Vulgar Moon - fashion, style, and girl cooties from Ireland

Competition Time - LuShae Jewelry Sweepstakes

2009-12-14T21:41:00.003Z

Hey all, just popping in to let you know about a great competition that's been drawn to my attention.

LuShae Jewelry hold an annual sweepstakes, and you can be in with the chance to win $5000 in cash. Not too shabby, eh?

So how to get your hands on this lovely moolah? Simply display one of LuShae's banners on your website, blog, or social profile, fill in the little form at the bottom of the page, et voila!

Sound good? Click here to enter, and best of luck to anyone who does!

Twilight Saga: New Moon - Alice Cullen Fashion & Style

2009-11-25T21:24:00.007Z

Okay, time for 'fessing up: I went to see New Moon (as in, the new Twilight film, for anyone who's managed to live in la-la land until now) this evening. The dialogue was absolutely dire, the acting laughable, and the special effects lamentable. And yet... I kind of enjoyed it. I don't think I'll ever be able to stomach the books, but those films really are girl-crack. (Just please don't take any relationship lessons from them, anyone.)

One of the (few) things I genuinely enjoyed about New Moon, though, was the costuming. All the characters had a really distinctive dress-sense — or lack thereof... I'm looking at you, Jacob! Put a bloody shirt on.

My probably-not-too-surprising favourite was Alice Cullen, who is just frigging adorable. Great hair? Check. Kooky choice of clothing? Check. Vintage aesthetic? Check. Interesting layering? Check. Check, check, check, check, ad infinitum.

Waistcoat + blouse + bow = A+

This is very Chuck from Pushing Daisies, don't you think?

I'm quite partial to blue, and this shade is really gorgeous. The Cullens actually seemed to have a lot of blue, grey, and black going on in general. Guess it's just a vampire thang.

Style tip: what could be a boring set of neutral colours is made infinitely more exciting by layering a whole bunch of things. The similar shades keep it from being too busy, while the large number of items keeps it from being too boring.

This purple really just seals my UNDYING LOVE for Alice Cullen's wardrobe.

In conclusion: I want her hair, covet her wardrobe, and doing research for a Twilight-related post is scary — the fangirls, the fangirls...

Have any of you guys been to see New Moon? Thoughts? Opinions? Wailings? Demands for those two hours of your life back?

Leather Bags — Utter Perfection

2009-11-22T20:19:00.004Z

My utterly nerdy fantasy job is to be some sort of Indiana Jones-esque archaeologist/librarian, which may explain the current obsession that I'm about to detail. I adopted a leather backpack from my father for college this term, and I now love it like I've never loved a bag before. It's infinitely practical, looks a hell of a lot more interesting than a crappy sports-brand backpack, and whenever I wear it I feel like I'm adventuring. I think I might have to invest in a good-quality leather satchel next time I have a bit of money... but until then (and god know when that will be!), I'm just going to drool over internet merchandise. Sigh.

Items in this set:
Refinery29shops.com bag, $557
Fred Perry tote bag, 206 EUR
Frye tote bag, $57
French Connection, 220 GBP
Mantaray, 80 GBP

ETA: The day after I wrote this post, my beloved bag decided to give up the ghost DDD:

The Beauty Spot: Barry M Dazzle Dust Review

2009-11-07T18:54:00.007Z

Barry M Dazzle Dust gets the spotlight today. What is it? Itty bitty pots of wonderfully sparkly eyeshadow, in just about every colour under the sun. You can go drool over all 76 (!) shades on their website, if you'd like. Temptation.... Seriously, I'm not that big a makeup dork, but I want all of these now plzkthx.

I bought a pot of Old Gold about a month ago, and I really absolutely love this stuff. Usually about €7 a pop, it's (relatively) cheap and cheerful. Also, most importantly, SUPREMELY SPARKLY. Lives up to its name, fo' sho'. Actually, now that I think of it, it reminds me a bit of what I'd imagine Lime Crime makeup to be like — minus unfortunate overseas shipping charges.

Applied with a dry brush, it's completely wearable during the day, but you can make it infinitely more intense by dampening your brush a little before you put it on. And voila, you are the most dazzling girl (or boy, if you'd like) in the land!

The verdict: Lots of love for this from Vulgar Moon! I've been wearing it just about every day for the last month or two, and I ain't sick of it yet. GLITTERRRRRRR. It's completely my makeup vice, if you haven't figured that out yet.

Also, a quick note for Limerick readers. (Possibly for other Irish folk, too.) Debenhams have a whole load of Dazzle Dust on special at the moment! Just €3.47 a go. Sweeeeet. They don't have all the shades, but the selection isn't to be sniffed at. And I won't lie, this was completely my motivation for writing this post; I just bought three more pots.

A Daily Outfit... Of Sorts.

2009-11-04T23:46:00.002Z

This is me hangin' out with the President, wearing my mahvellous new dress from Monsoon ;) I was seriously sick that day, so the slightly pained expression on my face is, "please don't faint, please don't faint..."

(Third from the right in the front, if you can't Spot the Blogger.)

Anyway, back to my essay. Got to live up to my award, don'tcha know!

A Drawin'

2009-10-11T00:00:00.003+01:00

And since I've no new outfit post for y'all today (horror of horrors I wore the same clothes twice), have a sketch. I suffer from chronic drawing-versions-of-myself syndrome, so it's almost the same thing!

Someday I will draw something other than pretty girls staring vacantly into the distance. Current alternative subject: wolves! More details on this will (maybe) follow.

Hmmm, hmmmmm, hmmmmmmmmm.

2009-10-10T23:03:00.002+01:00

Thinking of splashing out a bit for this dress...

It would be so much fun to cozy up in for the winter. And would go so well with m'new coat. Thoughts? (Though I think I've already sold myself on it, to be honest. Goddamn boyfriend and his encouragement.)

Daily Outfit: Autumn Green

2009-10-08T17:37:00.003+01:00

A long-awaited and much-deserved (if I may say so myself) day off today. Breathe.

I went in to buy socks yesterday, and came out with this cardigan as well. But it was half price, a byootiful colour, and had funny sleeves, so I feel justified in my frivolous spending. Right? Right???

Dress & necklace - second-hand.
Cardigan - Dunnes.
My new winter boots! - Office in Edinburgh.
Hairband - Penneys.

Ooh, and I woke up this morning to find a slip telling me that I had a parcel waiting in the post office. What did I find there? My new red coat from Edith & Ella!

For some reason, the colour freaks my camera out a lot, so the coat looks radioactive pink in every picture I take. But it's red, I promise. It feels a bit like a dressing gown, only for outside. Good stuff.

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...

2009-10-01T16:55:00.004+01:00

The first of October. My favourite month of the year, no question about it. I'm sitting in a quietly buzzing café, drinking tea and working on an essay for college. I've been here for about three hours, but I don't feel like leaving yet. The heating's turned up quite high, but the door is open so I can still feel the brush of air from outside. Happiness? This is it.

Happiness is also this scan from Cosmo Girl, which arrived in my inbox recently, courtesy of Edith & Ella (who provided the jumper). I could definitely do with more musical-instrument headbands in my life.

(Unhappiness is the continuing lack of photobucket bandwidth, and lack of time to sort it out.)

Housekeeping Post No. 123987459783682

2009-09-26T14:36:00.002+01:00

Hey guys, if you've noticed all the photobucket nonsense that's going on with Vulgar Moon, sorry about that. I'm hoping it'll sort itself out on October 1st, which will hopefully leave me with some time to fix up an alternative... Until then, don't give up on me!

Painful Pleasure

2009-09-13T21:22:00.006+01:00

Google Analytics actually does terrible things for my mental state; when I ignore the blog for a while, the numbers start to slip, and I start fretting and feeling pressured to post and the idea of blogging for blogging's sake just goes flying out the bloody window... Aren't hobbies supposed to be fun???

Not that I think I'm going to have much time for fun now that I'm in my final year of university — I've been back a week and it's crazy. I'm already fantasising about running off and living in the woods, surrounded by books, wearing woolly skirts and jumpers, and sleeping for twelve hours a day. I don't usually get to that stage until about week eight :P

Edith & Ella

Absence...

2009-09-05T00:28:00.001+01:00

Sorry guys, been having exciting times!

Link Love: 21/08/09

2009-08-21T21:20:00.004+01:00

Sorry for being away, guys. I've been pretty busy at work this week, and too tired to do anything productive on the internet (helloooooooo, F My Life). But now, after eleven hours of sleep and a good nap, I'm back with some of this week's internet delights!

For any Zooey Deschanel fangirls out there, here's an entire Tumblr account dedicated to her.
I want ampersand cufflinks. I'd probably need a shirt first, though...
Tara from completely gives up pants in favour of dresses — find out what she thought about it at The Pretty Year.
A few different ways to get in on the brown cord skirt trend.
How to make an incredibly simple, but very cute skirt, from Tagtraeumerin.
Charles Trenet is my current musical obsession.
Patrick Wolf is no longer my current musical obsession, because he's kind of a huge bitch. I'm disappointed, Pat.
A Smooth Criminal music video, starring none other than Fred Astaire. Argh, this is amazing!
Blog Crush: Vanessa Jackman. I'm enjoying her street style posts so much more than The Sartorialist's these days, mostly because I feel she photographs a bigger variety of people (for me, old European men and model-thin women just blur into one big yawnfest after a while).
All kitties are good, but multicoloured ones are clearly the best!

Tim Walker

Vulgar Moon on Tumblr!

2009-08-16T21:17:00.004+01:00

O hai, I made a Tumblr account.

Mostly I'm excited about the fact that it looks like Penguin Classics, but it's also filled (well, it will be filled) with lots of randomly great pictures and quotes. Head over and follow it if you're feeling so inclined, I'd be happy to see you there!

Daily Outfit: 15/07/09

2009-08-15T17:36:00.004+01:00

I'm reading American Psycho and feeling incredibly disillusioned for the last few days; imagining everything I do in terms of Brett Easton Ellis' prose. It's not pretty.

Shoes - Clarks
Belt - vintage
Everything else - Penney's/Primark

I've been wearing nothing but black, white and red lately. I don't know where the urge came from, but I like the simplicity. They're the same colours I'm always drawn to when I'm painting or sketching, so I feel like a drawing whenever I combine them. Plus, as I've said before, red is easily my favourite colour, so instant (sartorial) happiness when I put it on.

I need to go find some things to cheer myself up now...

Daily Outfit: In The Navy (and Red)

2009-08-11T18:55:00.003+01:00

I can't wait to go back to college. My brain is turning into horrible, vapid mush and I need something to force it back into action (no, I don't know what I'll do when I graduate... probably more college). As much as I know I'm going to hate my 13,000-word research project by the end of next term, right now I say BRING IT ON.

Dress & tights - New Look
Cardigan - Edith & Ella
Shoes - Clarks

(B&W photo courtesy of the fact that I have delightfully pretentious friends.)

Easy Vintage Hairstyle — Braids / Plaits

2009-08-09T19:32:00.003+01:00

I rarely style my hair at all; I guess I'm lucky in that I can just wash it and leave it turn into ringlets by itself. The thing is, a nice hairstyle can make you feel as good as a nice outfit — especially if you're stuck wearing a uniform for work or school. So, in an effort to... well, to make more of an effort, I scraped my locks into this vintage-esque style this morning:

I love itttttt! Especially because it takes a grand total of about two minutes to tie up, and even looks stylish when it frizzes up a bit during the day.

A Quick How To: Simple Vintage Braided Hair

Step One: Part your hair into two sections, plait one on either side of your head — by this I mean, give yourself pigtails!

Step Two: Cross them at the back of your head, pin them neatly at either side.

Step Three: Add some decorations. Go crazy! I just threw on a double-stranded hairband, because I was in the mood to channel The Lady of Shallot (yup, still on my Pre-Raphaelite kick).

Extra Credit Step: An alternative way to style this is to cross the braids over the top of your head instead of underneath — just make sure they're tightly woven, or they have a bit of a tendency to poof out at the sides of your head.

I'm On A Train.

2009-08-08T21:31:00.006+01:00

Today I wore spots.

And bought more spots.

Roll up, roll up! For your eyes only! A super-secret, sneak preview of an upcoming outfit!

Style Tip: Update Your Outfits in a Snap

2009-08-05T15:57:00.003+01:00

The best thing I've bought in a long time?

This bow pin cost me something like €2, and I've worn it almost every single day since. It makes plain old t-shirts look interesting again, gives boring hair-ties some oomph, and generally allows me to indulge my bow-lust to a ridiculous degree. I can pin it to anything! Best. Cheap. Fun. Ever.

Other things to attach bows to:

★ Bags
★ Underwear
★ Hats
★ Knee socks
★ Hairbands
★ Fabric-covered notebooks
★ Shoes
★ Friends (omg, matchers!)
★ Pet collars

...Any other suggestions?

Love for Links

2009-08-02T13:19:00.004+01:00

I plan on spending the evening at a soiree for my friend, who's coming back from China after a year (!). Exciting! I hope the rest of your weekends are going similarly well. If not... well, here are some links to brighten up your day a bit:

★ I'm obsessed with the Children's/Fantasy Illustrations blog. I found it a few days ago and can't stap trawling through all the images. Inspiring stuff!

★ An incredibly beautiful dress.

★ Moar pictures of cute boys in Jedi underwear plz, world. (Via Nubby Twiglet.)

★ On a similar note, I do like me a man in a hat.

★ Rubik's Cube sandwich!

★ I think I want to be more than just friends with this girl's headband.

★ Sick of skirts but don't even know where to begin with pants? Check out this great inspiration post.

★ The coolest way to light a cigarette ever? I think so.

Until next time, folks.

Etsy Picks: Desperate Romantics

2009-07-28T22:32:00.006+01:00

Is anyone else watching the BBC's new period drama, Desperate Romantics — the ever-so-slightly fictionalised version of the lives of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood? As ridiculous as it is, I'll forgive its extravagant dramatics, because to quote the show itself:

"[The PRB] were inspired by the real world, yet took imaginative licence. This story, based on their lives and loves, follows in that inventive spirit."

I laughed a lot when I saw that.

Lizzie Siddal, PRB muse, as portrayed by Amy Manson. Her hair makes me swoon. Or would, if I actually ever did that...

Anyway, I've had the googlies over these guys for years, and in honour of that, my next batch of Etsy Picks is based around their work:

The Lady of Shallott Pendant

This was my favourite painting in the world for a long, long time and why did I never think of looking for jewellery of it before?

Joan of Arc Necklace

Poor ol' Millais is sorely under-represented on Etsy. He was a staggeringly talented guy (who entered the Royal Academy of Art when he was eleven).

Ophelia Pendant

Are you a Shakespeare fan as well as a Waterhouse fan? Well, this is for you, then! Why can't I paint like this...?

Rossetti Necklace

Yup, you can have the man himself adorning your neck! In all his pompous glory!

I think I'll be ordering some of these once I get some money in my hands. Speaking of which, I'm starting a new job tomorrow — wish me luck!

I love...

2009-07-21T23:44:00.000+01:00

...the things you can discover in the backs of random shops at times.

How to Dress Up a T-Shirt

2009-07-21T23:31:00.002+01:00

I wish I owned more interesting t-shirts. I'm developing a bit of a fondness for them lately, even though they're never going to dominate my wardrobe.

Wearing them, though, poses a bit of a difficulty, because I always feel so mucky and drab when I do. So, without further ado, I present to you...

How to Make a T-Shirt More Stylish

There are three basic ways to do this, although they are by no means the be-all and end-all of t-shirt wearing. They'll help make things a bit more interesting, though — so just think a little harder before you confine your t-shirts to the realm of trainers and jeans.

1. Layer it up!
Look as though you put in a bit more effort by layering a t-shirt over any of the following:

long-sleeve top, short-sleeve top,
collared shirt, light hoodie,
shirt dress, lace top,
matching colours, contrasting colours... &c.

joan!ta

Or under any number of other things:

cardigans (my favourite), blazers,
cropped jackets, boleros,
scarves, suspenders/braces,
denim jackets, enormous shirts,
dungarees, waistcoats,
dungaree dresses... &c.

thecatspyjamas

2. Tuck it In!
Let it all hang out if you'd like, but if you want to up the style factor of your tee, try tucking it into your skirt or jeans. It'll instantly make your look I think t-shirts look incredibly good with high-waisted shorts and a pair of tights, too.

Nubby Twiglet

3. Belt It!
The problem with lots of t-shirts is that, while the print may be gorgeous, the shirt itself is shapeless and unflattering. Add a belt for an instant waist — put it over the t-shirt, over a cardigan over the t-shirt... whatever floats your boat.

Gala Darling

I admit that I really don't wear t-shirts very often, so do any of you more experienced folks have expert tips that I've missed out on?

Also, where do you like to buy your t-shirts? Not sure where to start? Try:

(This post was featured on Lovelyish, so take a gander for some more comments over there!)

Perspective

2009-07-21T13:15:00.004+01:00

As great as fashionable do-dads are, there's always a sense of inadequacy that accompanies an interest in them. Looking at pictures — in magazines, fashion blogs, whatever — creates a huge desire to wantneedbuyNOW, and heightens the belief that if you could only have that one thing, whatever it may be, all your failings would be rendered obsolete.

I fall prey to this pretty often, I must confess. But I do have a solution! For those moments when you feel that your clothes aren't stylish enough, your hair isn't quirky enough, your shoes aren't individual enough, your makeup isn't statement enough, and your eyebrows don't perfectly express your sense of personal aesthetics... I present to you, perspective. In handy, animated GIF form!

(If the image isn't displaying fully for you, click on it to view it outside of this blog.)

If I Was A Boy

2009-07-20T22:54:00.004+01:00

Sometimes I like to imagine how amazing I would be if I was a boy...

...But then I remember that I can just dress like that if I feel like it, anyway. I had a fun day trawling through menswear sales with my brother yesterday.

All images from the ever-inspirational Hel-Looks.