The Sequin Cinderella: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

All that Glitters

If you have seen any of my previous posts, you will know that I simply adore anything and everything animal print. This outfit was a mixture of several patterns and prints brightened up with a glittery sequin top. A perfect choice for dinner and drinks with friends.

I'm not usually a fan of wearing jeans on a night out but this seasons trend of bright colours and crazy patterns is the perfect solution to bring glamour to a stereotypically casual trend.

This particular evening was one of the first that truly felt like Spring, yet with Ireland being Ireland and the weather being unpredictable, I played it safe with a luxurious faux fur coat from Boohoo.com

Some gold accessories, an oversized handbag from Pauls Boutique and I was ready to rock!

Nicola x

★ FAUX FUR COAT FROM BOOHOO.COM ★

★ JOHN ZACK GOLD SEQUIN TOP ★

★ LEOPARD JEANS AND FEATHER EARRINGS FROM RIVER ISLAND ★

★ PAULS BOUTIQUE HANDBAG ★

★ SHOES FROM TOPSHOP ★

★ GUESS WATCH ★

★ CUFF FROM IDENTITY BOUTIQUE ★

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Marni and Monochrome

After spending a great weekend attending some of the shows at Belfast Fashion Week, I decided to have some much anticipated retail therapy! I was especially excited to get into "Cruise" in Victoria Square Shopping Centre after seeing the stunning outfits on display at the Fashion Tea, as seen Here. I was also on the hunt for the perfect Mothers Day present for my amazing Mum and Cruise was the perfect place to start.

I decided on a monochrome look for my shopping trip consisting of my new patent leather fronted top from the Marni for H&M collection, a skull scarf by Alexander McQueen and probably my most used handbag, the Chanel reporter.

Hope you like!
Nicola x

★ MARNI FOR H&M PATENT LEATHER TOP ★

★ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SKULL SCARF ★

★ CHANEL CAMBON REPORTER HANDBAG ★

★ BOOTS BY CHIARA FERRAGNI ★

★ JUICY COUTURE WATCH ★
★ CHANEL SUNGLASSES ★

★ SPIKED RING AND LEGGINGS FROM TOPSHOP ★

★ STUDDED CUFF BANGLE AND BELT FROM FRESH GARBAGE, BELFAST ★

Photos by Alan-Lee Creswell

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Miss Derry 2012 final

This week I had the pleasure of attending the final of the "Miss Derry 2012" pageant at The Classic Wine Bar and Restaurant in Limavady. The venue was stunning as were each and every one of the final contestants. The judging panel consisted of Jenny Taggart (Stylist, Make-up Artist and Organiser of the event) Orlaith McAllister (Model), Tracey Hall (Owner of Style Academy), Rosemary Wright (Make-up Artist) and Julian Simmons (UTV Presenter) and they had a very hard job indeed deciding between such beautiful girls to pick the Winner of Miss Derry 2012.

During the contest the girls modelled some amazing dresses and swimwear, my favourite's, surprise surprise, being the sparkling vintage wear from Boudoir Boutique, one of the Sponsors of the event.

Just before the judges announced the winner, Lisa McCabe, fashion designer and Owner at N'or Lisa stood up to announce the winner of The Best Dressed Lady in the audience. I was both shocked and delighted when I heard my outfit being described as the winning ensemble. I had chosen to wear a dress from Una Rodden designs, topped off with a leopard print clutch from "Sushi" and an "Hermes" Collier de Chien bangle. I won the most amazing prize - a gorgeous scarf from N'or Lisa and a voucher from Syenna Hair and Beauty for a pamper session which I cannot wait to take advantage of.

Finally the moment of truth arrived, time to announce the Winner.

In third place was the very pretty Aoibhinn Byrne, Second place was the stunning Kayleigh O'Reilly and the winner of Miss Derry 2012 was...

Katie McAuley.

A truly deserving winner of such a fabulous prize and I am sure that she will make a perfect ambassador for both Derry and Northern Ireland.

Nicola x

Myself and Tara Henderson from Tara Henderson International who also won a prize for her outfit!

Myself being presented with Best Dressed Lady Award

Stunning Vintage from Boudoir Boutique

3rd Place winner - Aoibhinn Byrne

Kayleigh wearing Vintage from Boudoir Boutique

2nd Place Winner - Kayleigh O"Reilly

Katie wearing vintage from Boudoir Boutique

Miss Derry 2012 - Katie McAuley

Myself with Julian Simmons from UTV

Myself, Miss Derry - Katie McAuley and Jenny Taggart - Organiser

Myself trying on the amazing Swarovski Crystal Crown sponsored by Boudoir Boutique

★ CORSET AND FAUX FUR DRESS BY UNA RODDEN DESIGNS ★

★ LEOPARD PRINT CLUTCH FROM SUSHI ★

★ RIVER ISLAND LEOPARD STILLETTOS ★

★ HERMES "COLLIER DE CHIEN" BANGLE ★

★ GUESS WATCH ★

Location - The Classic Wine Bar and Restaurant, Limavady http://www.theclassicrestaurant.com/

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Belfast Fashion Week - Fashion Tea

Last Saturday was my second day attending Belfast Fashion Week. It was a beautiful Fashion Tea at The Culloden Estate and Spa. The setting was exquisite and was further enhanced by the amazing spring sunshine which made its first appearance that weekend.

The red carpet led the way to the drawing room of the hotel where we were greeted by West Coast Cooler cocktails and the flashing of cameras from some of Northern Irelands finest photographers.

We were then shown to our tables where we were served a delicious afternoon tea, comprising of amazing aperitifs, scrumptious sandwiches and delightful desserts.

As we enjoyed the beautiful food, we were treated to an exhilarating fashion show by Cruise Fashion.

I fell in love with almost every outfit on display, with figure hugging dresses from Victoria Beckham, evening wear by Roland Mouret, Luxurious handbags from Givency and Alexander McQueen and beautiful footwear from Jimmy Choo and Gucci, to name but a few.

The intimate surroundings of this event allowed the spectators to see each outfit up close and personal and speaking for myself and almost every woman in the room, make a mental shopping list to hit Cruise with in the coming days.

We finished the afternoon with a refreshing walk around the gardens of the beautiful Culloden Estate and enjoyed breathtaking views over the water from the "Romeo and Juliet" style balcony.

Nicola x