1st College Year || Guide to Living Alone || Part One : Accommodation

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First of All CONGRATULATIONS. At this stage it's probably a couple of days since you've heard what you are going to be studying for the next few years of your life that's potentially going to shape your entire future. HUGE NEWS! You've probably been far too excited or overwhelmed at this news to think about more pressing matters.

Where am I going to live ? Who am I going to live with? Wait, Mom's not around to cook.. Does that mean pizza EVERYDAY *crosses fingers* ?

Well in the course of this mini blog series I'm going to answer these questions and hopefully make going into your first year a little less daunting. Also I'm no expert. I'm embarking on my second year of college and living away from home and what I can confidently say is that you never stop learning.

So Now the Big WHERE?

I was very lucky to have friends who were going into second year and an older sister going into 3rd year who pretty much did that work for me. However, this isn't the same for everyone. Have a look at all the resources your chosen college/uni has on their website. Most will have some kind of Accommodation Advisory Service set up by the Student's Union to help you out. Good websites for Ireland are Daft.ie, Rent.ie and MyHome.ie. Each of these give you the option of selecting your college/uni and finding accommodation close to campus.

Make sure to do a little background check on the location you've found. Are they student friendly? Is it safe?

WHO?

Great you've found where your living. But Who are you living with? To do this you need to decide what kind of accommodation you want. Apartment, Studio Flats, Houses, Room shares or Digs (A room in a house with a family). This choice is most likely decided by your budget.

Choose your roommates wisely. Sarah might be a great friend but do you think your relationship would be as great if you spent almost every waking minute with her? Basically a Great Friend is not always a Great Roommate.


This might sound like a done deal but you're going to have to overcome a few roadblocks. The big one especially for first years is unrealistic ideas. I'm still guilty of this. Don't expect to live in a superb, state of the art and modernly furnished Penthouse overlooking campus that ensures you being early for every 9am lecture when only getting up 15 minutes to the hour and still having showered and having had a full Irish breakfast that your maid brought to you in bed. Obviously this description is very sarcastic but you if your honest with yourself, are some of those things too much to ask ? And If you can admit that some of those things are the things you expected then you've fallen victim to unrealistic ideas aswell.

                                                                                                                           Photo Image : Google Images taken from www.idesignarch.com
I'm not saying you won't get anyone of those things, but I am saying that if you put your expectations that high your going to be in for a little bit of disappointment.

Hopefully this is of somehelp. I know its neither fashion or beauty but there will be a bit a both in the back to college posts to come.

                                                All the best to those House-hunting !

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Serge DeNimes || Pop-up Shop

                                                             Helloo Everyone !

So on my recent trip to London I went to have a look at the Serge DeNimes Pop-up Shop on Carnaby Street where I coincidentally met the owner, Made in Chelsea Star Oliver Proudlock. *screams* *faints*

Ok, so I wouldn't believe that either. A little bit of background for those who don't know, Serge DeNimes is a T-shirt brand set up by Oliver Proudlock himself and has been sold online on the independent website since slightly before Season 2 of Made in Chelsea hit our television screens, the first season in which handsome Proudlock appears.. The popularity of the brand was definitely not hurt by this and this summer the Brand hit the streets with a pop-up shop.

The Idea to the layout was Head To Toe, that people could come into the shop and literally be able to get something to wear from head to toe.. Sunglasses, shoes, bags and ofcourse T-shirts. To to this 4 other brands where handpicked by Proudlock; Marlborough world - Handbags, Oliver Sweeney - Shoes-, Finlay and Co. - Sunglasses, And Love Brand and Co- Shorts.

The Serge DeNimes Brand has also been expanding it's urban line with Beanies, Snapbacks, Iphone Cases and a few jewelry pieces. Recognition hasn't only been taken up by fans though, the massive brand Topman also recently launched Serge DeNimes in their stores and their websites.

 

 And back to our coincidental meeting. I had planned to visit the store but maybe I was pushed a little bit more when I saw a tweet that he'd be there. Well I guess seeing that tweet was coincidental for the most part.

If you missed the pop-up and would still like to check out the brand, Head over to SergeDeNimes.com or Topman.co.uk.

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Braids, Braids & Braids || Hair Makeover

This Post has been in the works for literally MONTHS! But College has proven to be more time-consuming than I thought. How and ever, here is the hairstyle I've been obsessing with for some time now.

BRAIDS.... Yeah I can't say it enough times to emphasize how much I love them.

Truth be told I used to be a hater, because it reminded me of my childhood and all the Cringe-Worthy memories that come with this time of my life. One of my friends thankfully encouraged me to broaden my hairstyles so I did.

The way I understand it Braids date back years and years and years... and braiding from the root especially, dates back to East African tradition. When we think about braids in the 90's we often think about Janet Jackson's beautiful box braids in Poetic Justice and now in our time celebs such as Brandy, Solange and Beyonce have been rocking the trendy hairstyle.

So here I am. Now I can't quite shake it. So Below are a few pics of different braid hairstyles, on myself and some of my friends.



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The Last Of Winter || Streetstyle

So hopefully with this title wintry weather will be banished from Ireland and I, and all others in Ireland,  can wear our Spring/Summer wardrobe without shivering or getting absolutely drenched.

Am I being far too Optimistic ? Probably, but a girl can but dream *heavy sigh*.

Here are some the Street-Style pictures I've taken this year! 

Farah

What do YOU love about fashion ? "It gives you a chance to represent yourself, people's style adds colour, life and excitement."

Favourite shops? "Vintage shops eg. Lucy's Lounge and the Ha'Penny Flea Market"

What are you wearing ? Jacket: St Vincent de Paul

 Scarf: New Look

Skirt: topshop

Briefcase: flea market in Spain. ONLY 3 EURO !

Shoes: Doc Martens (from Market)

Farah was such a nice girl ! I fell in love with her bag and was shocked to find out it was only 3 euro ! She suggested I check out the Ha'penny Flea market on Saturdays where she finds some of her bargains a little closer to home.

Rob Kenny

What do you love about fashion? "Thrill out of styling myself"

Favourite Shops? "Brown Thomas (The Kooples), Vintage Shops, Cos ,Online Stores eg Bitching and junk food.

What are you wearing? Jacket: The Kooples BT

Trousers: Zara

Shoes: Eden (French Designer)

Rob mentioned just being back from 5 months away in France, says he was very much influenced by their fashion, their designers etc. And as a result his look has changed from "Hipster" to more "Chic". 

Laura

What do YOU love about fashion? "Express yourself through fashion"

Favourite shops? "Vintage shops in the temple bar area, Zara, Shutterbug, Topshop

What are you wearing? Jacket: River Island

Cardigan: Shutterbug

Jumper: 9 crow street

Leggings: Topshop

Boots: Topshop

Laura has amazing hair! I spotted her just off Grafton Street and just loved her outfit. I like the way her hair clashed against her burnt orange jumper. Perfect example of how to add colour to you A/w wardrobe!

For more Street-Style, keep a constant eye on DublinTown.ie's tumblr. If I'm not here, I'm there!

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Resolutions Wishlist !

So this is a wish-list as you can all probably guess but what's different about this is I've paired them all with a New Year's Resolution! I don't usually make a big fuss about resolutions because I lack the will power to keep them till February but I thought that maybe (just maybe) if there's some kind of reward involved I'll be motivated for longer ? Maybe ... Makes a Cool Blog Post anyway..

1) "I will be a more frequent blogger with more product reviews, street-style posts etc"

I've really loved blogging for this half year but I never really thought about how much time goes into it. With moving out for college, starting college and all that comes with that time just flew. But when I did have time there was always one thing that slowed me down again, my camera ! The time we've spent together has been nice but my (not-so-trusty) pal is going to be replaced.

Fujifilm S2980 14MP Bridge Camera

And these two are the contenders for my new camera!

Nikon D3100 14MP DSLR Camera

I am no professional when it comes to cameras, but from what I gather the main difference between these two cameras, besides the massive price difference, is that a DSLR can have it's lenses changed to suit whatever kind of photography you need it for and a Bridge camera doesn't have changeable lenses. If you are in anyway camera knowledgeable do feel free to correct my uber-common way of describing them. I am torn between the two for now, but one of these will be a winner. 

2) "I will grow my lipstick collection into new extremities"

I didn't always love lipstick because when I tried it first as a 13/14 year old over-all make-up beginner , I tried the ones with glossy finishes and I must have applied far too much and in the end I just didn't find them flattering. But at 16 or so, I found matte lipsticks and it was love at first wearing. Also I did get the hang of other lipstick finishes (Thank You Youtube!) but Matte finishes were my favourite. Which brings me to one particular lipstick range that could become my favourite lipstick collection ever ! 

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipsticks

3) "I will be more grown up and lady-like"
I turned 18 last October and so a now fully recognised Adult (atleast in Europe), and not that I act like a child particularly but I'm still often confused for a 15 year old. It's a little bit upsetting but the bright side is, I'll like it when I'm older perhaps. This brings me to the following items below! Black Handbags ! A stable in every woman's life. I need one that fits my laptop, A4 pads etc so I'm stuck between these two. Both from Zara  and perfect.

And that's it for the most part, I kept it short cause maybe this way I can actually stick to it . 

Again I'd like to thank everyone who has read my blog this year. Like I've said I've really loved it and seeing the pageviews, GFC followers, and bloglovin' followers growing , really puts a smile on my face. Also meeting other Irish Bloggers like Lisa, Leanne Woodfull, Mia Oliver, Debbie and Julie etc. 

Feel Free to do this Post on your blog and send me a link on twitter or in the comment section below.

Happy New Year !

xx

Lancome S/S '13 Launch Event | 26-11-2012

Last night I was lucky enough to go along to the Lancome's S/S 13' Launch in The Shelbourne Hotel. The event was exclusively for bloggers and press so I was really excited to see many of Ireland's familiar faces from the fashion industry. The event was a launch of their spring summer collection (above) created collaboratively with the face of the collection Emma Watson. One of Lancome's Senior make-up artists, Eimear told me about how Emma Watson had a lot of input into the collection so much so it really could be called her collection! 

My friend and fellow blogger Eunice Abe was modelling the makeup at the event. Blog: individualitycreativitystyle.blogspot.ie So I got a little time behind the scenes too.

The event was also a launch of Lancome's brand new foundation, Lancome Teint Visionnaire Foundation. It comes in 18 different shades and comes with a matching concealer at the top of foundation bottle! The foundation is supposed to be a "treatment" foundation with skincare benefits too ! It sounds amazing to be, sadly we have to wait till February to get our hands on this almost magic sounding foundation.

                                             

Keep an eye out on the Dublin Fashion Festival Facebook page for more pictures of the event ! 

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Streetstyle !

Quick Update ! I haven't been blogging as much as I've wanted but this semester is almost over and with so many events around the corner keep your eyes peeled because new exciting content is coming soon !

And in the mean time here's some Streetstyle that have been on the DublinTown tumblr ! I'll be taking my winter snaps soon, so if your in the Dublin area have your best wintry/wintery stuff on and I might spot you !

 Two girls both rocking black and white outfits. In the words of Yves Saint Laurent "Fashions fade, Style is Eternal" and this style really is just that.

A bit of a contrast to the other two outfits but I always love a pop of colour ! Even though it's colder now, it's still nice to add a bit of colour into our winter wardrobes. My favourite piece was Fauve's (middle) chimono styled cardigan and her skull necklace.

As Always Thanks For Reading ! I noticed I've reached 10 followers and I'm super thankful ! I have plans for a thank you giveaway but not quite yet ;) 

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