January 22, 2016

Daring Double Denim Launches West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK

January 22, 2016/ Claire Spence

Yesterday the well-heeled of Belfast & beyond gathered for the launch of the schedule of Belfast Fashion Week, March 10th - 13th 2016.

We will see the return of nightly catwalk shows featuring collections from both the high street as well as from independently owned boutiques plus local designers’ work and the popular Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday events to round off the long weekend of fashion.

THURSDAY 10 March, ALL DAY ‘Cutting It’ Workshops & Seminars. An all-day event geared towards those seeking careers advice or inspiration/information on careers in the fashion, film & costume industry locally. For more information, contact BFW on 02890421509

THURSDAY 10 March, 8.00PM - DESIGNER BOUTIQUES AND LOCALDESIGNERS. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via www.belfastfashionweek.com

FRIDAY 11 March, 8.00PM - HIGH STREET. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com

SATURDAY 12 March, 2.00-4.00pm - SUSHI SATURDAY “The Director’s Cut” at ZEN. To book, call 02890421509price £30pp.

SATURDAY 12 March, 8.00pm –FASHION AWARDS. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER, 2.00-5.00pm - STYLE SUNDAY in support of Action Cancer at Deane’s at Queen’s. To book call 02890381555

Fashion Week director, Cathy Martin (in the above video in gold sequins) usually enforces a 'no jeans rule' on fashion week catwalks, but she's bending her own rules this year for the 'daring in denim' trend. It's easy to do: wear as much denim as possible in one go! I loved the outfits for this look. Denim pinafores, huge flared trousers, and a sequin badge adorned jacket from Diamond Dolls in Banbridge.

Check out the sequins jeans on the model on the left, in mermaid colours of blue & green.

Former Miss NI absolutely rocking local designer Nor Lisa striped dress

The second highlighted trnd was pretty, girly ruffles. Lots of wedding guest wear, but I love the cheeky edge of the Topshop silk bomber jacket on the model far left.

The final look on the models combined acid brights and sequins, both going to be huge this spring. I love brights, especially wearing neon orange. See you at Fashion Week!

October 02, 2015

Two Days Left to Take Advantage of the Clarins #Feed10 Gift at Menary's

October 02, 2015/ Claire Spence

There's only today and tomorrow left to get to your local Menary's store, visit their Clarins concession and pick up their free Feed 10 gift bag.

Buy two Clarins products, one being Skincare, and they'll gift you everything shown in the picture above. Great sized samples to try out and find a new favourite. You're also doing a good deed as for every #Feed10 gifts given out, Clarins will feed ten vulnerable children worldwide.

Heres a quick look at each of the free products.

Moisture Rich Body Lotion. Very smooth and easily absorbed, this is pretty much a full size product.

Hydra-Quench Mask. Creamy, gentle and a pleasant scent.

Exfoliating Gentle Refiner. I really like the texture. The microbeads make you feel like you're really giving your skin a total freshening up.

Relax Bath & Shower Concentrate. I'm not a bath person, but I'm going to let my son keep this for his bath times.

Hand and Nail Cream. Another product I don't use personally, but my Mum loves a good hand moisturiser, so I'll pass this along to her.

The lovely Jennifer at Bangor Menary's also gave me the current Clinique Bonus offer when we visited last Saturday. Unfortunately that was the last day of that current offer, but they usually always have some sort of offer running, to try your local Menary's to see what offer followed up this one.

The reason I'm still featuring it is because I was really impressed with the Clinique Long Last Lipstick in the shade Blushing Nude.

My usual nude lipstick is Naked Beige by Soap & Glory, but this is a very close match and the texture is a real jump up in quality. It's very creamy & feels great on. I think I'll swap over to this for my day to day lip, and buy it again when the sample runs out.

So visit your local Menary's for the Feed 10 Clarins offer until 4th October, and check out the other beauty concessions for their individual current offers. I would post about Bangor's Fashion Night Out next Thursday, but their PR lady says it's practically sold out already. If you see me and Smix at it, say hi!

September 08, 2015

Lidl Autumn/Winter Fashion Event- In Stores Starting This Thursday

September 08, 2015/ Claire Spence

Lidl launched their first fashion collection last spring, and it was a great success for them. Classic macs, coloured jeggings and smart striped tops all sold out quickly. I really liked their choice of pieces for that season, so I was excited to attend their autumn/winter fashion launch this morning.

The showcase was held in Belfast's Sixty6 cocktail lounge, at the peak of four or five flights of stairs. I think everyone needed a sit down by the time they got up there! But the trek was worth it, to get a sneaky peek at what will be in our local stores in the coming weeks, starting with these items this Thursday.

The rest of the collection will be released over the coming weeks until November, so if there is a specific item you've set your heart on, you might have to make weekly Lidl trips to catch it.

This is the £14.99 leather look jacket I had seen on other blogs from the south and fancied. It's also available in tan which would be my choice.

And you know I love my leopard. There are tops, fine knit sweater and jeans in leopard print for this winter.

YI love this tshirt. I'm addicted to stripes so I simply HAVE to get this when it hits my local Bangor store.

One of my other favourite pieces was the dogtooth wrap. There are wraps coming instore in various colours and designs, and the wool is great quality, it doesn't feel like it would ball up. They'll be £22.99

I love the women's collection but I find the kids wear a bit hit and miss. The quality is fine and the prices are great, but they just don't appeal to my style. This hooded top obviously did though- but I want one in my size!

The men's wear is great too, and complimentary to the women's looks.

So here are some of the items that should be instore from this Thursday. The leather look jackets I mentioned and the tan stretch trousers are on my list.

August 21, 2015

I Took My Mini-Fashionista to the West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK Launch Event

August 21, 2015/ Claire Spence

Thursday was a glam day for us. As school is still off, Michael came in tow with me to the launch of the West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK. Held in a very cool little venue in Belfast City centre, the launch was jam packed with glamorous, groomed fashionistas; and that was just the men!

Little Michael has accompanied me to events like this before, and I assumed he would be the only child there, or at least the youngest, but another lady had her little baby with her in its stylish pram.

Michael was very excited by the fact there was a frozen yoghurt stand where he got yoghurt and fresh strawberries; he loves a good freebie, just like his mum!

The launch event ran through the time table of FASHIONWEEK, which begins on the 15th October, and you can get all the info about shows and events on the Belfast Fashion Week website.

We got to see some of the key looks that will be showcased at this, the 20th year of our capital hosting a fashion week. I loved the acid brights, but I am also partial to a good tweed. Suede was another of the themes for this coming autumn and winter. Looking forward to October to catch some shows & be inspired to revamp my wardrobe.