Retro Flame: February 2013

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Boohoo Collaboration: Outfit One

Back in December I was contacted by the lovely people at Boohoo.com and asked if I'd like to collaborate. They had just began their #Globalstyler campaign, a campaign where bloggers from all over the world style different looks using their pieces in a photo shoot in one of their local cities. I was absolutely over the moon when they told me that I was the blogger they had chosen to represent Ireland! Receiving those type of emails genuinely makes it all worthwhile. So I spent a few days searching through the website choosing 6 looks (in accordance to certain trends) -skirts, tops, pants, shorts, blazers, jewellery, boots, heels, bags....everything! You can just imagine how much fun I had and how excited I was that I was going to be allowed to keep everything at the end! Then, just a few days before Christmas, I travelled up to Dublin to meet the team and had such a fun day shooting the looks around the city. I had been working with a girl called, Emma, who was an absolute gem and the whole experience was amazing! I've been featured on their website and in their StyleFix Magazine (even on the front page on one of their editions!) so I'm beyond delighted with it all. To be included in a campaign with some of my favourite international bloggers (Lua P, Bebe Zeva, Lily Murs) is really such an honour! Here's a look at the feature...

See the feature HERE

As I mentioned, I got to choose 6 looks and so I'll be sharing a few with you in the next few days. First up is my B&W combo. We shot this look outside some colorful doors in Dublin and I just loved the purple backdrop! The outfit is very simple - a dogtooth skirt, a simple/staple black blazer and black boots. The neckclace is my own - I love how they allowed me to add in my own little touch. I've worn the skirt loads since the shoot -it fits in perfectly with the current monochrome trend.

Boohoo Dogtooth Skirt || Boohoo Black Blazer || Boohoo Black Boots || Boohoo Highneck Top

It's hard for me to believe I'm saying this but I'm actually writing this post from a (new) hospital bed. Yesterday evening I became sick again and had to come straight back into hospital :( It's nothing too serious hopefully and I should just be in here for a few more days. On the upside, however, there's good wifi in this one so at least I'll be able to continue to get back blogging. I'll have more Boohoo Outfit Posts coming up in the next few days so keep an eye out.

P.S -You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu HERE.

Hope you're all having a lovely week!

Stylishly yours,

Erika x

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Brighter Days

Hey everyone, so here is a post at last! You might have seen on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram that I've been in hospital for the past two weeks and just finally made it home to Kerry yesterday. Unfortunately, two weeks ago I was rushed into hospital with a burst appendix (it really is as awful as it sounds), had surgery & then experienced many complications after the operation -so to say I've had a rough few weeks might just be one way of putting it. It was my very first time in hospital so as you can imagine, it all came as a pretty huge shock! My poor Mom spent the whole time with me in hospital & I've had such great support from my family, boyfriend and friends.

Unfortunately, because it was such a complicated experience, I've been told to rest up for another good while so I won't be back to college, work, etc. for a few more weeks. However, in the meantime, I'll be doing my very best to blog as much as I can (when I have the energy) and hopefully I'll be back on track before we all know it. It's been very strange not being able to blog during the last few weeks. I'm the type of person who wouldn't let a day pass without opening my laptop and so not having the energy to do this was, well, very weird. I've genuinely missed it like crazy & want to say a big thanks to all of you for sticking around! It made me step back for a little while and now I'm ready again to get loads of new plans and projects going.

You also might have seen that my collaboration with Boohoo.com has been published and I'm on the front cover of their magazine and on their current website homepage!! It was such a nice treat to see this when I was so sick & I'll have a post tomorrow with all the photos from the shoot.

It's good to be back!

Stylishly yours,

Erika x

Monday, 11 February 2013

Behind the Scenes: Bridal Show

You might have seen on my Twitter, Facebook Page & Instagram that I spent the weekend working backstage at a bridal show in Millstreet with Upfront Model Management. It was a bay two days, with four shows in total but I really enjoyed being backstage again. My very first internship was with Upfront & so I've been working at these type of shows for nearly three years now! I've included some behind the scenes pics above of the running orders, hair & make-up, the beautiful models & the most amazing bouquets I have ever seen! I also managed to squeeze in time to take a very quick snap of my outfit on both days...

DAY 1:

Vintage Baby Pink Lace Top, Penneys Pearls & Forever 21 Leather Skirt

DAY 2:

H&M Skirt, New Look Blazer (Similar Here) & Topshop Boots

Apologies for the lack of posts last week, it was a crazy one to say the least! But expect blog posts most days this week as I'll be online quite a lot prepping for London Fashion Week at the weekend -can't believe it's so close!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Stylishly yours,

Erika x

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Trend Watch: Let your t-shirt do the talking.

I've always loved a good statement t-shirt. I even went through a phase of making my own when I first started blogging (check it out HERE). Last night, I posted a picture on my Instagram of a pair of shorts that I made from mens vintage jeans in NYC & received a lovely comment saying that I should definitely start making more versions. So I've decided that it's time to revive my love for DIY and possibly put some pieces up for sale on my blog shop. When I first started blogging back in the day (before loads of you knew my little ol' blog existed), I used to post tutorials of different pieces I added a little DIY touch too, examples here, here & here.....and it's definitely time now to get creative again. Be sure to let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like me to try & of course, keep an eye out for some upcoming posts!

P.S. I booked my flights to london for Fashion Week!! Counting down the days.....

Stylishly yours,

Erika x

Monday, 4 February 2013

Outfit Post: B&W

H&M Shirt // H&M Leather Pants (Similar HERE) // Zara Boots (Similar HERE) // GoJane Sunnies (Similar HERE) Thrifted Bowler Hat (Similar HERE)
HYPE on Lookbook.nu HERE

I love a black & white combo at the moment - simple and understated but highly effective! I picked up this shirt in H&M in Edinburgh, along with these Zara Boots (which are my newest obsession). I had wanted to post this over the weekend, but unfortunately the internet was down at my house in Kerry all weekend so it had to wait until today. I'm really enjoying being back doing outfit posts properly again!

New York Fashion Week starts this week & it's honestly all I can think about at the moment. Hard to believe that I was actually working at last seasons one -what I'd do to be there again! Watch out for some NYFW posts this week -I'll literally be glued to the laptop looking at the shows & the street-style.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Stylishly yours,

Erika x

Friday, 1 February 2013

Outfit Post: Commerce Ball

Miss Daisy Blue Dress // GoJane Shoes

Hey everyone! So I finally have a full outfit post for you from my college ball which took place on Wednesday. I had posted a quick preview on the blog & on my Retro Flame Facebook Page and I just want to say a huge thank you for all the lovely compliments! My Mom & I bought this dress just before Christmas in a vintage store in Cork called Miss Daisy Blue. We spent at least an hour in the store trying on different dresses, but this was by far our favourite. I just adore the long sleeves and of course, the amazing embellishment!

We took these pictures really quickly in our back garden just before we left for the ball, so excuse the not-so-exciting background, I just wanted to ensure that the lighting would be good. I had an amazing night at the ball and got to meet some of my readers in person which is always really lovely! I was also involved in choosing the best dressed lady on the night which was very fun & I'll have some pictures of my favourites to show you next week.

If only every day could be as glamorous...!
Have a great weekend everyone,

Stylishly yours,

Erika x