January Favourites

After a four month hiatus, Spirals-of-Styles is finally getting the long awaited attention it deserves. As something I created, it's like my child you could say, and I've been neglecting the poor thing for far too long. I feel a responsibility to keep it alive and going, regardless of me, myself, and I being the only soul who reads it (being realistic here). The reason for my neglect is since starting university in September, I've sort of forgotten about my little blog. My first few months at uni have been..challenging. Between packing up my life and moving to another country on my own, leaving my family and friends behind, entering into third level education, learning to fend for myself in a place where I knew no one, and trying to build relationships from scratch, my brain hasn't had the capacity to contribute any energy to my blog.  There have been some good moments, and certainly some bad ones, but Im still only getting used to my new life in this transition period. So with an aim to keep a positive mindset that things will start looking up in the next few months, I'm also determined to retain and expand on my creativity and post more regularly to the blog. So without further ado, I thought a simple 'January Favourites' would ease me back into the blogging world nicely. Enjoy!

Leather Biker Jacket-Zara

Sleeveless Pink Faux-Fur Gilet-Bershka

90's Style Chokers-Velvet Burgundy with Pearl-New Look/Black with Turquoise Beads-Miss Selfridge

Black Suede and Neoprene Contrast Knee-high Boots-River Island

Gold Midi Rings-Miss Selfridge

MAC Satin Lipstick-Blush

Ciara x

The Best Coats of A/W 2014

The coat. One simple piece that can instantly energize a paired-back outfit without much thought or effort, while simultaneously shielding you from the harsh winter days of wind, ice and snow. For the A/W 2014 collections however, desingers didn't shy away from elevating this definition to the next level. Stand out elements included luxurious textures of sherling, fur and leather at DKNY, along with ecletic bold and pastel colours alike, and new-age sillohuets including capes from Christopher Bailey at Burberry BCBG Maz Azria , unstructured slouch shapes at Narciso Rodriguez, and delux parkas and bomber styles on offer from Alexander Wang and Hache. While it's all well and good these creative geniuses and many more alike dream up these designs, it's up to the humble high street to interpret them in such a way that us mere mortals with average incomes can actually have a piece of these trends hanging in our own personal clothing shrine (a.k.a the wardrobe). Here are some high street dupes of glorious designer coats at just a fraction of the price!

Fur

DKNY

ASOS

Pastels

Rebecca Taylor

New Look

Shearling

Sacai

Topshop

Duster Coats

Narciso Rodriguez

Capes

Burberry Prorsum

Topshop

Ciara x

My current wish list

It's never ending really is it? The desire to buy, collect and sometimes hoard clothes, accessories and shoes of all sorts that just make your bank account want to shed a tear, is a permanent dilemma in my life. It could be worse, but still! And despite the fact that my wardrobe is bursting at the seams and I have to wrestle with my hangers daily in order to organise it, here are my current favourites I'm lusting after.

Zara pink leather jacket (similar here)

Zara Yellow coat blazer

Zara oversized denim jacket

Asos Dialogue plimsoles

Asos leather cut-out playsuit

Asos Crop t-shirt

Asos grey duster coat

Asos bleached ripped boyfriend jeans

Seafolly clutch

The best is yet to come

 The only way I can really start this is off is by saying...IM BAAAAAACCCCKK! With my Leaving Cert FINALLY finished, I can go back to spending my days reading unrealistic romance novels, staying out until the sun comes up, and giving time to my little blog right here.
Unfortunately my fab camera woman has hopped off to America to live it up out there for the summer, ( Jenny if your reading this, I'm simultaneously hoping your having a ball while sending you evils for not being here ha!) so this outfit is from way back on a chilly day in March. It's not exactly summer attire, but what's a girl to do?!

   Kimono-Asos

Top-Primark

Disco pants-River Island

Boots-Topshop

Bracelet-Gift

Necklace-Forever 21

If I'm being honest I'm still wearing the kimono and boots now in June despite the autumnal colour palette, because we all know how unreliable Irish summers are. I decided to treat myself after my exams finished and have built up quite a collection of gorgeous pieces over the last few weeks that I'm dying to show you. Think maxis, stripes, delicate jewellery and more.

 Now I just need to get my act together and find a replacement photographer! Fingers crossed I'll have flatmates who will be kind enough to give me a hand next year at university!

Ciara x

Transitioning

Cardigan-Primark

Galaxy Print t-shirt-H&M

Leather Joggers-Forever 21

Aubrey 3 Oxblood Cut-out Boots-Topshop

Spiked Beanie-Primark

Necklace-Topshop

This laid-back outfit based around my new leather joggers from Forever 21 was inspired my Youtuber   Sunbeamsjess's recent 'Week in outfits' video. I'm a tad obsessed by her style, she's just always fearless with her styling and I really like that. If you haven't watched her videos before I'll put a link to her channel at the end, and go and subscribe to her, you won't be disappointed trust me.

I found the leather joggers to be on the tricker side to style, but who doesn't love a challenge?! I think the beanie and boots really tie it all together in an 'I just threw this on' kinda way, but you could also dress them up with heels and a cami top for an alternative look on a night out.  Last week I gave in and bought the BEAUTIFUL Aubrey 3 cut-out boots from Topshop after looking at them online for months. I got 30% off them with their seasonal offers on at the mo' and the 10% student discount AND free shipping during fashion week, so I was pretty pleased with myself. They are really chunky and great for trekking around the place in, you can definitely tell they were on the pricier side. They give a good height boost to vertically challenged people like myself, but the block heel is still comfortable to wear all day. The only downside to them is the leather is quite stiff and is hurting my foot at the place where the shoe bends when I walk. Fingers crossed it'll loosen out over time once I break them in!

I was having trouble uploading this to Lookbook for some reason, so I'm going to keep trying and I'm hoping it'll make it up there at some point!

Sunbeamsjess Youtube Channel

Ciara x

Did someone say 'Sale!'?

It's that time of year again. Christmas day has officially come and gone, and crowds of determined shoppers are shoving past each other to get to the last top in a size 8 at 70% off. Don't get me wrong I love the dedication and focus, but it can get a bit out of hand with queues of people waiting outside of Next at 5am. They obviously haven't copped on to the effortless strategy of online sales shopping. While relaxing by the fire with a cup of tea, I've been searching for (and buying) some drool-worthy pieces from the online sales. Here are my top picks from the sales at River Island and Asos, two of my all time favourites. Enjoy! First up is Asos, and I have to admit they never disappoint in their sale which started the week before Christmas(just to see if they could torture me any more!).

I've had my eye on these velvet check trousers for a while now, and could you blame me?! They're ticking two trends at once, check and velvet, as well as being completely winter-y. They're still a bit pricy in my opinion at €61.65 down to €43.15, but still beautiful, none the less.

Now there's not much to say on this piece other than it is one amazing trophy sweat. As we all know trophy sweats with graphic prints, slogans, and clashing textures were huge in 2013, and this is the perfect mix of effortless and cool with 50% off at €41.10 down to €20.55.

Here's another great oversized sweat with a graphic checkerboard print and unusual coated finish. I've actually ordered this for myself so I will be featuring it in upcoming outfit posts! It's priced at €30.82 on sale from €61.65.

I love how simple the monochrome pallet of this dress is, in contrast to the unique geo embroidery and leather trimmings. A great all rounder from the petite range, perfect for people like me! On sale for €53.43.

Last but not least from Asos is this gem of a coat complete with biker cut, faux fur collar, and black and navy sleeves. You'll never have to worry about wearing 'blavy' again! Available for half price at €54.80 Now onto River Island who also started their sale online a week before Christmas, with the in-store sale starting on St. Stephan's Day/Boxing Day/26th of December, depending what country you're from!

These are a great pair of shorts for going out for dinner with friends or going clubbing, and can be worn with bare legs or tights, depending on the weather/occasion. A matching shirt is also available which I LOVE, if you're into the co-ord trend, but unfortunately it's not on sale. But the shorts are a steal at €18.

Another huge trend this autumn/winter was pale pastel pinks in a range of candy floss hues. The colour palette was taken straight from the runway and seen on everything from coats to dresses and jumpers like this one, now priced at €30.

And now an adorable wool bowler hat to top it all off. I like that this one is grey and not black, yet it still goes with everything. I think these are the cutest hats and complete any outfit, down to €9 from €25. Happy shopping! Ciara x

Easy does it

I've been up the walls with study recently so I haven't had the chance to blog unfortunately. After a day of learning equations and french phrases(boring!)I decided to post a new look. This is just a really simple, hop out of bed and go outfit that's still fashionable and comfortable. They're the best kind really aren't they!? I think it's safe to say that I'm in love with my cut out boots from New Look. I think they look much more expensive with the added detail of the gold panelling. You'll probable be sick of them soon enough because I'll be wearing them with a lot of upcoming looks! I'm also getting really pumped because I'm going to Paris for a few days next week! YAY! Hopefully I'll get a chance to post some pictures of me looking overly excited! Ciara x