Fierce Shoe Friday

Reptile Repping...

I love nothing more than a chunky boot for winter. So today's Fierce Shoe Friday is Senso's 'Rex' in Bordo Suede. If you know me, I am very keen on the colour Burgundy, and this Bordo hue has sent me in wiz! Pure yumminess!

Senso is a brand I am going quite crazy for at the moment- their line of shoes are quite expensive but these bad boys are currently on sale for under eighty euro. Steal!

I absolutely love the subtle croc print in the Suede- and the chunky heel and 'Chelsea boot' nod of an elastic lining makes these boots look utterly comfortable. I recently just purchased an over-sized fur stole from Zara and would pair these boots with simple skinny jeans, a classic white shirt and the stole. Simple but classy!

Happy Friday and Happy shoe shopping! xx

'Rex'' Chunky Boot (SENSO)

Fierce Shoe Friday

Smokin'....

Today's Fierce Shoe Friday is Topshop's 'Absinth Stiletto cut out boot' in burgundy leather. Grey, Black and Burgundy are my staple colours for my a/w palette- and these boots are the perfect addition to adding some smokin hotness to your ootd! They will pair with almost everything, has a cheeky platform to making walking that bit easier and I just love the colour.

Pair these with tartan pants and an oversized jumper or channel your inner 90's cult classic 'Clueless' a la Alicia Silverstone obsession and go school girl with a mini kilt! 

Happy Shopping and Happy Friday,
x

Stiletto cut out boot (Topshop)

Are we just hypocrites?!

Can I first start of with how absolutely gorgeous Miley Cyrus is. Her clear skin, sparkly eyes and toned bod have me in awe. Last night, my Friday ritual of a cheeky glass of white wine and chat shows was in full swing. I was really looking forward to seeing Miley's appearance in the show especially after gasping for air throughout most of her infamous VMA performance a few weeks ago.  At the time, I was quick to throw of the poor role model judgement- how can 'Hannah Montana' do this to her loyal fans. Gyrating with a foam stick is not what little kids should be looking at?! I teach kids for a living and couldn't fathom allowing those dance moves in the class room...

But after watching her last night and really impressed with how she spoke in the Chatty Man interview (she was articulate, clearly defined the performance as a publicity stunt and held her ground) , I think I have totally done a u-turn! Should parents have been letting their kids watch the VMA's anyway?! I mean, this is the same VMA's that produced that Britney/Madonna/Christina kiss?! Kanye vs Taylor award speech?! Diana Ross and Lil Kim's Boob gate?!Britney's meltdown performance of Gimmie More?! Everyone knows that each year there is going to be some infamous scene that people will talk about for weeks!  MTV has long been known as a channel with no restrictions, that glorifies sex, drugs and rock n roll. So why the fuss? If it offends- simply change channel. Miley Cyrus isn't 14 anymore- she is a fully fledged artist in her 20's , developing and having fun and there are a number of other artists that have done performances just as prerogative! Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger X Factor performances or Christina Aguilera's 'stripped' album performances to name a few! 

Are we just plain hypocrites? Complaining about the lack of clothes and overt dance moves by Miley- yet this is a normal situation on a Saturday night in Dublin?! I have seen my fair share of ass cheeks, pole moves and general sluttiness on nights out! Why are we so quick to wack out the social media tools and frantically type away an opinion. Like she said, would people say to these comments to her actual face?! 

I love the VMA's and have watched them religiously for years...these artists are a business- they have to perform and sell records. Publicity stunts, making Internet trend lists and causing controversy are just part of it all...I for one, cannot wait till next years 'shock' performance by the next current artist....popcorn please! 

Fierce Shoe Friday

Spot the difference...

Today's Fierce Shoe Friday is a pair of spotted Chelsea boots by Nasty Gal's first ever shoe collection- Shoe Cult! I am so impressed with their line of affordable quirky shoes- but most of all with this cute bad boy! 

I love polka dots, and this is totally channeling my inner Disney 101 Dalmatians obsession I had when I was younger....Plus, I think these are a perfect pair of booties to add to the a/w wardrobe that we are all updating.Made in white pony hair and with a chunky heel (I am thinking these are totally practical for icy paths lol!). Pair with leather/waxed skinnies and a faux fur jacket or cable tights and an a-line skirt and all eyes will be on you...Woof Woof!

Happy Friday and Happy Shopping x

Shoe Cult- Spotted heeled chelsea boot (Nasty Gal)

Breakfast Ideas!

Rise and Grind...

This has been my motto for the last few weeks- I have made a conscious decision to look after my diet and health better. Don't get me wrong though- I still have days where I will have a hot date with Mr Ben and Jerry and devour a tub of chocolate fudge brownie all to myself or be a rebel and have two portions of spaghetti! What I have learned is that it's all about balance and moderation. 

I certainly don't believe in diets (unless you have an intolerance)- the likes of the Atkins or Paleo diets etc work for a period of time with regards to actual weight-loss- but we often crash and gorge and following these diets without the advice of a nutritionist can be harmful to the body long term. I am even skeptical with points based diets- they work for a period of time but long term goals should be about eating in moderation, not treating yourself to chocolate bar and having no points left to have dinner that night! Some of these diet programs (which I have read) also mention nothing about exercising at least three times a week. A healthy body is through both diet and exercise.

I am no nutritionist or personal trainer but have an understanding of whats right for me and what I need to do. I have a huge appetite. I wake up ravenous so my breakfast is always a decent meal (it's probably my favourite meal of the day..), and I always take half an hour out of my morning to make and enjoy something. Below are my top five breakfast meals...eggs tend to be a staple breakfast item for me and I have at least one cup of green tea every day- it flushes everything out of the system and my skin is very grateful for it;

Meal one:

One poached egg on one slice of wholegrain toast (small bit of butter), glass of juice, green tea and fromage frais with any seasonal fruit.

Meal two:

Breakfast Burritto ( wrap with two scrambled eggs, mushrooms, onions, tomato tofu mix/soy chorizo and avocado),green tea and an apple.

Meal Three:

Smoothie (makes two large glasses-glass of juice, one portion of fruit- I like to alternate depending whats fresh in the season, I am loving peaches and melon right now, banana, mixed frozen berries- which are full of anti-oxidants and chia seeds) and slice of wholegrain toast with peanut butter or honey, glass of green tea.

Meal Four:

Mixed berry oats cooked in semi-skimmed milk with honey, cup of green and glass of juice.

Meal Five: 

Pancakes( made with one egg, one cup of flour and one cup of milk)- I alternate my toppings with either banana/honey or mixed berries coulis or grilled pineapple with mint and rosemary, green tea and glass of juice.

What's your favourite healthu breakfast meals? Do you clean eat in the morning? Or do you skip breakfast? 

Bliss in the Algarve

After four weeks straight of working with kids, I needed a break. Our spontaneous trip was to Porches in the Algarve. It was amazing. All I did was eat, drink, tan, eat, drink, tan and did I mention eat, drink, tan? We chose a self catering accommodation and scored a cute quiet apartment with a pool and sea views which allowed us to do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. No plans. And that's what we did...

Food is a big factor in both mine and Ev's day- we made daily trips to the fish and veg markets indulging in top quality food that is so hard/and expensive to get back home. I had fresh figs every morning and fish every day.  We ate like kings but at a fraction of what we would have spent back home. Gigantic tomatoes, sardines, prawns, avocados and these yummy Portuguese custard tarts were a staple to our daily diet. We ate incredibly healthy...but I guess I wiped that out with several white wine bottles lol! Hey I was on my holidays...

I would spend my mornings by the pool and my evenings looking at the sunset from out balcony. Took day trips inland, but generally just became absolute sloths. And sometimes you need to do that in life...As I am reaching my mid twenties, I'm finding the importance in enjoying the little things in life- and a cup of coffee with the bf watching the sunset is my idea of bliss!

I feel fully recharged and eager to start my new business and meet new people, I can't believe how only seven days (I have never gone on a summer holiday less than 2.5 weeks lol!) has left me so relaxed but raring to go.

Below are some of my favourite pics!(This post has actually given me a serious amount of holidays blues, as I'm writing this, it is currenty lashing outside...weh!) I really will miss you Portugal x