Friday 31 January 2014

Star Buy of the week: Bastyan Amazon Prints



Sleek, stylish  label Bastyan, founded by designer Tonia Bastyan in 2009 has has always been one of my top 'go-to' labels. You can always rely on Bastyan to conjure up a titillating trouseau of expertly tailored, flawlessly feminine pieces to update your waning wardrobe every new season- and the SS14 collection is an absolute dream for women of all ages and sizes.

 Lady-like glamour and casual- luxe are firm fixtures in every Bastyan collection- elements which are guaranteed to win me over every time. However, trying to choose this weeks Star Buy was an especially tough task this week, as the entire collection is so beautifully wearable, ultra stylish- and yet sexy, which is no mean feat for any brand to pull off successfully!

So, after changing my mind about three million times, the magnetic lure of three amazing Amazonian print pieces from Bastyan won out the day. These gorgeous pieces which will add a definitively cool, tropical feel to your new warmer season wardrobe- sans the vibe of the vile Hawaiian-print shirt which I still get nightmares about my Dad wearing on family holidays as a teenager!

So flattering and easy to wear- (just pop on with a pair of skinny jeans- try Bastyan's legendary Italian made ones for a fabulous fit, with no dreaded bunching) choose from the classic silk tunic, the softly tailored silk blouse- or the quirky silk shift dress to capture the ethereal beauty and lush colours of the Amazon in your SS14 wardrobe- and channel your inner Jane if you dare!

The Bastyan SS14 collection is available from Brown Thomas stores in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway- and BT2 stores in Dundrum and Blanchardstown. Now all that remains to complete this ensemble is a suitably buff Tarzan- the must-have accessory this season!




Monday 27 January 2014

Good Karma at the Thomas Sabo SS14 collection launch



I've always been a believer in the importance of good karma- and in looking good while exchanging the positive vibes also, of course! The Thomas Sabo SS14 collection launch which I attended last week in the Marker hotel in Dublin's Docklands certainly ticked both of these two boxes in my stylish book, with a stunning array of stylish new designs and updates to existing the Thomas Sabo, Glam and Soul and Rebel at Heart collections. My favourite addition to Thomas Sabo has to be the stylish, yet funky Karma Beads jewellery range to to the Glam and Soul collection which include funky customisable bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings and creole earrings- all guaranteed to inject style and karma into your wardrobe in the warm sunny days ahead. Well thankfully, there's always the backup plan of hopping on a Ryanair flight to one of the Costas if our summer decides to make a non appearance!
The word 'karma' comes from Sanskrit, and means 'action' or 'deed'- which I think is an apt name for the Thomas Sabo Karma Beads range, as the wearer can choose how she wants to express or portray herself by dipping into the treasure chest of beautiful, blinging beads. The combination options are infinite, with 72 beads to choose from- and starting at just e19. The Karma Beads particularly appeal to me, as they are a very personal piece of jewellery, and the choice of beads which you choose to wear- or to buy for a friend all weave a special and unique story that other jewellery ranges physically cannot. Also, from a personal point of view- we all grow and change as we go through life, and the beauty of the Karma Beads- and almost all Thomas Sabo pieces, is their ability to grow and change with the wearer- or even perhaps signify a secret ambition or heartfelt wish for the future!


The beautifully designed Karma Wheel (which symbolises inner balance),along with the 72 intricately designed beads make up the Karma Beads range, and all are crafted from sterling silver, rose gold or yellow gold plating and are are adorned with luxuriously pretty embellishments such as semi-precious stones and cultivated freshwater pearls. Check out the stunning photoshoot of the collection shot by top fashion photographer, Ellen Von Unwerth, and modelled by hot model of the moment, Georgia May Jagger (daughter of the legendary Mick Jagger and supermodel Jerry Hall) for seriously fabulous inspiration on how how to sport the range to its best- www.thomassabo.com

The Karma Beads range and the Thomas Sabo collections are available from dedicated counters in Arnotts, Dublin, Brown Thomas, Cork and House of Fraser, Dundrum- as well as from quality, independent jewellers nationwide.