Dressember is almost here!

I’m participating in this year’s Dressember! It’s a really simple but fab idea: wear at least one dress everyday during December and show it off! If you want to participate and don’t have a blog, you can post up onto the Facebook page.

I definitely don’t own anywhere near 31 dresses so will have work at styling mine. And realising December is only two days away I put two DVF dresses in the washing machine. Let’s hope they don’t come out tiny. The dresses have been folded in a bag waiting to be dry cleaned for about 2 years now which is ridiculous and a waste of clothes.The dresses were a splurge when I went to Woodbury Common and I love them. You’ll see them during Dressember!

Image alter brooklyn.

National Crafts & Design Fair 2011

It’s almost my favourite time of year, the one that fits in nicely just before the Christmas festivities begin: the wonderful National Crafts & Design Fair 2011 runs this week from 30th November to 4th December at the RDS, Dublin.

Honestly, believe the hype for this exhibition. As someone who has been to a lot of exhibitions and worked at quite a few, this really is a fantastic day out, seeing a fabulous range of work as well as the perfect spot to do your Christmas shopping. There will be over 500 exhibitors; designers, artists and craftspeople. And a Food Emporium! It’s an opportunity to support Irish Crafts and Design. I’ve done my Christmas shopping so will make a small and shiny purchase for me this year!

A fashionable way to make the most out of your trip:
*Go early if you can as it gets so busy. Its easier to see what’s on offer if a stall isn’t four people deep.*Remember to bring cash as not every exhibitor will take cards. *It’s always warm inside and you can end up carrying a coat all day so try not to bring your new Puffa coat. *Pick your companions wisely, it is a fabulous shopping opportunity and not to be wasted! If I brought my lovely kids and husband the moaning and groaning would start after ten minutes!

Marks & Spencers with an added dose of style…

I think Marks & Spencers is getting a quiet makeover. The store has not been regarded as a fashion destination for a long time. M&S is more department store than a brand now. It still has to cater for the older more conservative dresser and target a younger, more fashionable demography. A difficult task for any retail giant in this climate. With a new chief executive since 2010 and other key staff appointments, they do seem to be getting the store out of the doldrums.

Let me present the evidence: ad campaign with inspired casting (Ryan Reynolds and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), clothes are starting to appear in editorials in Grazia and Elle among others. These clothes are covetable. My local M&S sadly caters more for the mature lady than me. However I think checking out their flagship store in city centre will be on my list.

(images M&S)