more about the overall look than the individual pieces. You guys probably own most of these pieces already anyway. That's the point!

My favourite look is probably the first one with the 'girl power' t-shirt, firstly because that t-shirt is awesome (I may have ordered one myself) but also because it's very laid back and very Spring and Summer appropriate, which is exactly what I need for my internship. You could dress it up with a heel and biker jacket instead, as with any of the looks. Change the shoes and outerwear for a more casual or more dressy look.

The 2nd look is ideal for a work environment where you need to look smarter, but as I'll be doing a fashion internship I don't suppose it will be that conservative. Again, switch up the loafer for a ballet flat or even a black court heel. For outerwear I'd probably add a trench coat.

The 3rd look is possibly the more effortlessly cool look ever, and I'm not even sure I'm cool enough to pull it off. But again they are such basic pieces, a stripe top, a biker jacket.. Very simple. I think it's the red bag and statement shoes that really make the look.

And finally, if it does get a little chilly over in Berlin, or when I'm back in Ireland, a bomber jacket is a really cool way to add a bit of off-duty vibes to a tailored trouser, but also some warmth. Especially with the addition of the polo neck. And I figured an ankle boot had to make an appearance.

What's your favourite look, or how would/do you style tailored trousers? All recommendations welcome. I've never worn tailored trousers before.

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

2017-03-13T13:29:00.002+00:00

We all have those holy grail items in our wardrobe that we couldn't live without, and seem to gravitate towards all the time. I've picked my top 10 to share with you guys on your journey to creating your very own Capsule Wardrobe, or if you struggle to find the basics to put together simple outfits.

Biker Jacket: Depending on your own style you may like to go for a biker style, or you may like a collarless style, but either way a faux-leather jacket is a staple for any wardrobe, in particular a black one. It can dress up a striped top and jeans, or dress down a pretty dress.

Polo Necks: I have a few of these in various colours (black, grey, cream, mustard and striped) and they go with the majority of pieces in my wardrobe from a-line skirts to under a short sleeve/sleeveless dress. They're a great layering piece, and can be worn all year round if you live somewhere like Ireland!

Oversized Jumpers: I prefer to wear something more fitted one the bottom and something a bit oversized on top so these are a staple for me, but depending on the fit you fancy, knitwear is a definite staple for anyone. A jumper, jeans and boots is the easiest go-to outfit you could have in your wardrobe.

Trench Coat / Faux Fur Coat: For autumn/winter my faux fur coat is my first point of call, but for warmer months I gravitate towards my trench coat. It's a classic piece that I don't think will ever go out of style.

(Skinny) Jeans: ..or whatever is your preferred fit, but skinny can be the easiest to wear in terms of just throwing on any top and a pair of boots. Once you find your perfect fit you'll know which style suits you best.

A-Line Skirt: This is the most flattering style of skirt for my body-shape It nips in the waist and skims over the hips, either slimming bigger hips or adding curves where there is none. I have 3 of these now, denim, black and leopard print.

Ankle Boot: Can you go wrong with black ankle boots? Not really.. They go with everything.. The end!

Black Leggings: They're a great basic, but also an essential if you like to be comfortable. My ultimate outfit is an oversized jumper, black leggings and a pair of ankle boots or runners to be even comfier.

LBD: We've all heard before how essential these are, but especially nowadays when layering has become such a trend, you can layer your t-shirts and polo necks under your LBD to get some wear out of it during the day too.

Crossbody Bag: It's the handiest and safest of all bags, and the easiest to carry.

Check out my video below if you would like to hear me chat more about my Wardrobe Essentials and how I style them.

Fishnets

2017-03-07T12:58:00.000+00:00

Fishnets

Not normally a trend I would consider very 'me', but when it started to fill up my Pinterest feed I knew I would have to cave in and try it out. I have been struggling for a way to wear my loafers in this colder weather so it seemed like a no brainer really.

I've seen so many ways to style Fishnets from under ripped denim, poking out of your waistband, unde a pair of tailored trousers, with loafers, in sock form.. The list is endless really. I've created a Pinterest Board of all kinds of ways to wear this trend, if you feel like having a nosey HERE.

I paired mine under these embroidered ripped denims that I DIYed last summer (see how I did that here), with a simple white tee, my beloved pink bomber jacket and, of course, my loafers. I feel like it was a pretty basic outfit but the fishnets just added a little something extra to the overall vibe. I'm a convert now. Prepare to see lots more of these babies!!x

5 Tips for a 'Greener' Wardrobe

2017-02-28T08:30:00.000+00:00

Being 'Green' seems to be becoming a bit of a trend lately and I am ALL for that. With celebrities such as the amazing Emma Watson promoting organic and ethical fashion brands, its time to start listening to them and realising that we don't need to keep supporting the non-ethical brands. Sustainability and eco-friendly options are becoming more readily available. But even without buying from ethical brands, there are plenty of ways to be a bit 'greener' when it comes to our wardrobes.

5 Tips for a Greener Wardrobe

➤Buy Less. Wear more. When you start questioning what you're buying and if you are truely going to get the wear out of each time, you will start to buy less. Buying less is really the easiest way to shop/live more sustainably, becasue once we all buy and consume a little less, the fashion industry is forced to make less products and use as much energy and resources as they are at the moment. It's also really nice to have a nicely curated wardrobe full of pieces you really love to wear and feel great in.

➤Quality not Quantity: How many times have we heard this saying? And yet we are consuming more than ever before. And a lot of what we buy into is fast fashion, which we all know doesn't last as long when we are continually wearing and washing our clothing.

➤Ethical/Eco Brands: Shop from brands who share more ethical and eco values. They may use recycled or organic fabrics, use sustainable energy to create their products or have better working conditions for their workers (which I believe is one of the most important factors in ethical fashion).

➤Buy Second Hand: If there are items that you can find second hand then do it. It is possibly the most environmentally friendly way to shop because it involves no extra resources and it gives new life to clothing that may just end up in material landfills. Certain pieces you won't want to buy second hand but I have found some great things in my local charity shops such as a trench coat for €6, a basic black A-line skirt for €2, a roll neck cable knit jumper for €9 (with merino wool), a knitted balmain inspired blazer for €4 and some cute slip dresses for a couple of quid each. There's also the option to alter or customise these pieces if they're not entirely to your taste or fit, but you then end up with a completely unique piece.

➤Do It Yourself (DIY) : You'll know by now I'm a big fan of making my own clothing, whetehr it's making something from scratch or upcycling a worn out item. Again, you'll have something unique to you. Depending of course on how you source your fabrics and what fabrics you use, you could create a very sustainable and unique wardrobe. Check out some of my DIYs HERE for inspiration.

More Eco-Conscious Brands

If buying from ethical brands is the route you want to take in creating a sustainable wardrobe, I've researched a few brands making positive changes towards sustainability.

Zara's 'JOIN LIFE' Collection is made from organic cottons, recycled wools, lyocell (made from trees from sustainably managed forests). I have vowed to buy all my basic t-shirts from this collection because they are still only €5.95 but are 100% organic cotton, and I love the fit and shape of them too.

H&M are also known for having their 'Conscious Collection' which is made from fabrics such as Lyocell, Organic Cotton and Recycled Polyester. Also part of the H&M Group are COS, & Other Stories, Weekday, Cheap Monday and Monki, which I believe share similar beliefs to the H&M brand.

People Tree are another eco-friendly brand that I've heard a lot about but have never actually bought anything from. It is on the less affordable side of high-street prices but their products are quite beautiful. They have a very simple tailored aesthetic which can be great when picking up wardrobe basics, and again it would be great for those more investment pieces.

For more ethical brands & shopping tips visit : http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/buyersguides/clothing.aspx

I'd like to point out that I am in no way telling you guys not to buy new clothes because I do sometimes treat myself to new pieces, like this shirt and these shoes, and I don't want to be a hypocrite. I am however inviting you to be a bit more mindful while you're shopping and selecting the pieces that you will add to your wardrobe. It will also make a huge difference to your own peace of mind that you're being more aware of your spending, making positive changes that will hopefully impact the environment in a healthy way and let's face it, you're wardrobe won't be full of clutter. Ain't nobody got time to tidy up all those clothes every bloody day!! For more tips on creating a wardrobe with less pieces you can check out my videos on How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe and my Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes.

What The Hell Are You Wearing?

2017-02-24T12:11:00.002+00:00

Personal style is a funny thing. Some days I feel so ME when I wear a certain item of clothing, outfit or colour, and other days I strive to wear something that's so NOT ME, just to push myself a little. I think clothing has always been the one area in my life that I'm not afraid to take risks in or afraid to try something different. When I was in secondary school around the ages of 14-16, before social media 'taught'everybody what exactly style was, I wore a LOT of questionable outfits. At the same time, I don't ever remember being self conscious about them (and I'm pretty much self conscious about everything else). How I could tell if my outfit choices were a bit 'out there' was if my best friend gave me a weird look like ''what the hell are you wearing?'', which at the time just reassured me I looked 'cool' or at least different. I think now, in the age of social media, it can be hard to be different when you're so used to looking at certain trends or styles, it's nearly ingrained in us what we 'should' be wearing. But don't forget to wear whatever it is you want to wear, whether it's a five year old trend, something that has never been trending or just something that isn't necessarily very YOU.

I'd say a year or so ago, I wouldn't have dreamed I'd wear an outfit like this. Like, ever!! A pinafore dress?.. Loafers?.. Not a chance. But lately I'm trying to embrace my more feminine side, and the side of me that's almost in her mid twenties and feels as if she should dress like it. Pinafore dress = feminine. Loafers = woman who's got her sh*t together (maybe).

Also, please excuse my fairly moody face in some of these photos. It was an extremely windy day, and also, just as we stepped out to take these, it started to rain. The joys! But I did get to try out my new 50mm Lens that I picked up just before I went to London, and that depth of field makes up for any amount of rain. I'll be playing around with this lens a good bit in the next few posts so I'll be able to give a proper review of it soon, if you guys would be interested in that. Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I better get dressed and head to college now. I have a lot of work to do!xx

wool coat by me / river island loafers / bershka dress / forever21 polo neck / specsavers glasses

DIY Leopard Print A-Line Skirt

2017-02-02T18:30:00.000+00:00

I'm finally bringing you a brand new DIY today that I rustled up in no time at all really last week. It's a project I've wanted to do for ages. I've wanted to do a simple A-line skirt tutorial here to show you how simple they can be to make, and also I wanted a leopard print skirt. I've made the pattern from another skirt I own too so regardless if you're a wiz at pattern drafting, own a pattern for a skirt or are a true beginner, it really doesn't matter. Also to note I used an upholstery (homeware) fabric to make this so you don't even have to be too picky with fabrics. I love how mine turned out.

Here's what you need:

To make my pattern pieces I traced around an A-line skirt that I already owned, and that fit me well. I first traced half of the skirt for the front piece so that when I cut it out on the fold it would be perfectly symmetrical. I added a 1 cm seam allowance to the waist and sides, and 4 cm at the hem.

For the back piece, I wanted to add 2 darts, so I first traced the pattern I had just made for the front of the skirt. I marked where I wanted my darts to go (in the center of the piece, and how wide and long I wanted it to be - 2 cm width, 11 cm depth. I then added 2 cm on at the side of the waist to compensate for taking it out for the dart, and joined this point back into the side of the skirt. I added a 1 cm seam allowance the the left side of the back piece because I remembered I had to add in the zip in this seam. (so it wasn't cut on the fold)

I left the facing the same for the back and front as it didn't require a dart. I made this by tracing the top section of the skirt. You can see on the skirt where I marked the dotted line. This is the facing line. I cut the facing on the fold x 2 but I later remembered that I needed to cut one of them in half, again to allow for the zip.

I cut the front piece on the fold of the fabric so I would have one large piece, and I cut the back piece twice becasue this required a seam down the back for the zip.

Step 1 :The Darts

These always come first. Sew the darts in the 2 back pieces. Press them facing in toward the center seam.

Step 2: Inserting the Zip

Sew up the center back seam , but don't back-stitch at the top becasue we'll have to unpick this later. Press the seam flat. This will make inserting the zip really easy. You'll also need to make sure your zip is long enough to come down to the widest part of your hips so that the skirt will go on you properly.

Lay the closed zip on top of the center back seam. Pin and sew in place as close to the zip opening as possible. If you have a zipper foot this will be much easier.

Rip back the stitches in the center back seam as far as the zip opening, and then secure the end of the seam by sewing over this area on your machine again, making sure to back-stitch.

Step 3: Putting the skirt together

Pin and sew the front and back pieces together along the side seams. Press the seams open, and finish with overlocking or a zig-zag stitch (alternatively you can do this to all the edges before you start sewing if you wish).

Step 4: Attaching the facing

Sew both of the facing pieces together at the ends (1 cm seam allow) and cut one of them down the center. This will allow for the zip. Your facing should look like this.

Line up the side seams of the facing and the skirt. Pin the facing to the skirt, right sides of the fabric together. Sew around the top of the skirt 1cm in, the whole way around.

Finish this edge with a zig-zag stitch or overlock it.

Turn the skirt inside out, and press all the facing seams as flat as possible.

Turn in the excess facing fabric around the zip opening, and hand stitch in place.

Step 5: Hemming

Turn up the hem of the skirt 2 cm, and then again another 2 cm to create a rolled hem. Press in place really well with your iron. I hand stitched the hem in place with a stocking stitch to prevent it from showing through on the right side of the fabric, but feel free to do this by machine if you would rather.

Et Voila.. A brand new skirt to style up and enjoy. I styled mine with this pretty frilled blouse and my new nudey/pink bomber jacket that I nabbed in the Zara sale. It'll be a great alternative to a fur coat or leather jacket n the Spring when it gets a bit warmer and it's a nice shade for adding in more colour too. I think it goes quite nicely with the leopard print. I really hope you guys enjoyed this tutorial and if you do give this a go yourself be sure to snap me/tweet me/Instagram me all of your photos. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the outfit photos.xx

bomber jacket ZARA sale (similar) // flared blouse H&M // boots BOOHOO

My Current 40 Piece Capsule Wardrobe

2017-01-30T09:58:00.000+00:00

As it is coming in to a new season shortly (come on Spring!), and I also never updated you guys on my Winter Wardrobe, I thought I'd put together a post on what I currently have in my wardrobe. I have a weird way of keeping track of the pieces I own and different ways I could style them by saving an image of the item (or one very similar) in a folder on my laptop labelled 'Capsule Wardrobe' and every so often I'll style up some outfit collages on Photoshop. Is that really sad? :P

However, I find it great to have a system to keep track of pieces you own so you can see an overview of your wardrobe instead of having to physically look through everything you own. That can get messy. When I'm thinking of investing in something new, I'll find an image, pop it in the folder, and see if it goes with the other pieces. Anyway, here's a look at the 40 pieces in my current Capsule Wardrobe.

11 Tops : This doesn't include basics like plain t-shirts and vest tops. It consists of turtle necks, jumpers, my plaid shirt, and a few blouses. It's a nice mix of casual and dressy.

8 Bottoms: This mainly consists of jeans, but I have a few pairs of leggings (normal and flared) and a couple of skirts.

2 one-pieces: a basic cami dress and dungarees. I also do have one other dress in my wardrobe currently but I don't wear it very often so I'm leaving it in my occasion wear section (which doesn't get included in the capsule wardrobe - it's never very many items anyway).

8 outerwear: Coats, jackets and cardigans. See my post on my Minimal Coat Collection HERE.

9 shoes: A mix of casual flats, dressy flats, boots, heeled boots etc. I don't include any heels because again they are more occasion wear.

2 bags: a black one and a red one. The only other one I could possibly ~~need~~ (want) would be leopard print.

I'll be doing my best to keep the number of items I own in my wardrobe down, but I do plan on making a few new pieces for DIY posts sooo don't judge me for that :P It's for a good cause. I do tend to swap them out for another item if I wear them a lot or pass them on (charity shop or depop) if I don't use/wear it as much as I thought. How are you guys getting on with your Capsule Wardrobes if you've started one? How many pieces are in yours? Maybe I could challenge myself to have even less.

Catch up on my Capsule Wardrobe Videos HERE

5 Ways to Stop Impulse Shopping

2017-01-28T10:04:00.000+00:00

Recently I've become a lot more minimal. I wouldn't say I'm a full blown minimalist, but that's the goal. So in order to live more minimally I needed to curb my spending habits and stop hoarding. On the plus side, I also save money, along with having less clutter and a tidier space (and mind). Here are some of the ways I stopped impulse shopping so much.

Stop going shopping.

If you're trying not to impulse shop, the easiest way is to avoid shops at all costs. Don't go 'window shopping', don't go for a browse.. Because you're going to find something you didn't even know know you wanted. And then you'll have to persuade yourself not to buy it. This also goes for online shopping, just un-bookmark your favourite stores and don't go near them. Unsubscribing from their emails would also be a great help in keeping them off your mind. Unroll Me is a great website for unsubscribing from mass amounts of junk emails at once. I think I discovered it from some other blogger, and every so often they'll email me a list of subscriptions that might be junk. Very handy.

Keep a wishlist

You may think this would make you want to shop more but actually, it's better to have a small list of things you know you really want and that you've also spend time considering. You can make sure these pieces work with the rest of your wardrobe too. You could create a Pinterest board labelled WISHLIST (that's mine up there) and add anything to it that you think would be a good investment piece. BUT the catch is that before you buy anything, it must stay in your wishlist for AT LEAST 30 days. Anything less and it's just impulse shopping again. Then, when you have a bit of money to spend or want to treat yourself, you can pick an item from your list, knowing full well that it has been properly considered for your style and your wardrobe.

Create a Capsule Wardrobe.

photo credit Harper's Bazaar

This might sound like a funny way of not shopping, but I promise you, once you curate your own Capsule Wardrobe that suits your style, taste and lifestyle, you won't want to ruin it with impulse buys again. Not never, but a lot less. So that's where the other tips come in to play. When you experience the joy of having less clothing but wearing all of it, and LOVING all of it, it would be very hard to get back to hoarding masses amounts of impulse buys.

See my tops tips on creating a Capsule Wardrobe HERE

Decide where else you'd like to spend your money.

By spending you money more intentionally, you will see that you have more than you thought to play with. By cutting out your daily latte or weekly magazines or in this case, your weekly trip to Zara, you could save up enough to do something much more meaningful like going on a holiday. Doesn't that sound much better than having a few extra pieces of clothing? Or you could invest in something that might be of value to you and even earn you some extra money, like a sewing machine, a new camera or taking a class.

Make a list of 5 other things you could do instead of shopping

photo credit Technology in Business

Whether you go shopping as a social thing with your friends or sisters, or you do it as a bit of 'retail therapy' / 'me time', I'm sure there are plenty of other things you could do instead. Try inviting your girls around to your house for tea and lunch instead of going out (also saves more money) or for some pamper time try having a bath, doing a face mask, going for a walk at your nearest beach or watching a feel-good movie. It is way too easy to buy yourself something when you need a little pick-me-up but I assure you there are other ways. And hey, shopping is never as relaxing as you imagine anyway.

My Minimal Coat Collection

2017-01-25T17:39:00.001+00:00

I've never really owned a lot of coats and I used to say I didn't have enough, but looking at this little collection now I think I actually have all the basics covered. My grey wool coat is my most recent addition, which I actually made as part of College, and now that I have something in a lighter colour, I think I'm finally set. If you're thinking of building a Capsule Wardrobe and are wondering which coats/outerwear you should have or keep, here's my tops 6.

1. Trench Coat

This is the perfect all year round coat. It's light enough to wear through Spring and Summer, and roomy enough to layer under for Autumn and Winter. I love the beige shade too becasue it's a great neutral but a nice bright colour to lift darker outfits. I picked mine up in a second hand clothes sale.

2. Faux Fur / Leopard Print Coat

This is probably my most worn coat I own and I've had it for 6 years (and it's still going strong). I feel that leopard print goes with everything so I can literally wear it with any outfit. And the fact that it's faux fur means it's really warm and cosy. It does usually get pushed aside for the warmer Summer months but I will never, ever get rid of it. It's my cold weather saviour.

3. Grey Wool Coat

This is a great coat for a minimalist. Perfect shade and perfect style. I love the tie waist. This isn't my exact coat but it is very similar to the one I made (If you wanna see that you you can see it in this OOTD Post). It's great to have a lighter colour in my wardrobe too to balance out all the black. And it's a bit more dressy too.

4. Leopard Biker Jacket

This is my fun jacket. Again, leopard print.. So I wear it with anything, but if I'm looking for something more fun than my plain biker jacket this is what I will grab. I don't wear it as much as I thought I would but I do still love it and think it's also a bit timeless. So there's still plenty of time to wear it.

5. Black Coat

What can I say? Black coat's are pretty essential becasue they go with evveerryythhhingg. I picked mine up in a charity shop but it was actually new with tags (very handy). The leather look sleeves are a nice detail too.

6. Black Biker Jacket

The holy grail of all outerwear. I love it for grunging up a nice dress or something more girly, or to dress down something fancy. It's also a good cold/wet weather outfit. Mine isn't real leather, which is great because I've decided not to wear any real leather anymore, but you definitely don't need to spend a tonne or get a real leather one to get a nice biker jacket.

How much of Our Make-up is Cruelty Free?

2017-01-15T10:00:00.000+00:00

I went through all of the make-up in my makeup bag yesterday and today I'm showing you which ones are Cruelty Free and which ones are not. You might be suprised about some of the brands. If you're wondering about any other brands I'll link an image I've pinned with a huge list of cruelty free and non-cruelty free brands for makeup, skincare and haircare HERE. Hope you guys enjoy the video x

5 Healthy Habits to add to your New Year

2017-01-14T12:25:00.001+00:00

It has been proven that having a set routine can contribute to the overall outcome of your day, so developing a great morning routine will be greatly beneficial to the positivity and productivity of your day. So if you have a million and one things you want to achieve this year, starting the day well will help you towards your goals. I've listed below 5 Healthy Habits I have started incorporating into my mornings and throughout my day to help me feel a little bit happier, positive and productive.

I've also popped in a few shots of one of my latest outfits featuring this coat I made for my college assessments. They are finally over (until my next one in April) so it's back to regular uploading for me again.

1. Meditate

Meditation is extremely popular right now. You could even go as far as to say it's a trend. That being said, it's probably one of the most beneficial trend you could ever get on board with as it has been proven to have loads of benefits. It can help you deal with depression, anxiety, stress, to name but a few issues, but it can also help you live more presently, in the present moment, become more aware of your surroundings and your own body and mind. Just 10 minutes a day can have a huge effect on your overall wellbeing, so it's definitely worth trying out. I've started using Headspace (it's an app for guided meditiation, and it offers you a free 10 day trial) and I also search guided meditations on Youtube, and I find these really helpful for getting started.

2. Drink more Water

This one is an obvious one, yet so many of us still don't drink enough water. And yes, I am hugely guilty of this. Most days I could run off drinking tea alone, but that's not healthy at all. It is recommended that we drink about 2 litres of water a day (depending on how much physical activity we are doing that day). It helps lubricate your muscles, it's great for getting clearer skin and healthier hair, for flushing out toxins out of our bodies and it aids digestion. So if your feeling slugging or your skin and hair are looking a bit lasklustre, you could probably benefit from drinking more water. Start your day with a glass of water, and fill up your water bottle for the day.

3. Get Outside

Being outside in the fresh air is great. It's not healthy to sit inside all day in a stuffy room, so get out and get a little bit active. Even just going for a short stroll in the great outdoors can benefit you. Being outdoors, or even better, out in nature, can improve your outlook on life, ease stress, strengthen your immunity, improve your focus and it also wakes you up a little bit to breath in fresh air (perfect for avoiding that afternoon slump). You could try going for a short walk in the mornings, sit out on your balcony or in your garden to have your morning cup of coffee, walk your dog, whatever you can do to get that little bit of extra outdoors time.

4. Stretch Daily

When was the last time you tried to touch your toes? Can you do it? If not, your muscles are probably pretty tight, especially if you're not doing regular exercise. Even if you are, it's important to stretch afterwards to avoid your muscles getting tight after training them. Sun Salutations are a really quick and easy way to do some stretching in the mornings. It's kind of like a short yoga routine which is done in sequence. Each one takes only a few minutes, and you can do it as many times as you like to you feel a bit more flexible. It's so important to keep your body active and flexible, especially as you get older. It will also strengthen you muscles and joints, and get your blood flowing, so it's great for blood circulation.

5. Take time Out

In this craziness we call life, it's important to take the time to look after yourself. If you're always worrying about other people, your job, college deadlines, etc, then you'll need to take some 'me time' to reconnect with yourself. You can do this any way you like by doing something you enjoy like taking a bubble bath, doing a face-mask, engaging in a hobby you love or simply having a duvet day and watching re-runs of Friends. If it will make you a little bit happier and relaxed, do it!

Coat by me // boots* ZAFUL // skirt* DRESSLILY (similar) //bag RI // top F21 // scarf from Nepal / hat DRESSLILY

5 Ways to Kickstart your New Year

2017-01-06T16:26:00.003+00:00

In January, with all this 'New Near, New Me' malarkey, it can actually be a pretty hard time of year, especially if you're not feeling very up for it. The January blues can hit pretty hard if the pressure of a whole new year hits you, and you're trying to think if you even achieved anything over the last year. It can be a bit of a downer sometimes, but here are a few of my tips for when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with it all.

1. Get out in nature. The best way to clear your head and your mind is definitely getting outside, getting some fresh air and just being in nature. Whether it's a walk along the beach, a hike or even taking your dog for a walk somewhere remote it will be so beneficial. I recently went for a walk on Strandhill beach and even at this time of year, as cold as it is, it's so nice to take that time out and be away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

2. Plan a holiday/trip. This could be at home or abroad, but planning a trip is a surefire way to make you excited for the coming year. Whatever your budget, as long as you have the right people to do it with, it can be almost as exciting planning the trip as it would be to actually go. I'm currently in the process of planning a 3 month internship, possibly somewhere in Europe, and although it's scary as hell to be going off on my own, it's pretty exciting too. So even if you've got nobody to travel with, plan a trip for yourself and use it as a time to reconnect with yourself.

3. Declutter. Your mind. Your makeup bag. Your wardrobe. Your pile of opened, unimportant post that's still lying around for some reason. Get rid of anything that isn't serving you and anything you don't truly need or love. You know that feeling after you tidy your bedroom or your desk? Imagine having that all the time because your space isn't messy and cluttered anymore. Need more convincing? Read Marie Condo's Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

4. Go for an angel card reading. Or to a psychic, if that's something you would be into. I went to an angel card reader yesterday and it was really inspiring and comforting to hear you're on the right path or what can be possible for you in the future. Whether or not you fully believe everything they tell you, it can be helpful to guide you in the right direction anyway. What I took from mine was to focus on myself and my career. And apparently I'm going to write a book in the future, so that's great.

5. Set a few simple goals. Not too many or it can be overwhelming. It could be to get fit and healthy, learn how to drive, start a blog, pick up an old hobby you used to love, or even as simple as vowing to be your best self for 2017 onwards, Write them down, plan out how you will put them into action and really look forward to achieving them. And belief in yourself that you will!

If any of you guys have anymore tips on how you like to get ready for a New Year, or any recommendations on where I should go on my Internship, leave them in the comments below.xx

New Year - New Blog

2017-01-01T21:50:00.000+00:00

Welcome to my new (or rather just improved) blog. If you've been following my blog for a while you may have noticed a lack of blog posts here over the last few months, and to be honest, I guess my heart just wasn't in it anymore. I was blogging out of a feeling that I should rather than wanting to. I feel like I've gone through a lot of changes in 2016. I started eating less meat (almost none), I've started buying less and decluttering more, I've become a little pissed off with the fashion industry after watching documentaries like 'The True Cost', and I've become an all round conscious consumer. I may still shop in Penneys from time to time or eat a bit of chicken for dinner but I've began to notice these things and I realise the consequences of it all. This may sound a bit airy-fairy for want of a better word, but basically.. (long story short).. I am now trying to live a life that doesn't have as much impact on the environment as a whole. The term 'sustainable living' has been thrown around quite a bit lately but I feel like it describes where I'm at right now.

I launched 'Dream Love Style' out of a desire for a less consumerist driven blog. Fashion Floor Fillers was born out of my love to shop, but currently I'm growing out of that, and so my blog too has grown. Dream Love Style will be more about continuing with my Capsule Wardrobe that I started last year, living with a select number of items in my closet and learning how to style them in numerous ways; upcycling and DIYing my own pieces to incorporate trends into my wardrobe; my journey to a more minimalist lifestyle, etc etc. So it will still be style & fashion based but with a lot more lifestyle related posts too. I guess it just an all round outlet for my own life and whatever takes my fancy. Expect more regular content, and in a few weeks/months I'm sure I'll get into the swing of things again. I really hope you guys stick with me on this and love this new venture even more than the last one. FashionFloorFillers isn't dead, it's just growing up.

To kickstart the New Year I thought I'd share some recent photos from my trip to Strandhill Beach in Sligo. My Mam, my sister and I took a drive up to Sligo over the Christmas holidays and although it was quite cold, being the 27th of December, it was really nice to unwind after the craziness of Christmas. Beaches are always such a tranquil place and are great for getting back in touch with yourself and with nature. We spent a few hours just walking along the beach and grabbed a bite to eat in Shell's Cafe (wrapped in blankets might I add). It was delish!!

Here's to an amazing 2017 guys.. Our best year yet! Whatever that goal is that you've been wanting to reach every other new year, now is your chance. Make it happen. If you can dream it, you can do it.

Dream. Love. Style. xx

Todays view 🌊🌊🌊

A video posted by Gemma (@gemma_mclean) on Dec 27, 2016 at 6:37am PST

DIY Marble Diary

2016-12-21T23:34:00.000+00:00

We all know a stationary addict / marble print anything addict, so what better way to treat this person in your life (it could also be yourself) than to make them a beautiful marble print diary for 2017. It's really simple and I think this took me about 5 minutes to make, and only cost a couple of euros.

You'll need:

1 diary (or notebook)

marble contact paper

scissors

Cut out your marble contact paper, using the notebook s a guide (or use a pen if that's easier). Leave about 1.5cm edge around the diary.

Before you fold in the edges, cut the corners off (like the photo above) , so that when you fold in the edges the corners will fold in together neatly.

Et Voila! Now you can start planning lots of amazing things for 2017 or gift it to somebody for Christmas.x

A Minimal Christmas Wishlist

2016-12-04T13:43:00.001+00:00

1. MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick / 2. Cerruti 1881 perfume / 3. Salt Lamp / 4. Canon 50mm Lens / 5. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner / 6. Bloom book / 7. Novem&Knight Jumper

I wasn't planning on doing any kind of Christmas Wishlists or Christmas hauls this year because I want to celebrate Christmas with less of a materialistic approach this year. If you've followed my Youtube Channel for the last few months or the last year or so you'll have seen that I've been living with a Capsule Wardrobe, made up of a select number of pieces. I started this because I thought it was a cool idea and seemed to make sense when I always found myself thinking 'I have nothing to wear' while my wardrobe burst at the seams. But I continued with it because I watched some amazing documentaries such as The True Cost on Netflix, which details the true cost of all our buying of new clothes every week/month/year. If you're into a bit more of an eco or sustainable life, it's well worth a watch. After that I just couldn't justify my purchases like I used to. I started to reduce the amount of spending and hoarding of things and have been working to detach myself from my material possessions, because I can definitely say I often thought ''If I can buy this I'll be happy''... No!

So this year for Christmas I have a tiny wishlist, of some pieces that I either need or will be very useful to me, or that will actually bring my a little bit of joy (I also read Marie Condo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up). Such as a new perfume (I've run out of all my other ones all at once it seems), a new liquid liner (Kat Von D's range is mostly vegan and cruelty free), a salt lamp, a new lens for my camera (so I can take some more beautiful photos for my blog in the new year and get that extra bit of depth-of-field), Esteé Lalonde's new book (becasue she is a truly amazing woman, and it's one of those coffee table books you'll have forever), a cosy grey knitted jumper (becasue I live in Ireland and it's always cold, and it's made by my favourite Youtuber Samantha Maria AND it's made in the UK), and a MAC red lipstick (because I love a red lip and want one that will stay on).

Lastly, all I want for Christmas is to get time off work to go home and see my newborn nephew, my 7 month old niece who I've only ever seen twice and all the rest of my amazing family and friends. And for my boyfriend to come home from Nepal because it's been a while since I saw him too.

If you guys were to think about what you reeeeally wanted this Christmas, what would it be? Le me know in the comments xxxx

How to do Autumn Layering

2016-11-14T21:13:00.002+00:00

Autumn. It's a confusing season. One day it's so cold your fingers feel like they might fall off, and the next day your sweltering in your knitwear. It can be hard to dress appropriately these days in order to be warm/cool enough. My favourite way to prepare for days like these is through layers. Lot and lots of layers. If it's cold outside, you're sorted. And if it's a little milder, you can remove a layer or two. Here's a few of my top tips & trends when mixing different layers.

Cami dresses/tops and blouses: It's a massive trend at the moment, but it's also a very practical way to wear your favourite, more lightweight pieces in the cooler months.

Skinny Jeans: In particular ripped skinny jeans, look great layered under longer tops or dresses. I've worn this particular pair under a knee length cami dress and becasue they're so fitted they look really great. They're also warmer than tights or leggings, and when worn with shorter tops, they keep the booty covered (where leggings fail).

Blanket scarf/cape: Whoever invented this blanket that you can wear outside, in public, and it's classed as actual clothing is a genius. It might be a bit of a Marmite trend but I personally love it, due to the comfort and warmth factor. I love wearing this to University and sitting at my desk wrapped up in it. It can be worn on it's own over your outfit, or you can layer it over your coat too (for those extra chilly days). Just remember to keep the underneath coat that bit shorted than the cape to keep the proportions right.

And also remember to have fun with all your different layers, becasue at the end of the day, that is what fashion is all about.

DIY Miu Miu Inspired Lace-up Flats

2016-10-13T21:15:00.002+01:00

Flats have seen so many updates these pasts few months/seasons and I'm getting really into them. From loafers to lace-ups, I've started collecting them all. Inspired by the most beautiful Miu Miu flats (if you haven't seen them, this is them) I decided to upcycle my own flats into something a little bit more interesting and original. So if you fancy having your own unique pair, keep on reading.

You will need:

Pair of flats

2m Plaid ribbon or trim

Fabric/Super glue

Thread and needle

Cut the ribbon in half, 2 x 1 metre pieces, and cut about 2 inches of each piece. These will make the loops that will be attached to the shoes.

Fold the loops in half and zigzag stitch the edges together to really secure them. Turn them inside out so that the stitching is inside the loop.

Glue or stitch (or both) the loops to the back of the flats. When they're fully secure and dry loop the long piece of ribbon through the loop, and secure with one knot to keep it in place.

Lace them up and away you go!! :)

DIY Embroidered Jeans

2016-10-08T11:26:00.004+01:00

Embroidered jeans have been such a massive trend for the past few months, and I've been oogling over so many pairs on the high street, on other bloggers and in magazines. I figured it was about time I made my own. I don't see the point in forking out fifty quid for a brand new pair of jeans when you probably have an oldish pair lying around in need of a refresh, and you can pick up iron on patches for a couple of euros/pounds/dollars.. I bought mine on AliExpress and I think for all 6 patches it came to just under €3. So have a bit of fun with your own pair of embroidered jeans, and rejoice in the fact that nobody will have a pair like yours.

You will need:

A pair of jeans

Selection of iron on patches

Needle and matching threads

Iron

Scissors

Lay out the patches and decide where you want to place them.

Iron the patches onto your jeans, being sure not to burn or melt the patches. Place a light pieces of cotton over the patches as you iron. I would say hold the iron on the patches for 30-40 seconds at a time.

If your patches are the highest quality, you may want to sew them on a little bit too, if you plan on washing your jeans and want the patches to last. It's a little bit tedious but it's well worth it in the long run.

FRAYING THE HEMS

This is another huge trend at the moment so I figured I'd add in another element to the jeans. To create the stepped raw hem effect, you first want to cut a slit in either side of the leg, about 2 inches up. Cut the front 'flap' off the jeans.

Cut the stitched hem off the back of the jeans, and you'll be left with a shorter front hem, and longer back hem.

Fray the hems as much as you want by pulling a few (or a lot) of the threads loose. They'll also fray more as you wear them and wash them.

Here's a link to the patches I bought if you're looking for some > smaller roses , bigger rose

Transitional Styling - How to wear your summer pieces for Autumn

2016-09-27T20:40:00.000+01:00

Autumn is a tricky season. It's not as hot as summer, but it's not as cold as winter, so it can be quite difficult to dress for. The weather is always unpredictable. I've put together my few tips on how to tackle this tricky season head on. I've also styled up two summer pieces to show you how you can make the most of your summer wardrobe by tweeking it for Autumn.

Layering - This is by far my number one tip for bringing your lighter summery pieces into Autumn. It makes them more appropriate for cooler temperatures and gives you a chance to pull out your autumn essentials. Great pieces for layering are polo necks, long sleeve tops, gilets, check shirts etc. Here I styled a really great dress from DressFo, which seems way more summer orientated, with a polo neck underneath and it looks rather cool I think. I had ordered it at the end of summer, but as i'm only getting around to wearing it now I thought it was the ideal way to style it. It also means you can get more wears out of your favourite dresses.

Tights - Adding tights to a dress or skirt, or even a playsuit, can carry it right through to winter without your pins getting too chilly. Go for any design or colour you like, but I prefer the good old fashioned black tights.

The Biker Jacket - This has to be the coolest of all outerwear, but it's also super versatile for throwing on over lighter tops and dresses to add overall cool vibes, a layer of warmth and an extra waterproof bonus. Here I styled an Off-the-Shoulder top from DressFo that we saw loads of over summer, worn with lots of white denim, but by pairing it with black and other dark tones you can make it work just as well for Autumn.

Statement boots: Ankle boots are great becasue they can be worn with just about anything, so when you need a bit of waterproof footwear, they're your best bet. But this AW it's all about the statement boots so anything with a stand out print, embellishment or detail is a winner.

First Look

*Dress - DressFo

Polo Neck - River Island

Lace-up flats - Primark

Second Look

Biker Jacket - Warehouse

*Top - DressFo

Flares - PLT

Boots - Zara
Bag - DIY Post Here

10 Favourite Pieces in my Closet

2016-08-03T11:00:00.000+01:00

While putting together my new Autumn Capsule Wardrobe (video up soon - keep an eye out) I decided to put together a post on my 10 favourite pieces, because it's good to fall back in love with what you have instead of always buying new. New pieces are just a fleeting pleasure, whereas gathering up the pieces you really love will be much more worthwhile and lasting. It's all in a bid to buy less and wear more of what I already own.

1. KICKFLARE JEANS: These are only like the coolest jeans in the world!! I wear them a lot with high-tops too and they look great dressed down. They're very comfy, I think I bought them an inch bigger than my actual waist size, so I could actually lounge around in these babies. I much prefer these to full length flares now because I find it quite hard to pair them(full length) with shoes and not look like something out of a Western. It's also nice to actually see your shoes too.

2. WHITE SHIRT: This has been the perfect extra layer for the very mild weather we've been having lately, and I would say it will be an equally good extra layer for Autumn, perhaps under a leather jacket or a jumper. It's very soft too which is a nice change to the typical crisp white shirt.

3. CHECK SHIRT: I bet everyone I know is sick of me wearing this shirt but i just can't stop becasue apart from the fact that it's so easy to throw on with jeans and trainers, it's SO comfy.I also wear it a lot with just black leggings and some high-tops and it's the perfect for when I'm having a fat day/ food baby / I just don't care kinda day. I got it in the Zara sales last Christmas so although it was very inexpensive it's still good enough quality to last for another few years.

4. T-BAR CROP TOP: This top is just the coolest thing I've worn in a long time, and whenever I wear it I get compliments. Chokers are very in at the minute and this top is a great way to incorporate that trend into your wardrobe. I feel really bad-ass when I wear this so this one will be sticking around for a while.

5. FLARED LEGGINGS: I only recently started wearing these again, but I've already fallen back in love. I can't remember why I stopped wearing them in the first place although I do think they are a little bit tight on me so that might be why. But they're so easy to wear and although they're tight they're still very comfy. These would look equally as great with a big oversized jumper for Autumn.

6. KHAKI JUMPER: I bought this towards the end of Spring, so I haven't fully got the wear out of it yet, but I am so excited to pull this out again for Autumn. I bought it 2 sizes too big but I love the oversized fit of it. It was just what I was looking for.

7. LEOPARD BIKER JACKET: Ahh this is the jacket of dreams.. I love my plain black biker jacket, but this is just a huge step up. Again, like I've said many times, leopard is like a basic for me, so it goes with almost everything and can really jazz up an outfit. I think when style in a print-clash or colour-clash look it can look really great. It was another bargain too at about twenty quid on ASOS.

8. DUNGAREES: Theses just make me feel really happy and fun when I wear them. I guess it's because they kind of remind me of the ones I wore as a kid. But they're really versatile and are a great thrower-oner piece.

9. PINK TSHIRT: This is the most flattering shade of pink I think I have ever worn, and for €6 this tee was a major Penneys bargain. It really flatters my new glasses too which are a similar pinky shade and yeh.. I just really love it. It's a great basic.

10. CAMI DRESS: I have this dress about 2 years I think, and it only cost me €5 in the Topshop sale, but I've worn it so many times now that it's cost per wear has to be about 1c by now. It does tend to come out more in AW now though when I can layer a polo neck under it and pair it with a biker jacket.

DIY Bucket Bag

2016-08-01T09:27:00.000+01:00

I've been lusting after a bucket bag for about a year now, and never having found the perfect one at a price I could afford, I started looking into making my own. I had seen a few other DIY tutorials on these and figured I need to take a chance at making my own. It's a very 'in' bag so I guessed now was the time to try it. I stumbled across the perfect pink faux leather in hickeys last week so I bought just half a metre and put this on my to-do list. And it finally got done.

THE INSPO

If you're looking to try your hand at making yourself a handbag, a bucket bag is the place to start. I would imagine it's the easiest to put together as you can easily make your own pattern and the sewing process is quite quick and uncomplicated. So let's go.

YOU WILL NEED:

1/2 metre of fabric

1/2 metre of lining fabric

Scissors

Thread

Sewing Machine

8 eyelets and tool

Measuring tape

Pins

Clips

clockwise r-l : circle of fabric for base // 3'' piece for strap // tie for bag // eyelets, thread, tape measure // fabric scissors // large rectangle of fabric for sides of bag

THE MAIN BODY OF THE BAG

Using whatever circular thing you have, trace around it with a pencil on the underside of the fabric. Cut it out.

To create the sides of the bag you will need a long rectangular piece of fabric. To get the measurements for this you will need to measure the circumference of the circular base you just cut. This will be the measurement for the long side of the rectangle. The short side is whatever height you want your bag to be (plus 1cm seam allowance for turning down the edges).

Pin the two short ends of the main rectangle together and sew a straight line from top to bottom.

Pin the base the the now tubular body of the bag. Use as many pins as you have as this will ensure it's easier to sew. Take your time when sewing this as you'll want to get it right. Repeat this whole process to create the lining of the bag.

LINING THE BAG

Once the lining is also sewn up, pop it inside your bag, making sure the seams aren't visible inside the bag. You may want to trim the lining a little bit shorted than the sides of the bag, as this will make it easier to turn down the edges of the bag. Turn them down 1cm and pin all along it. Don't worry too much about damaging the fabric as you will be sewing over it anyway.

I also added reinforcement to the bottom of the bag, between the lining and the outer fabric. To do this you'll need to cut a circle of cardboard, using the same template as you did for the base, and then carefully cut about 1cm off around the edges so it will fit the size of the base now. You'll also want to stick this down to hold it in place so you can glue it or use double sided tape. Whatever works for you. It will ensure the bag keeps it's shape when there's something inside it.

MAKING THE TIE

To make the string that will tie the bag shut, cut about a 1.5 - 2 inch strip of fabric, about a metre long. fold the sides of the fabric in, like the first picture, and then fold that in half, like the 2nd picture. Sew a line of stitching down the open side of this, and you'll have your tie for your bag. This is also how you'll make the strap.

INSERTING THE EYELETS

To make sure the eyelets are inserted evenly, fold the bag in half ensuring the seam is in the centre, and then fold in the two sides, like the picture above. Clip this in place while you work.

Using the measuring tape, mark where you want your holes to go, making sure they're all equal distance from the side and the top. mark two with a pencil, and with a sharp object, press into the pencil marks to mark through all the fabric.

Cut a small hole to place the eyelet into. Make sure it's slightly smaller than the eyelet and it's a snug fit. Use the instructions of your eyelet set or tool to insert the eyelets. I used the instructions I had, the tool that came with the eyelets and a hammer.

MAKING THE STRAP

using the same method as for the tie, take a piece of fabric 4 times thicker than your want your strap to be. Fold it in half, and half again, like before, and sew down one side. I added an extra line of stitching down the other side, and then down the center, just for some detail.

To attach the strap, fold in about 1cm of the end of the strap and pin it onto the side of the bag. Make sure it's perfectly in line with the other side of the strap. Pin the strap in place and sew around the strap in a square/rectangular motion, repeating it twice for extra security.

THE FINAL PIECE

Hats off to hats

2016-07-27T11:00:00.000+01:00

This quick little OOTD wasn't even going to be featured on the blog. It was just a basic outfit I threw on to go out Pokemon hunting with my boyfriend. Beforehand though, I stopped in Penneys, as you do, and spotted this hat for €1. I bought it, and popped it on straight away, and it made for a much more interesting outfit. So we took a few snaps. It's funny how one accessory can make such a difference to a look but I guess it kind of pulls the whole look together and gives it that effortlessly cool vibe, because the rest of the outfit was a bit effortless.

Hats are a great accessory for Autumn, especially when the weather starts getting a bit chillier and drizzlier (is that a word?). Hats are amazing for keeping a bit of rain off your face and keeping your makeup on, and for glasses wearers, you'll know how much of a pain rain can be, and they're great for keeping glasses dry too. And everyone knows they're great for a bad hair day. Oh, and did I mention they just look super cool?! My favourite style is usually a fedora, I think I own two, but I'm really loving this particular style too. I'm not sure what the style is called, but I'm diggin' it! I'm looking forward to styling it up in different ways, maybe with a dress and boots for a bit of a boho look.

shirt c/o Aeropostale // cami c/o Aeropostale // Flares PLT // Runners, Hat & Bag Penneys // Glasses c/o Glasseshop