My new(est) bag

I'm usually quite practical about choosing bags that don't need to be held in my hand - shoulder straps or cross-body straps make life so much easier. But I fell in love with this embroidered bag by APC, so when I saw it in the sale I had to have it. The handles are mother of pearl and the bag is lined in cotton with a zipped internal pocket. There's also a magnetized closure at the top. With plenty of room for magazines, sunglasses or umbrellas, caution will probably result in me waiting for a sunny day to take this new acquisition out...

Could it be...? Veronica Mars on the big screen?

Probably my favourite tv show that no-one else has ever seen, I am trying not to get too excited (and failing miserably) over the news that Veronica Mars may be headed for the big screen.

Buzzsugar is reporting that Rob Thomas recently confirmed his availability to write a script, along with executive producer Joel Silver's interest in getting the project going. With Kristin Bell apparently willing to reprise her role as the street-smart private detective (think Buffy without the vampires and demons if you haven't seen it), and Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls) and Enrico Colantoni (Keith Mars) also being consulted, things are looking good, though of course this is no guarantee I'll be sitting in a cinema watching Veronica Mars do her thing any time soon.

The optimist in me is still excited...

Fashion Bloggers' Brunch at the Dylan

The lovely Annmarie O'Connor organised yet another fantastic Fashion Bloggers' Brunch this weekend. A whole crowd of us delighted over the beautifully-packaged aprons from Clodagh McKenna's Love Aprons range and tucked into delicious Eggs Florentine, pancakes and french toast (as well as some of the best chips I've had in a while), thanks to the Dylan Hotel.

Check out the action over at I Blog Fashion!

The psychology of sale shopping

I'll tell you a little secret - I'm not very good at sale shopping. Some people have a magical talent for rifling through racks of clothing and picking out amazing pieces for 70% off. I have a tendency to see a wall of mismatched and uncoordinated rags that look like they were last on a hanger in the shop three years ago and have only been brought out of dusty storage at sale time every year since.

I suppose it's not surprising, therefore, that sale shopping online is so much easier. Everything is laid out nicely on a clean white background, grouped into categories to make searching easy, and on the APC site they even make your shopping basket look like this:



It sort of reminds me of when I used to dress paper dolls in cut-out clothes and I like the way you see a whole outfit come together on the page. A lot more fun than those picked-over heaps of clothing in the shops, it has to be said.

An Early Valentine from Pretty Ballerinas

It's still a month away, so I apologise for invoking the V word already. I've never been that into the whole concept, but that might change if I was presented with these, rather than a cheesy Hallmark card and a bunch of over-priced roses:



Made of soft black suede and decorated with a handmade grosgrain heart in red, these beauties can be pre-ordered now from
Pretty Ballerinas for €169. Not cheap, no, but longer lasting than two dozen red roses...

Golden Globes Red Carpet

Yes, it was a bit frustrating that so many attendees at last weekend's Golden Globes award ceremony chose to wore very neutral or nude-coloured dresses. I do like to see something a bit out of the ordinary on the red carpet (and I'm not even asking for egg-laying swan dresses all of the time, just something slightly unusual). Having said that, however, my two favourite looks at this year's awards were Amanda Seyfried (of Mamma Mia fame, although she'll always be Lily Kane to me) and America Ferrera (aka Ugly Betty).

Amanda Seyfried looked luminous in pale dove grey and I love that she didn't feel the need for a fake tan (actually, the overdone tan/bronzed look was mainly noticeable for its absence, which I was pleased to see).



I also loved her very simple makeup - softly smudged eyeliner and the focus on a strong pink lip. Very pretty and not overdone, perfect for a younger actress.



Again a pale grey/taupe dress - but the shorter length and defined shape really worked on America Ferrera.



I also loved her pretty makeup - strong brows, rosy lip and cleanly-lined eye. It's a classic look for a reason.



Now, roll on the Oscars...

Fashion-tastic TV: Gossip Girl starts on TG4 tonight!

If you happen to be at home by 6pm (I love TG4 and their mad scheduling times - this may be a tv show about teens, but it's not really a 6pm-type show) and haven't already picked up on this shiny wonder, then flick over to TG4 and prepare to be dazzled. Following a group of super-rich teenagers on New York's Upper East Side, Gossip Girl's characters are celebrities in their world, thanks to the unseen title character's blog, regularly updated with salacious details of their goings-on.

I tuned into this originally for the fashion and beauty side of things, but quickly discovered a very entertaining, witty and well-written series. Leighton Meester shines in her role as Blair Waldorf, the queen bee who holds court on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum every morning before school. Blake Lively is Serena, Blair's former best friend, whose return to the city (after disappearing suddenly to boarding school 6 months previously) sets off a flurry of activity on Gossip Girl's blog and among its readers.

Tune in if you get the chance (or look out for the DVDs) and feel free to drop a comment here if you like it, or even if you don't!

UPDATE: Catch up with the show on Monday at 10pm in case the 6pm timeslot is too early!

Giorgio Armani Pink Light Spring 2009

We may not even be a whole day into 2009, but Armani's Spring collection is online and I can almost smell the hyacinths in the air. The Pink Light collection "illuminates the skin with soft touches of pink" and creates "a fresh, luminous glow for any complexion".

Start with the Light Master Primer to create a light-reflective veil, illuminating the features and evening the complexion.

Set foundation with Pink Light Micro-fil™ Loose Powder for a glowing finish.

The Pink Light Eye Palette creates a fresh Spring look for the eyes.



And top it all off with the beautiful rasberry pink limited edition Lip Wax #7.




The collection also includes new shades of ArmaniSilk lipstick and Blending Blush Duo and is available now at Brown Thomas.