Fashion Floats

Fendi Haute Couture Fall Winter 2016/2017 Full Show

2016-07-10T19:43:00.000+01:00

Perhaps my favourite setting for a runway show, ever! Fendi certainly put themselves back on everyone's radar when they delivered this masterpiece. In celebration of the company's 90th anniversary, the show, whimsically entitled Legends and Fairytales was all that and more. The models walked across a glass runway that sat atop the magnificent Trevi Fountain. Models resembled modern day Gretels, ala Hansel and Gretel with embellishment and volume being the most apparent theme. The show which was opened by Kendall Jenner was nothing short of majestic and magical. I shall let the clothes speak for themselves in the video below. Enjoy!

Susanne x.

My Secret Shopping Destination!

2016-06-07T21:22:00.003+01:00

I have always been a fan of MyWardrobe and their stock so I was thrilled when I came across their Depop account. Depop, to those already not in know, is essentially an app-only, e-commerce platform where people can buy and sell new or nearly new clothing and accessories.

Having purchased some beautiful pieces on the MyWardrobe, Depop account over the last few months, I was delighted to receive a very nice email from Sacha Newall. Newall; Head of Sales and Marketing contacted me to say that she had checked out my website and Instagram page and really liked what she saw. She asked me to write a blogpost in exchange for free postage and packing on any items I buy from the site. I'm not really one for sponsored posts but I was buying from the site anyway so I already knew that I liked their stock and I also think it's important for women in business to support each other.

On this occasion I missed out on two items that I was after on the site (Be warned-pieces sell out very quickly on the MyWardobe, Depop account!) so I only ordered one piece but it is a beauty! I managed to snap up a fantastic bargain of a fully lined, buttery suede, fringed skirt for just £18stg. It is divine! The quality is amazing. I will be wearing if for festivals all Summer but I am most looking forward to wearing it in the winter with black opaque tights, over the knee boots and a slouchy cashmere knit ala Olivia Palermo! The majority of the MyWardrobe stock are pretty, timeless and just a little different and this is what I love and seek out when I'm buying something new. In fact such is my love of the stock on the site that I feel if I were ever to own my boutique, I would buy almost identically. A joy to find indeed!

My suede skirt. Each purchase comes beautifully wrapped and every month there is a signature scent sprayed on the
tissue paper that wraps your clothes. It is these little details that I love about MyWardrobe.

Mywardrobe.com launched back in 2006 when the online landscape was a very different place. MyWardrobe sold affordable, quality, designer clothes to savvy fashion-lovers. Prices crept up and MyWardrobe's loyal followers started to feel that the website had lost touch with who they were and what they wanted. When a new management team bought the company in 2014, Sacha Newall became involved. As head of Sales and Marketing, Sacha was integral as they attempted to return MyWardrobe to its roots with fashion forward picks at fantastic prices. The shoppers returned, but the overheads of the business were too high and unfortunately the website closed in 2015 and some parts of the business were sold to Net A Porter.

Not being ones to admit defeat, some of the MyWardrobe management had noticed a trend with their customers and so decided to maintain the MyWardrobe label. Along with starting Fitness focused days, they decided to sell their collection in to a small selection of boutiques and within the platform Depop. Of the Fitness events Sacha says "We knew that most of our customers ranked exercise as one of their main interests' says Sacha, "We partner with various fitness companies and host public Fashion and Fitness events. There is a small charge for the event and the charge is redeemable against anything from the mini boutique that is set up on the day."

Sacha believes that the secret to the new MyWardrobe guise is "offering fashion forward pieces, one-off items and beautifully crafted pieces, all at competitive prices" She continues "we have to be really clever about sourcing our stock. We have our own line which is designed by Antonio Neto, we call the look Advanced Contemporary, think Comme des Garcons and Shoreditch which is avant-garde and edgy. To balance this, they work with a couture trained dressmaker. This Winter, as well as some stunning gowns they have some exciting new Winter coats arriving in cashmere and silk. Sacha finishes by saying "We also work with a saddler who makes our 'Lasts a Lifetime' bags and purses. They are made out of beautiful leather and get better with age. Prices range from £50stg to £200stg, it's the quality, not the prices that make these 'forever pieces'. Along with these, we also source catwalk pieces from international designers and brand new stock from online retailers or boutiques that prefer to clear their stock off-site. Our own line is selling really well, and as we continue to introduce new customers through our fashion and fitness events, we are about to launch our own fashion-forward fitness collection. The new MyWardrobe is for everyone, whether you are looking for a classic everyday luxury staple or a showstopper." I couldn't agree more. I only wish that I could have kept their Depop account as my secret shopping destination for a while longer!

Blog soon,
Susanne x.

Find Mywardrobe on Depop at www.depop.com/mywardrobeuk
On Instagram www.instagram.com/mywardrobe_uk
Or attend their Fashion and Fitness events, www.the-find.co.uk
The next Fashion and Fitness event is scheduled for July 1 in Holland Park in London in conjunction with No1 Bootcamp http://www.no1bootcamp.com/

HOW TO RUIN YOUR LIFE (WITHOUT EVEN NOTICING THAT YOU ARE)

2016-04-20T18:18:00.000+01:00

I read this after my cousin shared it on Facebook. It struck such a chord with me that I knew I just had to share it with you. There are a lot of thought provoking messages in the piece but I think the one that stands out the most to me is to just be yourself. Stop comparing yourself to others and to remember that there is no right or wrong way to live a life.

Understand that life is not a straight line. Life is not a set timeline of milestones. It is okay if you don’t finish school, get married, find a job that supports you, have a family, make money, and live comfortably all by this age, or that age. It’s okay if you do, as long as you understand that if you’re not married by 25, or a Vice President by 30 — or even happy, for that matter — the world isn’t going to condemn you. You are allowed to backtrack. You are allowed to figure out what inspires you. You are allowed time, and I think we often forget that. We choose a program right out of high school because the proper thing to do is to go straight to University. We choose a job right out of University, even if we didn’t love our program, because we just invested time into it. We go to that job every morning because we feel the need to support ourselves abundantly. We take the next step, and the next step, and the next step, thinking that we are fulfilling some checklist for life, and one day we wake up depressed. We wake up stressed out. We feel pressured and don’t know why. That is how you ruin your life.

You ruin your life by choosing the wrong person. What is it with our need to fast-track relationships? Why are we so enamoured with the idea of first becoming somebody’s rather than somebodies? Trust me when I say that a love bred out of convenience, a love that blossoms from the need to sleep beside someone, a love that caters to our need for attention rather than passion, is a love that will not inspire you at 6am when you roll over and embrace it. Strive to discover foundational love, the kind of relationship that motivates you to be a better man or woman, the kind of intimacy that is rare rather than right there. “But I don’t want to be alone,” we often exclaim. Be alone. Eat alone, take yourself on dates, sleep alone. In the midst of this you will learn about yourself. You will grow, you will figure out what inspires you, you will curate your own dreams, your own beliefs, your own stunning clarity, and when you do meet the person who makes your cells dance, you will be sure of it, because you are sure of yourself. Wait for it. Please, I urge you to wait for it, to fight for it, to make an effort for it if you have already found it, because it is the most beautiful thing your heart will experience.

You ruin your life by letting your past govern it. It is common for certain things in life to happen to you. There will be heartbreak, confusion, days where you feel like you aren’t special or purposeful. There are moments that will stay with you, words that will stick. You cannot let these define you – they were simply moments, they were simply words. If you allow for every negative event in your life to outline how you view yourself, you will view the world around you negatively. You will miss out on opportunities because you didn’t get that promotion five years ago, convincing yourself that you were stupid. You will miss out on affection because you assumed your past love left you because you weren't good enough, and now you don’t believe the man or the woman who urges you to believe you are. This is a cyclic, self-fulfilling prophecy. If you don’t allow yourself to move past what happened, what was said, what was felt, you will look at your future with that lens, and nothing will be able to breach that judgment. You will keep on justifying, reliving, and fueling a perception that shouldn't have existed in the first place.

You ruin your life when you compare yourself to others. The amount of Instagram followers you have does not decrease or increase your value. The amount of money in your bank account will not influence your compassion, your intelligence, or your happiness. The person who has two times more possessions than you does not have double the bliss, or double the merit. We get caught up in what our friends are liking, who our significant others are following, and at the end of the day this not only ruins our lives, but it also ruins us. It creates within us this need to feel important, and in many cases we often put others down to achieve that.

You ruin your life by desensitizing yourself. We are all afraid to say too much, to feel too deeply, to let people know what they mean to us. Caring is not synonymous with crazy. Expressing to someone how special they are to you will make you vulnerable. There is no denying that. However, that is nothing to be ashamed of. There is something breathtakingly beautiful in the moments of smaller magic that occur when you strip down and are honest with those who are important to you. Let that girl know that she inspires you. Tell your mother you love her in front of your friends. Express, express, express. Open yourself up, do not harden yourself to the world, and be bold in who, and how, you love. There is courage in that.

You ruin your life by tolerating it. At the end of the day you should be excited to be alive. When you settle for anything less than what you innately desire, you destroy the possibility that lives inside of you, and in that way you cheat both yourself and the world of your potential. The next Michelangelo could be sitting behind a Macbook right now writing an invoice for paperclips, because it pays the bills, or because it is comfortable, or because he can tolerate it. Do not let this happen to you. Do not ruin your life this way. Life and work, and life and love, are not irrespective of each other. They are intrinsically linked. We have to strive to do extraordinary work, we have to strive to find extraordinary love. Only then will we tap into an extraordinarily blissful life.

Originally published by Thought Catalog at thoughtcatalog.com

Outdoor Living With Dunnes Stores

2016-04-06T13:40:00.003+01:00

One of my favourite things about working in fashion was all the incredibly talented people that I got to work with over the years. Way back in the early 2000's I managed a small ladies boutique that specialised in contemporary, unisex, trend-driven clothing. It was while I was working here that I met Aisling Denieffe, a fellow fashion mad, Carlovian.

Many years have passed since and that boutique has long since closed but Aisling and I have kept in touch and I love following her progress as she returned to college to study Fashion Buying and Merchandising. Aisling is now happily employed in Dunnes stores as the Assistant Buyer for Outdoor and Seasonal. She recently contacted me with some photos of Dunnes latest Homewares range for which she is partly responsible for.

Specialising in contemporary outdoor pieces, Aisling has managed to create a collection that is both stylish and practical. The price points are (on the whole) very reasonable too. I knew as soon as I saw the pieces in Aisling's range that I had to share them with you here on the blog. I know you're going to love it. There is quite literally something to suit every taste.

The range is comprised of outdoor furniture, crockery, lighting and accessories. The furniture is predominantly wrought iron with a romantic, vintage feel. The Romance Metal Art Bench is sure to be a best seller as pieces like this are not found in Ikea. Within the crockery collection are three themes; the Casablanca collection is the one I think most people will be drawn to. It is brightly coloured, evoking days of a Moroccan souk . It is practically made from melamine, a plastic that resembles china but is known for it's strength and durability, perfect for outdoor usage.

The glassware collection that caught my eye is the hand painted In Bloom collection. The glass tumblers are on my wish list managing to look whimsical and cool at the same time. Though I myself am not usually a floral lover within an interior setting, I do think that these pieces will be a best seller, appealing to all the floral loving, Cath Kidston types.

Within the range you will also find a selection of accessories including gardening tools, the (apparently now essential) garden Buddha statues, quirky lighting ideas and my personal favourite, the arched mirror. I can see this piece and the In Bloom tumblers on my balcony by the end of the summer! With prices ranging from just €2.50 for a brightly coloured, plastic cutlery set, this range is perfect for gift ideas as well as essential outdoor pieces. If this season is anything to go by it will grow from strength to strength. Shop the full collection now from here As an aside, Well done Aisling. You should be very proud! :)

My top three red carpet Oscar gowns.

2016-02-29T13:26:00.001+00:00

Sophie Vergara wearing Marchesa

Naomi Watts wearing Armani Prive

Brie Larson wearing Gucci.

2016-02-19T12:43:00.001+00:00

New York Fashion Week - My Favourite Street Style Images

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All Images Courtesy of Phil Oh

Pappardelle Pasta With Caramelised Onions

2016-02-19T12:40:00.002+00:00

This dish has to be the simplest and tastiest supper I've come across in a long time. I first spotted it on the Snapchat account of Fashion Floats Favourite, James Kavanagh. James' boyfriend William cooks delicious and easily replicated recipes on a regular basis. I have often salivated at the Snaps but this was my first time to try make one of his dishes myself. I googled the recipe after seeing the result and it turns out that Martha Stewart counts this recipe amongst her favourites too. If it's good enough for Martha , it's good enough for me!

When the cupboards are bare most people will have pasta and onions in their armour. The slow cooking of the onions ensures a delicious subtle sweetness. The yoghurt is optional but the parmesan is essential in my eyes.

INGREDIENTS

1 packet of Pappardelle pasta (Fettucinne can be substituted)
4 medium onions - sliced into fine rings and then halved
2 tablespoons natural yoghurt
2 oz Parmesan cheese - pared
1 tablespoon butter
Coarse black pepper and sea salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme - optional

METHOD

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onions and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cover, and cook, without stirring, until onions have released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Uncover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. When bottom of skillet darkens, add a few tablespoons water, and scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon (you may need to do this 2 or 3 times).
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When onions have about 10 minutes left to cook, add pasta to water in pot, and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot.
Add onions and butter to pasta in pot; season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Gradually add enough pasta water to create a thin sauce that coats pasta. Serve pasta topped with Parmesan.

Serve with a mixed green salad and enjoy!
This serves 2 people. Use 2 onions per person.

Chanel Haute Couture SS16

2016-02-02T13:14:00.003+00:00

The "lob" It's going nowhere!

2016-02-02T12:55:00.000+00:00

There seems to be no sign of the lob (or long bob for those who have being living under a rock for the last two years!) trend disappearing. Every week we are treated to another celebrity who has "gone for the chop" So what is it exactly about this hairstyle that has made it so popular?

Well unlike many faddish hairstyles, the lob is genuinely low maintenance and versatile. There is enough length left that the hair can still be tied back or up. The extra length means that the hair can be waved or curled if naturally straight and the general "mussed up" look means that the layers grow into a longer style without the need for expensive trims and upkeep.

I had very long hair until two years ago. I cut my hair quite short when I was made redundant. It was definitely shorter than a lob but I loved it. A few trims later and I am now growing my hair again (vowing of course to "never" cut it again!) My own hair is now at the lob stage and I do find it incredible easy to manage. I would definitely recommend the lob for those looking for a hair change. A few tips; Make sure you have a stylist that you trust. If you're unsure ask someone who's haircut you really like, who their stylist is and most importantly would they recommend that person. Bring in photos when you are going to your appointment. Every stylist loves a bit of guidance. And the best advice I can give; embrace the change!

Annual Birthday Giveaway!

2016-01-25T13:09:00.003+00:00

FashionFloats.com is 6 years old! To celebrate and to say thanks to you, my readers you can win all the goodies below, valued at over €150! To enter, head over to my Instagram account, find the haul photo as shown below and follow the 2 simple steps!

Included are Shampoo and Conditioner from the luxury Shu Uemura Art of Hair range, a beautiful Karen Millen evening bag, French Connection Makeup and if that wasn't enough, there are more products from Clinique, Lancome, St Moriz, Maybelline and Simple. Lastly I have included two pairs of FashionFloats Accessories earrings. The winner will be picked on Sunday January 31st.
Good luck Lovelies! x

What To Wear When You're Sick Of Jeans But Still Want To Look Cool

2016-01-22T13:57:00.001+00:00

I love jeans but I definitely have an all or nothing relationship with them. I might wear a pair every day for a month (not the same pair!) then not put them on me for three months. I do love the edge that denim adds to a look however and when I'm in a no jeans phase, I find it takes longer to achieve that laid back nonchalance that is so easily achieved with denim.

Personally I am a big fan of textured fabrics (in case you didn't already know!) so I think throwing on your favourite pair of leather leggings, a cosy knit and giant scarf is a good way to replicate the feel of edgy denim looks. Similarly a leather skirt or jacket can have the same effect when worn correctly.

It's no secret that I'm an absolute Pinterest fanatic and when I find myself totally lacking ideas for an outfit that I can both look and feel good in, that little wonderland of online inspiration is my first port-of-call. Aside from being completely user friendly, there really is pretty much nothing that you can't or won't find on Pinterest. With a few words specified, you can be led down into an Aladdin's cave packed with blogger and celebrity looks to suit your search.

Like I said earlier make clothing textures and layers your friend; a silk dress layered with a cardigan and scarf is a go to look for me in slightly warmer months. Change the knit up for something warmer in the cooler months, add opaque tights and boots and voila-another edgy off duty look that will become a go-to fail-safe outfit in your wardrobe!

----------------------------SHOP THE LOOK----------------------

CLICK TO BUY!

Review of Nyx Pore Filler

2016-01-22T12:41:00.001+00:00

Price: €17.00

Size 20ml

The packaging is simple and attractive. I like that. Unfortunately that is where my like of this product ends. It states on the box that the pore filler can be used under or over make-up, as a primer or may also may be worn by itself.

The product felt nice when applied to the face however it doesn't go spread easily so far too much product is necessary. The appearance is translucent and it feels silicone based.

Upon application there definitely wasn't a noticeable difference with my pores and I really don't feel this product could replace a primer in any shape or form.

Bottom Line: Quite simply this product doesn't seem to do what it promises, i.e. reduce pore size. along with that I found my skin very dry after a week of using this product.

Would I recommend this a friend? : Most definitely not. Save your money!

2016-01-08T12:31:00.001+00:00

Healthy Chicken Saag

If you're following me on Snapchat (susemcd) you'll know that I'm on a big health kick for the new year. I love cooking and often share snaps of me cooking there. This recipe that I cooked and posted yesterday. I got a lot of feedback with requests for the recipe so here it is!

Saag is an Indian dish. the base of the sauce is tomatoes and spinach. I've eaten takeaway versions of this and they were loaded with butter and cream. This recipe has neither and tastes delicious without! I use frozen spinach as I always have it in the freezer. It comes in a bag of little blocks and I use about 8 of those. This is the perfect "Fakeaway"; for when you are trying to be healthy but want something quick and tasty!

Prep Time: 5 minutes.
Cooking time: 20 minutes (Can be left for longer to simmer)
Difficulty: 2/5

Ingredients:

400g chicken breast, cut into strips
1/2 tin chopped tomatoes
150g chopped or baby spinach/ 8 cubes of frozen spinach.
1 onion - finely chopped
2 cloves garlic /2 tsp garlic puree
1 tsp ready chopped chilli
4 cardomom pods, seeds only
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp coriander
3 tsp cumin
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon olive / sesame oil
1 Low salt/ sodium stock cube/stock pot - chicken or vegetable
200ml water

Directions

1.Fry the chicken in the olive oil for 3/4 minutes.
2.Add the onion and garlic and fry them for a further 3/4 minutes.
3. Add the remainder of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.

Serve with basmati rice. I also serve mine with a side order of sliced dry-fried onions and red peppers.

To Garnish: a sprinkling of flaked almonds and chopped fresh coriander.

Optional: For a slightly more indulgent version, add a tablespoon of creme fraiche.

New Years Resolutions

2016-01-05T17:31:00.004+00:00

I have never been a big fan of New Years Resolutions; mainly because I don't seem to stick to them!
But I have never been one to give up so I, along with most of you, I'm sure have written a little list to help 2016 be a better year for me in every aspect. It's not a long list but I have had lots of messages from you asking to know more about me so that's why I am sharing this with you :)

In my last post on New Years Eve, you will see that I chose a word at the beginning of every year; A word that I want to represent the year ahead. One word seems to give me focus. The word for this year is "Success"

success

səkˈsɛs/

noun

1.
the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

"the president had some success in restoring confidence"

synonyms: favourable outcome, successfulness, favourable result, successful outcome, positive result, victory, triumph

"we are very encouraged by the success of the scheme"
2.

archaic

the good or bad outcome of an undertaking.

"the good or ill success of their maritime enterprises"

1. The first area I want to succeed his year is my fitness. I know, I know. Everyone vows to get fit in January. I do intend to succeed (there's that word again) though. In all honesty I hate exercise! I will always find something to do in order to avoid any exercise I have planned. I do however love walking so in an effort to stay realistic I am going to make sure that I get out walking at least four times a week. There is something so exhilarating about throwing on my Nikes and getting out in nature, This is completely achievable and therefore sustainable! Most importantly exercise is the best form of therapy and having suffered with bad anxiety attacks for the last few years, I know only too well just how much a walk can clear the head. Ultimately I would like to rely on exercise and not medication to help when an attack hits.

2. I am also back on my health kick, regarding my food. I have never used the word diet because I feel it sounds short term. I am actually good at eating the right foods and am lucky enough to be a good cook. It just seems that for the last six months I got lazy so this has stopped. I find it really relaxing to get into the kitchen and create a new dish. With that in mind, this resolution should be totally achievable. Don't get me wrong though I have a tendency to be lazy and if I don't have the right food in my fridge and cupboards, I will tend towards pasta and bread which are fine in moderation but not every day. One of my best friends has managed to lose 2.5 stone last with Slimming World so I am seriously considering this. I have also invested in Miss Fit Skinny Tea to help me along. My cousin is getting married in Portugal in July so having a goal to work towards really helps too! I will be sharing more recipes on my Snapchat (susemcd) so add me there if you don't follow me already.

3. When I was made redundant in May of 2014, my confidence took a big knock. Although it was great to have some proper time off I found I was unable to relax as I was so unsure as to what I wanted to do with my career. I applied for college and successfully obtained my first choice. However it didn't take very long for me to realise that the course and full time education were just not for me. It took a while but I eventually made my decision and I am certain that I made the right decision for me. I know I don't have the support of all my friends or family but well that's life and if I was to try keep everyone in my life happy, I would be a shadow of my former self not to mention, unhappy! The old adage of "Those who matter don't judge and those who judge don't matter" became my mantra when I worried about telling people of my decision. As I mentioned earlier I learned in 2015 to do what makes me happy and to not seek approval from others. The decision regarding college was certainly the catalyst in that lesson. I fully intend to keep educating myself but I will do it in smaller courses, in a way that I can achieve a healthy work/life balance while remaining true to myself. I have signed up with the Local Enterprise Board and am looking forward to all that they can help me achieve.

4. Fashion Floats has been around since 2010. There have been lots of little changes along the way as I attempt to keep the content fresh for you. 2016 will be a big year for the blog when I intend to add an online shop to the site. I also want to achieve more followers on both Instagram and Snapchat and I also would like to meet more fellow Bloggers. As I'm not really the face of Fashion Floats, I will need to find a way to combine all this. I have a few ideas and I am very excited about them! Whilst I'm writing this I must remind you all about the annual competition that I will be running to celebrate 6 years of blogging. This time the competition will be run exclusively on Instagram so if you're not already following me there, do it now!

So that's it. I could go into way more detail as when I start to type, I find it difficult to stop but I won't bore you all. As always please do leave suggestions or comments over on my Instagram if there is anything new that you would like to see here on the blog. And of course I love receiving emails from you all too. I always endeavour to reply to them all! I hope my resolutions have given you some food for thought and maybe even inspired some of you!

Blog Soon,

Suse x.

Happy New Year

2016-01-04T20:42:00.002+00:00

I just have time for a quick blog post before my I head out to celebrate New Years Eve. I am a big fan of a new year as for me it holds so much promise. I described it today to my good friend Colin, as akin to starting a new copy when I was in school. You'd vow that each page would be neat and perfect. By the time you were a few pages into it, being neat and perfect didn't matter because you were learning new things and that has nothing to do with perfection.

Every year I chose a word that will represent my coming year. Last year I chose "education" and although this year education did indeed play a huge role, it wasn't at all how I expected, as life often is.

You know how every few years there is a "big year" in your life; one where a milestone event occurs or you feel you have learned a lot. 2015 has been one of those years for me. I won't bore you all by going into every little thing that happened to me but suffice to say that through a great deal of trial and error, I have learned to trust my own thoughts and feelings; to not look for approval from others when making decisions about me and my life. At thirty eight years old, I knew that this was something I needed to hone and develop but I just didn't know how to go about it. Anyone that knows me well, will tell you that I am fiercely independent so perhaps it was just a matter of time until I started to trust myself and my own intuition more. Regardless 2015 will stick in my head as the year that I learned to trust myself and not need validation from everyone else which is only positive! Which brings me nicely onto 2016.

This year the word I have chosen to represent it is Success. I am confident that armed with last years lessons, I am going to be very successful in love, health and wealth and If I could have one wish for you all, it would be the same!

Blog Soon,

Suse x.

Fashion Floats Favourite Street Style Looks From Fashion Week 2015

2015-09-22T22:03:00.001+01:00

Curiousity

2015-09-08T21:04:00.000+01:00

Picks Of The Week

2015-08-25T14:30:00.001+01:00

So a new season is almost upon is. Whilst the "Summer" in Ireland has been less than Summery you can be sure that as soon as September rolls around and the school uniforms are out again that the sun will indeed show its face! I digress. Summer stock is now only to be seen hanging in lonely corners of stores and in scant amounts of the Sale sections on websites. Winter woollies can now be seen in abundance. Rich berry shades are interspersed with suede (the new leather) and velvet. Shapes are predominantly 70's inspired with a-line skirts and flared jeans or trousers being seen in the majority of the bigger fashion houses collections. There is no need to run out now and buy an entire new wardrobe. For one, not many of us could afford to do this and secondly the way fashion works now, there are new collections delivered so frequently it could make your head spin!

For now I've picked what I think you should be considering this week from the high street in terms of investment pieces. These pieces are perfect to wear as we transition from Summer to Autumn and beyond.

First up is Zara.com They have produced another stellar collection. They manage yet again to blend that elusive cool girl edge with wearability. I have chosen this knitted jacket as my first star buy from ZARA this season for a few reasons; I think this piece would work really hard in your wardrobe. Wear it over summer dresses with ankle boots and bare legs right now. For the less brave, it will smarten a pair of jeans. Personally I think this would work great as a coat until the really cold weather sets in. This easy piece is bang on trend with the faux-shearling collar being a nod to the 70's. That said I guarantee that this is something you will pull out of your wardrobe year after year. The warm maroon colour is very complimentary to Irish skin tones but is subtle enough to be neutral. It is also available in a brown mix that would actually pass as black. But to me the real beauty of this jacket is that depending on your personal style, it really will work in with most peoples wardrobes; it can be classic, cool or edgy. Very clever indeed. I will be buying this and wearing it ala Ali Mc Graw in Love Story with a chunky knitted scarf and hat. Not matching though. Never matching!

CLICK TO BUY

Next up are these beauties from River Island Admittedly Leopard Print is not for everyone but if like me, your wardrobe is predominantly made up of black clothing, these boots will be the perfect addition to your new season shoe wardrobe. In addition leopard print never goes out of fashion. The secret to wearing leopard print is to wear it in very small amounts. For me that is in my accessories. Wear these boots now with your jean ends rolled. For a night out try a simple little black dress and bare legs for a touch of French girl chic, which incidentally is one of the stories that River Island are including this season- La Parisienne. They will work equally well with opaque tights in a month or so. There are other boots around this season that resemble these but River Island have definitely won the high street battle with their pair by adding the metallic accent and perfect heel height. With Dolce and Gabbana showing a similar if not less wearable and obviously affordable pair, these boots are sure to sell out quick time so get yours now!

BUY HERE

My last pick for this week is this sleek jumpsuit from Mango. There are endless styling options with this piece. For now it can be worn as the model is wearing it. But think further into the season and this can be worn layered with a shirt or polo, chunky knitwear, tights and boots. Wear it with flats for work or add heels for evening. Statement jewellery will finish this look off! Brilliantly versatile!

BUY HERE

Blog Soon,

Susanne @ Fashion Floats FF x.

Blush

2015-08-22T17:20:00.000+01:00

Sale Shopping

2015-06-30T15:25:00.001+01:00

Saturday Sale Shopping!

With the Summer sales starting earlier every year it is a win, win situation for the consumers. I mean as customers we are only getting used to wearing skirts with no tights and the retailers are already putting out Winter stock. With twenty years experience in retail, I can tell you it was more than a little frustrating to be reducing stock to half price when it had hardly got a chance to be sold at full price. But now I am no longer working in the retail sector, I am of course delighted to be bagging bargains! :)

Just yesterday I scored these boots from Mango. All of their Sale stock is now half price. I had been looking at the boots online all season. When none of the sizes had sold out after a few weeks I had a feeling that they would be in the Summer sale and sure enough, I got them yesterday reduced from €89.95 to €44.95! I'm delighted. I wear this style of boot with bare legs and little skirts and dresses every Summer. I tend to go more bohemian in the Summer and more pared back in the Winter so I think these boots will work really hard for the rest of the Summer in my wardrobe. I haven't worn Mango's footwear before so I'll be interested to see if they are comfortable. I'll let you know when I receive them in the post!

Click the photo to view the boots on Mango.com

The Fashion Bloggers favourite, ZARA are in sale too. They have yet to reduce everything to half price. To be honest I am more than a little disappointed with ZARA this season. I think it's the first time in a very long time that I haven't purchased from them. Anyway I have taken a little look again this morning and picked this as my star buy from ZARA's sale.

Click on the photo to view on Zara.com

I love a sale buy that can take you through more than one season. Although this knitted coat-style cardigan is quite of the moment, I think its' definitely a piece that you could pull out of your wardrobe year after year. The colour palette means it won't date and I think this piece could look equally great worn over a little black dress with a pair of ankle boots for a night out, in the hi-lo style which is so popular now. The cotton acrylic mix means it won't pill. Also there will be some heat in it whilst being lightweight. I think it is a brilliant trans-seasonal wardrobe piece and at only €39.95 this is a piece that is sure to work hard in your wardrobe! I mean, what's not to love?!

I'll do another blogpost on Sale buys next week. If you're looking for any piece in particular, maybe an outfit for a special occasion, just email me here and I'll do the hard work for you!

Susanne @ Fashion Floats

xxx

Street Style - Milan

2015-06-29T16:01:00.004+01:00

Susanne @ Fashion Floats

xxx

Bitchin'

2015-06-23T11:01:00.000+01:00

Aminah Abdul Jillil

2015-05-28T15:14:00.001+01:00

Since joining Instagram earlier this year, I have realised that there are so many gorgeous and undiscovered labels out there; labels that you might never hear of. If like me, you like to wear something different, this this is the place for you! I will endeavour to bring you as many of these finds from across the globe. I will do the hard work so you don't have to! If you would like me to feature your brand, just drop me a mail here, Susanne x.

Her Story
I'd be spotting these fabulous dramatic, ankle-bow shoes on Pinterest for the last six months or so but just couldn't find a source for them.....until today. Aminah started out as a professional dancer in Los Angeles, performing with some of the biggest names in the industry music including Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. In 2012, after completing her third world tour with Britney, Aminah launched her first collection of women's shoes selling mostly online and a few L.A based boutiques including the iconic Fred Segal. Her first collection did quite well when Rihanna chose to wear one of her designs in the "Where Have You Been" music video! Aminah's career as a dancer has taken her around the world and cultivated her eye for culture, art, design and fashion. She hopes to continue with both of her passions and is excited to see where they take her next. What makes Aminah Abdul-Jillil's designs unique is her excitement to "try something different"

The Collection
Chances are, if you follow a style blog (apart from mine of course!) or have a fashion board on Pinterest, you have pinned or seen a pair of Aminah's ankle bow shoes without knowing who they were. They have achieved that delicate balance of being elegant and edgy whilst still being glamorous. They fall on the right side of pared back; just enough to be spotted on the feet of French editors, which as any girl who knows her Fendi from her fakes will know, is the holy grail of fashion product placement.
The best selling bowed beauties, have just been released in a special limited edition, matte blush. They are also available in a platform and flat versions. For those loving studding or sparkle, there is the most divine embellished crystal court shoe that are stunning and unique in their design and I have seen A LOT of embellished courts. The collection also includes two ankle boots that ooze sex appeal. In total, the collection has thirteen styles. Each pair of shoes are all leather. The colours in each style are predominantly red, black and nude with a touch of metallics thrown in.

Where and How Much?
Currently only available from their own website here The good news is that for all leather footwear the prices are very affordable. I mean don't get me wrong, they're a treat but still an affordable treat. With flats starting at $165.00 (approx €150.00) the bow-toe ankle shoes are $215.00 (approx €195.00) and the crystal pump are the highest price point at $375.00 (approx €345.00)

Perfect If
- If you work in fashion, you are a girly-girl or if you just adore shoes!

Fashion Floats Thinks
- Judging by her collection, I think Aminah & I could be friends. Is that weird?

Maybe but it's true! You can tell a lot about a person by their choice of footwear!

- The collection is a fashionista's idea of shoe heaven.

- Is excellently priced.
- I would happily choose the ankle-bow shoes as my evening wear shoe of choice forever!
- There is a lot more to come from this designer.
- For the unconventional bride-to-be, the crystal pump are a great idea.

- It's a shame the collection is not more readily available especially in Europe. With the taxes

on purchases from America, it practically doubles the price for us here in Ireland.

- Are not for the faint hearted
- The best is yet to come for Aminah Abdul-Jillil!

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2015-05-23T12:06:00.001+01:00

Memorial Day Sales!

Whilst Memorial Day is an American holiday; I couldn't miss this opportunity to some of the sites that are offering fantastic discounts for today only! Happy Shopping people! :)

Photo via The Sartorialist

+ Anthropologie: 20% off sale items with code GONEFISHING

+ ASOS: 20% off with code LONGWKND

+ Banana Republic: 40% off with code BRSUMMER

+ Barney's Warehouse: Up to 50% off

+ Bauble Bar: Up to 40% off

+ Bloomingdales: Up to 70% off

+ Club Monaco: Extra 30% off sale and clearance items with code MEMORIALDAY

+ Current/Elliott: Extra 20% off sale items with code MD2015

+ Dailylook: Up to 25% off with code STYLESUMMER

+ DVF: Extra 30% off sale items with code SUMMER30

+ Equipment: Extra 20% off sale items with code MD2015

+ Forever21: 30% off select items

+ French Connection: 30% off with code FC30MS

+ Gap: Up to 40% off with code SUMMER

+ J.Crew: 30% off with code WEEKEND

+ Joie: 20% off with code MD2015

+ Loeffler Randall: 30% off resort and spring shoes and handbags

+ Lord & Taylor // 20% off off sale and clearance items with code MEMORIAL

+ Missguided // 20% off selected holiday shop items with code HOLLA

+ Nasty Gal: Up to 40% off select items with code HOT$TUFF

+ Nordstrom: Up to 40% off

+ Old Navy: Up to 50% off

+ Revolve: Up to 75% off

2015-05-12T14:23:00.002+01:00

Since joining Instagram earlier this year, I have realised that there are so many gorgeous and somewhat undiscovered labels out there. Labels that you might never hear of. If like me, you like something a little different, then this is the place for you! I will endeavour to bring you as many of these finds as I can from across the globe. I will do the hard work so you don't have to! If you would like me to feature your brand, just drop me a mail here, Susanne x.

Mary K Jewellery

Having worked in fashion for over twenty years, I came across this gorgeous collection two years ago. I instantly clicked with Mary Kernan who, like the collection is understated and elegant. The range encompasses earrings, bracelets and delicate neck chains.

Their Story
The eponymously named label is a one woman show, owned and run by the consummate lady, Mary Kernan. Mary has been working with silver jewellery for over twenty years. Combine this experience with a past in fashion buying and Mary has created a beautifully understated collection that manages to be cohesive yet varied. She travels internationally to source the semi-precious stones and metals she uses in the range. In 2010 Mary recognised that the jewellery market was about to explode and decided to branch out. Consequently the collection now includes gold plating, semi precious stones and most recently, rose-gold. Re-branding ensued and the rest as they. say is history!

The Collection

The collection currently comprises five smaller individually named selections. Although each of these undoubtedly tells its own story, the underlying tone is one of understated, laid-back and ultimately wearable elegance. Included in the collection are fine layered chains, drop earrings featuring various shapes and metals and in some cases semi-precious stones in rainbow inspired tones. The five selections include Sienna, named after Sienna Miller. Naturally this troupe has a laid back bohemian vibe and features lotus leaves, feathers, coins and simple hoops. It is proving hugely popular. There are also the Om, Raindance, Rosa and Azure selections. The aptly named Raindance is perfect if you like a bit of sparkle but don't want to sacrifice elegance. It is inspired by this natural delight and includes fine silver and vermeil chains interspersed with sparkling simulated diamond (cubic circona) droplets. Rosa is exactly what it sounds like and includes some of the collections best sellers from past seasons aswell as some new pieces, all delicately hand-crafted in Rose Gold. Azure features delicate vermeil encased aqua gems. This was by far our biggest seller when I worked in retail. My personal favourite is Om; Om includes subtle stars and symbols and is inspired by ancient cultures where symbols have power and meaning. Each piece is packaged in either a small velveteen pouch or box, depending on the size, upon purchase.

Where & How Much?

Prices start at just €30.00 approx for the simpler earrings and generally most of the collection comes in under €100.00 The more ornate pieces sell for up to €295.00 These pieces are intricate and timeless; true investment pieces. View the collection on their own site here and click here for the list of Irish stockists.

Perfect If
You are not a slave to fashion. You like to wear jewellery as opposed to jewellery wearing you.

Fashion Floats Thinks

~There is something in this collection for everyone. It really does cover all styles and tastes

seamlessly. I love this.

~This collection makes for perfect gifts, whether for a loved one or as a treat for yourself!

~It's a shame that the collection is not available to purchase from their own site. I have no

doubt that if it were, it would be a runaway success.

~ The packaging is beautiful. It really completes the image of understated elegance. If only

more brands would recognise the importance of the complete buying experience.

~It would be great if the brand was more active on social media. I love to see regular updates

from my favourite designers and collections.

~If I were a bride-to-be I would consider the aqua drop earrings for the evening as an

unexpected twist and as my "something blue"

~I would happily wear no other jewellery other than this label for the rest of my days.

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