Raised in Pink Leather

Tee Shirt: Primark Mens Section

Pink Leather Skirt: H&M

Boots: Primark

I bought this skirt from H&M to go with a cropped denim shirt for a night out. It has been lonely and waiting in my wardrobe ever since. Pieces like this which are part of my "evening wardrobe" tend to get a lot less attention than my more casual clothes. So in order to get more use out of it, I decided to team it with "everyday" clothes to tone it down, making it wearable and transforming it into a casual skirt.

If your a fan of over sized tee shirts, I recommend having a look in the Primark men's section. This simple black and white one is so easy to wear. I love how simple it is with block black and white colours and the loose, baggy look compliments the body con shape of the skirt. It says "Mama Raised No Fool" by the way, hence the title. That's a true story too you know. I am "no fool".

One of the big trends for Autumn/Winter 13 is "grunge" which is feminine pieces like dresses and skirts teamed with relaxed clothes like boots and layers. This is my summer interpretation of the upcoming trend.

What do you think of my newly casual leather skirt?

♥

Fairies in a Jar

Irregular Choice, Fairies in a Jar

Do I need to say any more? These little beauties are my new addition to my Irregular Choice collection. I'll give you a second to scroll up and look at them again. Shoes like this you don't look at just once!

Irregular Choice is my absolute favourite brand for shoes at the minute. I bought my first pair after getting an Irregular Choice bag as a Christmas gift and deciding I needed the matching shoes too! From that day, there was no going back. I mean that literally. My shoe standards were raised on that day, and they haven't come down yet! I have simply been unable to find any other shoes on the high street that compare.

There are so many reasons why these shoes are so special, but first and foremost what I must praise, what I'm most thankful for, and what heels have been in desperate need of for a long time, is the delicious comfort! I will not lie. This year has been my first year at university and I've been on a lot of nights out. It is definitely risky going on a night out in Liverpool where clubs are open until four a.m., in a pair of heels when you have a two hour practical dance class the next morning. But I did it. Thanks to Irregular Choice my feet were perfectly comfortable and fine in dance the next day! Yes!

These are "Fairies in a Jar", and are my fifth pair of Irregular Choice. Each pair comes with a really cute shoe box which I like to keep as part of the collection. Irregular Choice shoes are always so dainty and quirky with bright colours and unique designs. They are perfect for catching the eye if you want to add something special to a simple outfit. Although they can be a little on the pricey side at times, I definitely would say they are worth investing in. The quality is just fantastic so you know they will last and you can guarantee there will be no one else wearing heels quite as special as yours! When I wear mine I always get so many comments and compliments.

 "Fairies in a Jar" are available in other colours too, you can find them here IN THE SALE if you want to snap up a pair for yourself and I really recommend you do, you will thank me!

What's your favourite brand for shoes?

♥

I Heart Summer Tag

Thank you so much to the lovely Louisa from LouisaDays for tagging me to do the I Heart Summer Tag. Here it is Louisa!

1. Favourite bronzer for summer?

Mac Mineralised Skin Finish in Medium Dark. 

2. You're relaxing on a hammock on a tropical island, what would you be sipping on?

An ice cold slushie! Or a nice cocktail.

3. Favourite summer lipstick?

Tough one. I love lipstick! I don't now if I would say it's my favourite, but the Revlon Lip Butter in Tooti Frutti is a lovely summery coral shade and it's not too heavy!

4. Pool or beach? 

Another tough one. I love both. I can't pick! It will have to be both.

5. Summer = crazy hair, what's your must have styling product?

I really don't like blow drying my hair or styling it without a heat defence spray. At the minute I've been using a Tresemmé one. But the Aussie one is good too. 

6. Sun bathing or fake tanning?

Tan wise, I'd fake it! I only ever wear tan for a night out, (or maybe if I've got my legs out and they look a bit pale). But I do love to sunbathe just to sit in the sun and maybe read a book or flick through a magazine. So both I suppose.

7. Favourite summer nail polish?

I really like one of the new Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Papaya. It's a pretty peachy coral.

 

8. Any summer traditions? 

Nope! But I have been really enjoying spending some days at the beach this year. Maybe I should make that a tradition to try and go to the beach every summer!

9. Favourite summer scent?

Marc Jacobs Oh Lola is really fresh and floral. Perfect for summer.

10. Favourite BBQ food?

Probably Sausages! Haha! Yum.

 

11. Favourite summer proof make-up?

The Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation because it is light, with good coverage and has spf 15 so you get protection too!

12. Any summer vacations planned?

No, I wish! Although I am going to Leeds for a few days in August to stay with a friend from Uni. I've never been before, and I hear the shops are amazing there so I can't wait! I'll definitely be going shopping. I'm really excited for a reunion with my Uni buddies and a good night out because it's been too long! 

I tag Jennifer from Silly Little Pictures! Good luck Jennifer, some of these I had to really think about.

Thanks for stopping by!

♥

Niamh vs Shops

Topshop £28

 Blue Vanilla at New Look £10 in Sale

Moto at Topshop £28

 Deena and Ozzy at Urban Outfitters £38

Well that felt good! This summer, I've been a bit on the broke side. So believe it or not, I really have been cutting back on shopping. It was hard and I don't like it. But now I've rewarded my self with a little splurge. (I also got a little addition to my Irregular Choice shoe collection which I'm so excited to show you in a separate post soon. Ekk!) I think this could be a sign of an addiction but after a while of holding back in the shops, when I left today with all my pretty new things in my hands I felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. At the minute I'm reading "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and I have to say, I can completely relate. Becky Bloomwood, I think we could be friends.

In Boots I got myself a few bits that I've heard great things about from blogs, so decided to pick them up and try them out. I can't wait to try out a smokey eye with my new Real Technique Starter Eye Kit! Let me know if anyone has tried any of the products and how you found them!

After a friend recently got a job in The Body Shop, I've been doing nothing but fantasizing about what I can get with the 50% discount! This has lead to a new obsession and I'm slowly creating a little collection. Today I added to my Aloe collection with the Protective Serum. There is 50% off the body butters at the minute also so I thought I would stock up while there cheap with the Pink Grapefruit one. A girls gotta moisturize!

I was really happy with my New Look dress I found for just £10. I absolutely love a collar especially on dresses, it adds a little prepy touch to a basic dress. The picture doesn't pick up on it very well but it is actually a drop helm dress which I have been looking for lately. I thought they were a cute alternative to the skater dress and for £10 in the sale, it was calling my name.

I have been looking for a black bag recently too because although I love my vintage one, sometimes I need a bag that is slightly bigger. Also when a brown bag dosen't seem right with an outfit I can pick up my black Deena and Ozzy one! I was drawn to this bag because of the pretty satchel style strap and shape, but it looked a little different, almost like a vintage look. You know I love my vintage.

Whoever named shopping "Retail Therapy" was completely right. It is a therapy like no other. If someone would like to pay me so I can do it all the time, that would be great, thanks.

Have you done any shopping lately?

♥

Representing THNK Apparel

Sun Glasses: Very old, not sure where there from

Crop Top: THNK Apparel

Midi Skirt: Topshop

Bag: Vintage

Over the weekend I took a very unexpected break from blogging. On Thursday night, just as I was getting out of the shower and minding my own business I found my two friends from Manchester who I met at Uni standing outside my house after flying over to surprise me for the weekend! I was so shocked I don't think it sunk in. I was standing there in my unicorn pajamas and my wet hair wrapped up in a towel as they started telling me all the things they had planned for the weekend. It was such a nice surprise and so good to see them!

Now that they have gone back to Manchester, I'm getting back to business with another outfit post. This was what I wore when wondering around the shops recently.

Today I'd like to introduce you to a new brand based in Northern Ireland. THNK Apparel pieces are an easy way to create a relaxed and stylish look with the cool over sized tee shirts and slick, crisp designs. THNK Apparel is an independent street style clothing line launched at the beginning of summer 2013. The uni-sex brand has been spotted on Britain's Got Talent contestant Jordan O'Keefe and has been proven increasingly popular throughout Northern Ireland. Part one of the summer collection is available now online and includes my Baseball Crop that I have been loving wearing with my Topshop Midi skirt. I am lucky enough to know the face behind the brand and get to see the "behind the scenes" step by step process of creating the brand! I can also reveal that the new summer collection part two will be out very soon so be sure to check out the website so you don't miss out! They are also available to follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram where you can see a few sneak peaks of the new collection!

Let me know what you think of THNK Apparel ! Do you like independent Brands?

♥ 

(P.S. Yesterday was My Petite Closet's one month aniversay and on Friday night it reached one thousand views! Yayyy!)

A Day In Dungarees

 Headband: New Look

T-Shirt: Topshop

Chain Necklace: Topshop

Dungarees: Topshop

I don't know if you read my last post or not, but this is my second of today. Aren't you spoiled? Blogging has really been keeping me sane during the summer holidays and I've been spending a lot more time on it than I ever intended to when I started. But I have to admit, I've been hooked! As I've never been much of a "social networker", (if that is a word) I suppose this is my way of releasing all those Facebook status's I never wrote! But I find this to be so much more creative and therapeutic. In my last post, (which you can read here) I wrote about my thoughts on Nivea's new In-Shower Body Moisturiser. This may have seemed a bit random as My Petite Closet has so far been based purely around clothes and fashion. But to make it slightly more personal, I decided to add the odd post here and there on other things I might be enjoying or have thoughts on at the time. Also I don't know if you have noticed but I like to sneak in little updates on what I've been up to into my posts. Anyway, now that you know what your in for, we can get back to the outfit. (If you have made it this far, well done for making it through my small rant!)

This outfit may seem a bit of a Topshop overload, but as I said before, I want to keep my blog personal and show you exactly what I'm wearing daily, even if it is all from the one shop!

To me this is the type of look which looks laid back and as if it was casually thrown together but ends up working! Does that make sense? It is the sort of style that would be popular with the likes of Rita Ora. An over sized Tee with shorts and a gold necklace, the sort of "happy accident" look that looks like you were just aiming for comfort. 

Now, because this post has turned out to be quite long, and as I have already given you one post today I am going to leave it at that! Niamh over and out!

♥

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser

Available here for £2.37

When I first heard about Nivea's In-Shower Body Moisturiser I thought it was just a moisturising shower cream. I decided to write this post as I find it to be quite an unusual concept and as it is relatively "new", I thought that a lot of people probably haven't tried it yet so it might be interesting to hear my thoughts. I hope that little intro has lured you in? Yes? Ok. Let's get started.

Firstly, I thought I would clear up how it is actually used. Unlike what I first assumed, this is not for washing with. This is to be used after you have cleansed and rinsed. You massage the moisturiser over your body and rinse off.

After drying off, I noticed my skin was a lot more soft and silky than before, similar to how it feels after using a body butter after washing. Almost like you skipped a step. This product would be very useful if you don't have time to wait on your moisturiser sinking in before getting dressed as you get it all done and out of the way in the shower! Or, alternatively, use this body moisturiser as well as your after shower moisturiser for extra nourished and conditioned skin!

Although I wouldn't say the body moisturiser is vital, it is definitely effective in achieving soft, conditioned skin. For a small price it is probably worth picking up every now and then for a little skin treat! Also, I predict other brands bringing out their shower moisturisers soon. Watch this space. Well done Nivea, thanks for my soft skin!

Let me know if you have tried the Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser and what you thought!

♥

To The Max

Floral Crown: Primark

Chain Necklace: Topshop

White Razor Back Top: New Look

Maxi Skirt: New Look

Converse: Schuh

First of all, apologies for all the squinting in the pictures. I don't always look so unimpressed, just when the sun is in my eyes! I thought I'd share with you another quick outfit, and today I'm embracing the maxi skirt! These can be a little scary for me as it took me some time to find one that didn't make me look drown in material and more stumpy than usual. I've always loved the look, and so I continued my struggle until I found this one from New Look. It has an elastic waist which means it fits nicely and I can wear it slightly high waisted making it a tad shorter and avoiding it trailing on the ground! It is a light chiffon material so it is breezy and cool to wear in summer. 

My floral crown adds to the peachy colours in the skirt and my Topshop chain necklace with my converse tone down the femininity of the overall look.

Does anyone else find shopping for maxi's difficult, or is it just me? Remember to comment and follow!

♥

Summer Outfit Of The Day

Hairband: Topshop

Playsuit: Available here

Belt: Primark

Converse: Schuh

So luckily the sun has continued for a little longer. This means, yesterday was spent in the garden sunbathing and slurping on blue slush puppies (yum). These pictures were taken just before the slushies when my mouth and tongue both turned a bright blue, nice.

Usually I am a big fan of accessories, with matching earrings, rings, necklaces, hairband, belt and shoes to go with what I'm wearing. But in the sun I prefer to wear something that will keep me cool and comfortable. Playsuits are great for this! I got this one at a market in Liverpool and I love the peter pan collar and lace detailing on it. I wore my Topshop hairband because a summer OOTD wouldn't be complete without a floral headband, (I am slowly developing a little collection of them). To add a bit more colour, I added this coral belt from Primark and for comfort, I opted for my white converse again. I decided to go for a coral colour on my lips too and wore the Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti.

Now that I've got another outfit post out of the way, I'm going back to the garden to soak up the remainder of the sun. I've heard that today is supposed to be our last day of warm weather. Boo!

Don't forget to comment and let me know what your wearing this Summer!

♥

50's Fun Fair

Hair Bow: Primark

Dress: House of Fraser

Bag: Vintage

Converse: Schuh

At the minute Ireland is experiencing that very rare occasion in Summer where the sun actually comes out! When this happens, we all know that our days of sun will be limited, and so I like to make the most of the sun while it is still here. Yesterday, I went off on a spontaneous trip to the amusements because of the sudden arrival of hot weather! (Although the weather does look very dull in the second picture).

I wore this little 50's style dress that I picked up from House of Fraser last summer. It is navy with tiny white polka dots, a pleated skater skirt and a cute tie at the back that I have tied into a bow. The crossover lapels at the front with the white lining gives it a vintage feel and I love wearing it with my hair up in a bun like this. 

My hair bow has white beads all over and is an easy way to add a little something extra to everyday hair styles! I also thought it went with my dress nicely.

I found my vintage bag from a vintage fair in Derry at Easter and it has quickly become my favourite bag! It is very sturdy and in such good condition. I've been wearing it with almost everything since Easter and it is the perfect size for everyday essentials that I always carry with me, i.e. phone, purse, keys, make-up etc. After a bit of research on the brand, I found out that it is from Marks & Spencers around the 1930's!

For a modern touch to the outfit, (and for comfort purposes), I wore my white converse.

There's nothing like waking up to a lovely sunny day, especially in Ireland. When I do, I always know I'm going to be treated to a nice day out with my boyfriend with ice-cream and candy floss (my favourite, yum) galore!

Have you had any trips out in the sun this Summer?

♥

Ebay Wish List

 Black Cat Eye Sunglasses: £8.99

 High Wasted Levi Shorts: £21.99

Vintage Style Ring: £2.99

Nouvelle Vogue Crop Top: £12.50

At the minute my bank balance is not a pretty sight! This means that I have restrained myself of retail therapy and taken to window shopping and Ebay browsing. When it comes to that time, where I need to control myself around the shops and hold back until I have savings built up to treat myself with, I tend to create lists in my head of things I have seen for when (or if) that day does come! This is a wish list of a few things I have found on Ebay recently that maybe one day I might be able to afford.

I seen a similar pair of these 50's, Cat Eye style sunglasses in Primark that are cheaper than these ones, but I wanted a pair that have UV Protection, so I don't mind paying a little extra for these. You can find them here.

Vintage Levi shorts have been on my wish list for a long time and Ebay have a really good selection of different pairs. I really liked these light wash high wasted ones that I came across a few weeks ago. You can find them here.

This little dictionary ring is so cute and affordable! You also can choose which text you want on it. I liked the "dreamer" one, which you can find here.

This "Nouvelle Vogue" crop top was so simple yet so chic I just fell in love with it! You can find it here.

These things altogether would be actually quite a cute little summer outfit! Maybe one day I can wear it. Sigh...

What is on your Ebay Wish List?

♥