Demise of the It-bag, Return of the Cute-bag

The trends of 2008 brought out the wag in all of us, but the popularity of so called It-bags, which got bigger and more brash with every passing week, was a trend I could never understand. Just seeing suitcase-sized sacks hanging in Topshop's accessories corner made me retreat with fear. I mean, I actually could have fitted in most of them. But Autumn/Winter 2009 is a whole different bag of goodies... literally! Sequins and structure are not just a key element in the clothes seen on the catwalk, but the handbags also reflect the old style glitz and glamour that is going to be everywhere. That means the return of the clutch- Hell Yes! I can't resist showing you some of my designer faves, you know, in case you decide to spend £1,500 on a whim, but there's plenty on the high street too...

Gucci, Gucci, Gucci... what more can I say?

I'm just going to pretend that I can at least afford Ted Baker

This one's from Reiss. Again, because I only shop on the King's Road... duh.

Motel, rocks!

Heard of Motel clothing yet? You soon will. I've been seeing it around lately in a few independent stores and can't believe just how on the mark it is for this season's trends. It originated in Bristol but is based on the style of the West Coast of America (think thrift stores and days of rummaging), so it's a little bit retro and a little bit punk. Perfect! The prices aren't extortionate either, though it's cheaper to buy on their online store ( www.motelrocks.com ) than when it's stocked in the boutiques where I have seen it. I'm loving the patterned dresses and leggings- I'll post a few pics of some of my favourites...

Travel with Louis, c1900

It feels like only yesterday that I was unpacking what felt like all of my life's possessions after returning to Ireland, but three short months later, here I am again, filling my life (and my bedroom) with boxes and suitcases and bubble wrap. I have managed to get my hands on a cool, dark pink holdall to fly back to London, but the prospect of maneuvering it onto the tubes and lugging it around the streets of London is pretty grim. I'm made for a different era- that is, one with servants, or a chivalrous man, to carry around my Louis Vuitton trunk. Of course, I'm assuming that I would be the lucky, and more importantly rich, daughter of a Lord, which seems unlikely. Anyway, I wistfully researched vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, and it is stunning- some of it has been restored to excellent condition. But so impractical! I'm a modern gal, and all to aware of the weight restrictions on Ryanair flights- I'm sure the trunks alone weigh 15kg, never mind what has to be put inside them! Oh well, most of them are around the cool $30,000 mark to buy anyway, so I'll have to keep dreaming.

Belle of the Ball

So Camilla Belle broke up with Joe Jonas. Whilst it brings relief in the hearts of tweens everywhere, it sort of makes me sad. Not because I was a huge fan of the match, but rather because whilst she went out with the Hot One from the JoeBros, Camilla got way more camera time, allowing me to swoon not over her boyf, but her gorge clothes. What else? Yep, this gal has some strong style credentials. Of course, the fact that she's thin and beautiful helps, but I've always thought there's something intelligent in the way she dresses. Another definite style crush. Check out the photos to see why. Oh, and the eyebrows. The eyebrows!

She Returns.

Wow! It's been a while, on account of me finding a temporary job to exclusively fund my shopping binges (it's either food or clothes for me, and the choice is surprisingly easy), but I'm so over manual labour right now, so it's back to blogging myself happy! Keep tuned for more fashion filled rants, coming soon!! xx

FLORAL Me Happy!

Summer is here people!! I've been all about the barbecues and road trips for a couple of weeks now, and have finally come to the conclusion that style wise, the most practical outfits are those that transfer easily from day wear into night, just in case that afternoon drink at the pub accidentally runs into the sunkissed evening. It's times like this that I miss London, a city made for heady summer nights.Still, Ireland can fairly rock this season too, and right now, it's floral time! Appropriate for during the day, but punky and fash enough to make you look pulled-together chic standing at the bar. Unsurprisingly, Topshop have monopolised the trend, and I have to hand it to them, the name 'New Florals' totally reflects their take on a style that used to be seen as ditsy and sickly sweet. They've either gone for darker colours to set the floral pattern in, or added skulls that really pack a punch and stand out. Take a look at some of my faves!

I Covet Chloë

I have a definite style crush on this girl! And I got butterflies when I saw this outfit that she wore to the Nightlife Preservation Community Launch, hosted by her good self. The slogan on her tee refers to her brother's Beatrice Inn, a restaurant that was padlocked in April this year due to apparent building violations- though rumours suggest it was rather for underage drinking and/or drug use. Whatever, I'm just interested for the tee. And that grey cardigan! So laid-back chic it's making me dizzy! Funnily enough, I recently bought a long cardigan in the Gap sale:

This photo doesn't really do it justice, but I'm wearing it today with a bright red/orange tank in a bid to recreate some of Chloë's cool. I know, keep dreaming Annabelle.

Totally converted.

Ok, so these shoes have been available in America for years, but I finally spotted a pair in Office after lusting after them but having to resist paying double the price by importing them from the US. Converse Ox Lite, in my humble opinion, completely trump Keds, Fred Perrys and Vans. I needed a new pair of sneakers after London wreaked havoc on my gorge slip on Keds, so much so that I actually took decisive action and threw them out. These are the perfect replacements! I've always thought that Converse soles were way too thick to wear without jeans over them, but the thin soles on these babys suit me down to the ground. I'm going to pound the city streets in these bad boys, pairing them with my awesome Topshop jeggings- perfect for this strangely hot summer that Ireland has got going on- loving it!

Live the Charity Shop Dream!

I've just moved back to Ireland from London for the summer and am faced with unpacking two huge boxes and one hefty suitcase full of, what else, CLOTHES!! I now understand why my mother tells me time and time again that I have too many, but the truth is I only buy what I love, so it seems worth it at the time! One problem: I can't bring myself to throw out anything that is of any sentimental value, and so have clothes in my wardrobe that I have long outgrown. But a crazy idea has struck me- second hand is the new sexy just like green is the new black! I can give my too-small clothes to charity shops with the reassurance (well, the hope at least), that they can be loved again. And more wardrobe space for all my clothes that actually fit me! Yay! Naturally instead of continuing to unpack I rushed to my laptop and googled charity shops pronto. Could be counter-productive though, because I've discovered some real hidden gems that I may have to frequent when I get back to London, clogging up my wardrobe once again! My tip is to go to high end areas and look for charity shops around there, like British Red Cross in Chelsea, London- that's where all the old Chanel handbags are hidden girls! This one's my fave though: http://www.oxfamireland.org/oxfamvintage/, it's called Oxfam Vintage, and is based in Belfast and Dublin. Oxfam is an awesome Irish charity, probably the most well known on our little island, so if you're ever visiting, you know where to go to get that on of a kind piece!

Welcome!

Hey there!

Annabelle Jacobs here, self-confessed fashion addict and media junkie. I divide my time between London, Ireland (the two coolest places on earth) and anywhere else I can get a cheap flight to. Yep, living in the land of Ryanair does have its perks. I'm also a student, which means right now it's the summer and like so many others, I'm jobless. So I've taken to this blog to document my life and passions, which include fashion, music, travelling, going out and most of all, having FUN. So yeah, I'm your average teenager, stumbling through life's dramas and forgetting about them the next day. Wanna be my friend?