My Galway Fashion Trail Experience & Survival Guide

Last Saturday morning I arose as early as I possibly could to ensure that I was fully prepared for the day ahead. It was the morning we were all waiting for. The morning of Galway Fashion Trail. This was my fourth time to attend a Fashion Trail hosted and created by Golden Egg Productions  and Galway Now Magazine  in collaboration with Into The West Blogger Network. So as you can imagine I have really enjoyed each and every experience.

The morning began with a lavish Blogger's Breakfast in Colm Quinn BMW showrooms. Before we were chauffeured around the city ahead of the eight fashion shows that were to take place that day. Colm Quinn's BMW showrooms are absolutely stunning,which adds an even more luxurious experience. I couldn't help but take outfits photos in such a prestigious environment.

The eight fashion shows on the day took place in Colette Latchford, Greene's Shoes featuring Galway Hat Shop, Treasure Chest, Willow, Rococo, Choice, Kilkenny and Harper. All eight shows proved how much Galway's high street has to offer. Milliner's such as Majella Lennon, Brid O'Driscoll and Suzie Mahony also collaborated with exclusive boutiques on the day. We also got a glimpse of Colin Burke's high fashion collection which left us dreaming of sitting front row of Paris Fashion Week.

With a few moments to spare, we made our way to Caprice Cafe which has the most beautiful cream interiors which go oh so perfectly with my Instagram theme if I do say so myself. We were treated to lunch and their infamous organic coffee. If you haven't tried the mocha's here what are you waiting for? We finished the day with a 'Wrap Party' in the Front Door Pub in Galway, which is a very popular spot for locals and tourists a like.  

From start to finish the day was a huge success. #GalwayFashionTrail was trending number 1 on twitter from 11:30am which really proves the importance of having bloggers and press at an event if you are looking for high profile media attention. 

Now that I feel am an experienced Fashion Trail attendee I thought that I would put together a 'Survival Guide' for any newbie bloggers attending the event or for any guests attending the event for the very first time.

My Galway Fashion Trail Survival Guide 

1. Preparation is key

Fail to prepare... Prepare to fail. This quote does not only apply to exams but also very much to Galway Fashion Trail. Check the weather in advance, lay out your clothes out the night before. Pack your handbag the night before. Ensure that your phone and power banks are fully charged, believe me, you will need them. Anything that  you need to make your morning run smoother have ready to go. This can be something as simple has having your hair straighter plugged in so you don't have to go looking for plugs wasting time.  

2. Physical Comfort 

How you look and dress is always important, but also taking into consideration that comfort is key. You will be on those pins all day so how are you going to take in all the beautiful shows that you will be experiencing if all you are thinking about is how much your feet are killing you and how much you are looking forward to sitting down.

3. Location

If you are living in Galway make sure that you have your taxi booked the night before to avoid any delays. If you have to travel to Galway for the event make sure that you pick a hotel with easy access to both the location of the Bloggers Breakfast and the Wrap Party. This will not only save you time but also money as you wont have to spend as much on transport.

4. Snacks 

Throughout the day bloggers and press get treated to complimentary  breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. But it is a long day and you are on your feet so make sure to have a bottle of water in your bag to stay hydrated and a few snacks to keep your going until the next rest stop. 

I had such an amazing day at the Fashion Trail and believe that each and every event gets better and better. Thank you so much to Sinead and Saibh from Into The West Blogger Network, the team at Golden Egg Productions and Galway Now. Colm Quinn BMW Showrooms, Caprice Cafe, the Front Door Pub and all the boutiques that put on such incredible shows and for spoiling us with your beautiful gifts and generousity. 

Yours stylishly 

Kerrie x 

New Beginnings

Image c/o Ali Gordon

Its been a very wet and autumnal morning. Its Saturday and its the first time I have sat down to write a blog post in what feels like forever. I started my day by drinking a smoothie cuddling on the sofa with Harper which I haven't been able to do in I don't know how long. Recently life has become very hectic. Continuous readers of my blog will have noticed it has been very quite on here for some time now. So I think it is about time we sit down and have a little chat. Filling you all in on this whirlwind I have endured. 

Looking back over this past year there has been many changes in my life some challenging and some so incredible rewarding I sometimes have to pinch  myself  to realize that this is real life. The real preparation started during summer time where my blog  sat on the back burning. Of course it wasn't completely neglected just the actual writing part and then September came and this is when my life got turned upside down in the best way possible. 

My blog Bella and Vogue is almost two years old now and I could never imagine my life without it. Even as I write this I have the biggest smile on my face. It brings me such happiness. In ways you will never know. The more I work on my blog and the more I put into it has given me the most amazing opportunities some I thought I would only dream about. Some are still top secret and others you will find out about over the next few weeks as I will be returning to full time blogging as we speak. 

Which brings me onto my next life update. The first week of September brought an other stepping stone into my life. I moved away from home to one of my favourite cities in Ireland. That is of course Galway. Growing up I could never imagine myself living there. I always thought it was too close to home and that it wouldn't feel like I had really left. But as I have gotten older I just couldn't get enough of the cities charm and at Christmas its magical. The people are so friendly here and I have settled in really well. 

I have wanted to move to Galway for probably over a year now but the timing was never just right until this year when an opportunity arose that I just couldn't say no to. As most of you know I am a qualified Beauty and Complementary Therapist and have been working in the industry since I was 21. I have worked in numerous places and feel that I have gained as much as experience as I can working in salons/spas and been my own boss but what I really want to do is grow my career in both blogging and business. So I decided to step back and think about my options. 

This is probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make but thankfully so far so good it has really worked in my favor and has opened so many more doors for me. I toyed with the idea of returning to college to gain a degree in business for some time but wondered if it was the right option for me. In the end I decided to just go for it. I had nothing to lose and if I decided down the road it wasn't for me I could always defer the year and move on. I thought it was better to take the chance now than regret it in the future. I did a lot of research and applied for a number of business courses in Galway but the one that stood out to me the most was a Bachelor of Business in Market and Sales. I was in the middle of a press event talking to Courtney Smith when I spotted the email landing into my inbox offering me the course. I had the cheesiest grin on my face for the entire event and this proved to me how much I really wanted the course. I am now over a month in and I couldn't be happier. 

Its hard to get my head around how much my life has changed in such a short space of time but I am so excited to bring you all on this journey with me. I am so grateful for all of your support and thank you for staying around! 

Until next time...

Yours stylishly

Kerrie x 

  

Ted Baker Autumn Winter Collection

Image c/o Ted Baker (Pinterest)

Summer time in Ireland is always a bit hit and miss but this year more than ever, even though we didn't get the worse weather it just seems to have flown by. Now that we are in the last few days of August our priorities have severely changed from planning holidays and outfits to focusing on appropriate work wear and college attire. I for one love Autumn. I love knitted jumpers, hot chocolate beside the fire and watching the X Factor curled up in a cozy blanket. But my favourite part of all is Autumn fashion. 

As I was browsing online looking at the latest trends I of course had to check out Ted Baker's A/W collection. I have always been a fan of Ted Baker and my love for the brand grows more over time. As I was browsing I stumbled across the Ted Baker Botanical Trail Collection  exclusive to John Lewis. I thought the collection was beautiful and I love how floral's were brought into this autumn collection. It has that perfect autumnal vibe that we all want in out A/W wardrobe but adding floral's in deep navy and oxblood makes it the perfect collection for people like me who aren't quite ready to let go of summer. I always like to take inspiration from latest collections while staying true to my own sense of style and this is another reason why I love Ted Baker they always have the perfect blush, creams, whites and grey's in luxury knitwear which work very well in the winter wardrobe. 

Here are just a few of my favourites from the collection: 

As you can see no matter what season it is blush and cream always have a way of making it into my wardrobe. What are your favourite wardrobe staples for autumn winter? 

Yours Stylishly

Kerrie x 

Shop this post 

 Ted BakerAfina Funnel Wrap Neck Coat By House Of Fraser
Ted Baker Babri Tie Neck Top By Harrods
Ted Baker Karn Thistle Print Jumper By John Lewis
Ted Baker Alexxa Bow Detail Medium Tote Similar By Ted Baker
Ted Baker Leysas Boucle A-Line Skirt By House Of Fraser
Ted Baker Sorelit Tailored Trousers Similar By Ted Baker   

     

#KindBloggerBoss Breakfast With Cocoa Brown

On Thursday morning I along with some of Ireland's leading bloggers attended the #KindBloggerBoss Breakfast with Cocoa Brown in Penney's headquarters in Dublin city center. The breakfast was to celebrate the launch of the newest products of the Cocoa Brown beauty line - Cocoa Brown Kind Shampoo & Conditioner .  As with all new Cocoa Brown products there is always a lot of excitement before the big reveal and this time it was no different.

From reading my blog you will already know that I have loved Cocoa Brown from day one and Marissa Carter has been the biggest inspiration for me. As those of you who work in the beauty industry will know that it is a very competitive industry and can be very tough at times but seeing people like Marissa Carter build such a high quality brand from the ground up is incredible and such motivation for me. She really is a girl boss and a kind one at that. Not forgetting her wonderful team Stephanie and Kate who were also at the event. These girls are so hard working and from speaking to them and following them on social media you can tell that they genuinely love the brand.

Throughout the breakfast we chatted about all things beauty, business and blogging related which I really enjoyed. I love meeting people working in the same industry as me who are so successful in what they do. It is such a breath of fresh air to meet people who are so passionate about their own careers, who are so positive and believe that anything is possible. We took loads of selfies and had lots of giggles before we sadly had to say goodbye to the beautiful interiors of Penney's headquarters. 

Make sure to keep an eye on my blog over the next few weeks as I will be sharing all of  my thoughts about the Cocoa Brown Kind Shampoo & Conditioner. 

Yours Stylishly 

Kerrie x 

  

How To Style The Biker Jacket

Image c/o Pinterest

The 'Biker Jacket' has always been a classic for both men and women and for this autumn/winter the trend is just as popular. Although styles do change throughout the seasons the basics are always the same. When I was younger I never considered myself cool enough to own or wear a biker jacket. But what I have learnt that when buying into the latest trends it is still possible to hold on to your own sense of style. My instagram feed has been full of this look as of late which makes it really difficult to avoid this trend. The more I see it the more I love it and would consider this piece the perfect wardrobe staple for autumn/winter 2016.

The Biker Jacket 

The Biker Jacket itself can be the finishing touch to any outfit. Giving a simple outfit some edge, while also keeping the outfit classic with its structured tailoring and clean cut details. Channeling your inner Kate Moss or Kendal Jenner you will be ticking all of the most stylish boxes. 

The Pussy Bow

I for one love the pussy bow trend and was delighted when I saw that it was coming back with a bang this autumn/winter. It is sophisticated and feminine but can look super cool styled with a black biker jacket. 

Super Skinny Jeans 

I love a good pair of well fitted super skinny jeans styled with any outfit but especially this pair as they help to elongate your legs, styled with a pussy bow blouse and a black biker jacket it is the perfect outfit for a shopping trip, coffee or cocktails with friends or even for date night. 

The Perfect Shoes 

Whether you are a flats or heels kind of girl this outfit will go perfectly with both. For day time my favourite shoe of choice would have to be the Valentino Rockstud Ballerina Flats and for night time the infamous Gianvito Rossi Plexi Pumps. Both pairs of these shoes remain firmly on my wish list. 

Saint Laurent Monogram Shoulder Bag 

Another luxury item on my wish list is the Saint Laurent Monogram Shoulder Bag. It is such a classic and will go with almost any outfit. It is also perfect for both day and night. 

Sunglasses

What outfit is complete without a pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses have been a must have accessory for me as of late not only for the sunny weather but to be worn as a hair band to keep my hair out of my face. I love this look. The Celine Shadow Sunglasses are the perfect choice in my opinion as they go with a number or outfits and with the black and tortoise shell colouring they are perfect for bringing outfits together.  

Have you bought you 'Biker Jacket' yet? If so how are you styling it? 

Yours Stylishly 

Kerrie x 

Shop This Post 

The Biker Jacket By Saint Laurent 
The Pussy Bow Blouse By Red Valentino
Super Skinny Jeans By Alexander Wang 
Valentino 'Rockstud' Ballerina #flats By Valentino
Gianvito Rossi Plexi Pumps By Gianvito Rossi
Saint Laurent Monogram Large Shoulder Bag By Saint Laurent
Celine Shadow Sunglasses By Celine 

All pieces listed in this post are available from Farfetch

*This post is in collaboration with Farfetch but all opinions are my own. 

Best Dressed Lady At Halo

Galway Race Week gets bigger every single year and this year was no exception. From twitter, instagram, facebook and of course snap chat (username: kerrieanneburke) I was constantly updated on all the action. Galway really does know how to hold a celebration. Unfortunately I was very busy with work that week but the one event that I was able to attend made up for all that I was missing. 

I was kindly invited as a VIP blogger to Halo which is a nightclub located in Galway's city center right in the middle of all of the excitement. The event I was invited to was called 'Dress To Impress'. It was the night of Ladies Day at the races so it really gave the day something a little extra. Our invitation stated that we were to arrive to the event at 9:30 but a bunch of the blogger girls and guys decided to meet up for cocktails and a catch up before the event began. 

We decided to meet in the Bite Club which is another cool venue just a few doors away from Halo so it was the perfect location. The Bite Club is really cool and has an American style diner vibe. We stayed there for a little while catching up and sipping on slushies before it was time for the main event.    

On arrival to Halo we were greeted by our hostess who then brought us to Halo's VIP Area. We were then served glasses of prosecco and treated like royalty for the entire night. The staff are always so friendly. The event kicked off with our blogger friend Laura Fox and special quest Roz Purcell judging the 'Best Dressed Lady'. Our excitement grew when Ruth from The Beauty Kemple got chosen as a deserving finalist. 

Yours Stylishly 

Kerrie x 

Shop this post 

Head Piece Similar ASOS

Coat Similar Farfetch

Dress By Boohoo

Sandals By River Island  

*This post is in collaboration with Halo and Into The West Blogger Network but all opinions are my own. 

My Post Workout Pamper Ritual

After my workout in the gym or after a run there is nothing I love more then having a really luxurious relaxing pamper ritual. I think of this as my treat and a little motivation to what I can enjoy once my workout is complete. Not only is a workout strenuous on your muscles but it is also very tough on your skin. This is why I like to take full advantage and make the most out of each and every pamper ritual. Not only is this excellent for your skin it is just as good for your mind as it helps to relax and calm the mind preparing it for the perfect nights sleep so that you can awake fresh and renewed. This is also the time where I get to rummage through my beauty draws and try out new products for that ultimate pamper ritual 

Ritual

Step 1 As soon as I finish my workout I ensure to drink one large glass of water, no matter how much I have drank that day as water loss increases during exercise. So I make sure that I am always hydrated. 

Step 2 I then brush my teeth and prepare for a mini facial.

Step 3 I begin my facial by using Bioderma Sensibio H20 Cleanser  to remove the top layer of my make up if wearing any and to help cool my face down.

Step 4 I then go in with my favourite cleanser of the moment Moringa Cleansing Balm By Emma Hardie. I can't even tell you how amazing this smells. 

Step 5 I tone my skin using Instant Boost Skin Tonic By Liz Earle  

Step 6 I  exfoliate my skin using Gentle Face Exfoliator By Liz Earle

Step 7 At the moment I am using my Moringa Cleansing Balm By Emma Hardie as a mask as well as I soak in the bath.

Step 8 If I haven't applied a hair mask before hitting the gym I will do so now and then get into the bath.

Step 9 I exfoliate my skin and shave my legs using my favourite products all of which can found on my blog along with my guide to silky smooth legs.  

Step 10 I then wash my hair using shampoo and conditioner. Ensuring to remove all traces of the mask. 

Step 11 Once I am out of the bath and have completely dried myself. I get into the most important part of my post workout routine.The Body Shop created a 'Spa Fit' range which claims to firm, tighten and slim your silhouette while also improving the condition of the skin. That is of course if you are working out religiously as well as using the products. The product contains citrus oils such as orange, lemon and lime. I apply these products to my arms, tummy, bum and thighs. Once applied the gel becomes cold and tingles slightly which is a good indication that it is working. 

Step 12 Once the Spa Fit range has soaked in I like to apply Nourishing Botanical Body Cream By Liz Earle. This smells amazing. It contains a luxurious blend of essential oils including rose, geranium and sweet orange. I  apply this all over my body and let it soak in.

Step 13 Next up is nails I paint my nails with my favourite shade of baby pink and then apply Orange Flower Hand Repair to my hands once my nails are try. 

Step 14 Now on to my favourite step of my post workout ritual. I recently received a lovely gift from none other than Fleur De Sante which included their Global Day & Night Cream and Pro Aqua Essence 3D Skin Hydrating Serum. I apply both of these and my skin feels amazing and so wonderfully hydrated thanks to the serum. I wake up glowing every morning thanks to this simple step. 

Step 15 I complete my ritual with a cup of Chamomile tea, while cuddling Harper and reading The Body Book By Cameron Diaz . 

What do you do for your post workout ritual? 

Yours Stylishly 

Kerrie x  

   

Visit | Nox Hotel Galway

My home for the night was pretty amazing. I spent one night in one of Galway's newest and most trendiest hotel's The Nox Hotel . I stayed in a twin room with my friend who is also a fashion blogger, Shona from Sho Style. To say we were excited about the entire collaboration was an understatement. During the summer we had both attended a really cool event in the hotel so we had already experienced a piece of what the hotel had to offer but nothing in this world would have prepared us for what we were about to find out. 

From the moment I arrived to the hotel on Thursday evening there was such a buzz and happy atmosphere. It was the night before the announcement of who would be the European Capital Of Culture so there was such excitement throughout the city. The lobby of the hotel has such a relaxing vibe and is a great place to meet friends for coffee or cocktails. It is open plan, spacious and airy. The seating areas are also organised really well, no matter how busy the hotel gets you wont feel like you are squashed into one little area or in anyone's way. There is also a beautiful seating area outside, the perfect location for a sunny day. 

We didn't realize just how big the hotel was until we made our way to our room. We were on the fourth floor, which again was spacious and airy. The hallways have dark grey decor but are lit with spotlights which gives a really glamorous feel. On arrival to our rooms we were greeted with a welcome pack which included a bottle of processo, a refreshing fruit salad, luxury chocolates and my favourite brand of water Fior Uisce. All of which we really appreciated. 

Our first impression of the room was just how clean it was. There was not one thing out of place and not a speck of dust to be found. The entire hotel was also extremely clean and smelt so fresh. Our room was spacious and modern. There was a double bed and a single bed both dreamy, crisp and white, we just sank right into them. I can honestly say the comfiest hotel bed I have ever slept in. The room had a large window so it was lovely and bright, there was a wide screen TV on the wall, a vanity area to do your make up or to catch up on some emails, plenty of storage space and of course a full length selfie mirror. 

The bathroom was clean and chic. Filled with clean fluffy towels, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner. The shower was amazing. It was easy to use, set to the perfect temperature and had plenty of power. That evening we were feeling rather hungry so we decided to sample some bar food. The staff were extremely busy but still went out of there way to be kind and get us what ever we desired. I decided to have Caesar Salad. Which was so nice, probably one of the best I have had from a hotel. 

The next morning we arose feeling extremely relaxed and refreshed. We both agreed that it was the best nights sleep we had in a long time. The hotel prides themselves as specializing in superior beds with cozy duvets. After we finished getting ready we went downstairs to the restaurant. It was a buffet breakfast which consisted of fresh orange juice, infused water, herbal teas, tea, coffee, full Irish breakfast, croissants and pancakes. I choose pancakes of course which were made with the hotels very own pancake machine. 

Check out was at noon. So after we sadly packed our belongs we made our way downstairs to the hotel lobby. We spent an hour or so chatting and exploring the hotel before going for lunch in the hotel restaurant. Again there was so much choice on the lunch menu. I decided to try the Club Sandwich which consisted of grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise served on ciabatta bread with a side portion of chips and salad. It was delicious. We were then served Blueberry Mocktails which were so nice and very refreshing. We then went on to have dessert. We both decided on cheese cake. I opted for strawberry while Shona opted for lemon.

It was just before this that the announcement had been made that Galway was now Europe's Capital Of Culture. You can just imagine the excitement. Everyone was so excited and filled with joy. The chef was also thrilled with the results and decorated our cheesecakes by writing Galway 2020 in Nutella. The cheese cakes were light as air and so refreshing for after a meal. 

The staff at The Nox Hotel were amazing, friendly, kind, helpful and willing to go out of their way to make sure you enjoyed every minute of your stay. A huge Thank You must be given to the amazing team for providing us with such a pleasant experience. I will definitely be visiting again soon. 

To book yourself  in to this stunning hotel or for more information visit www.noxhotelgalway.ie 

Yours stylishly 

Kerrie x     

  

*This post is in collaboration with The Nox Hotel but all opinions are my own. 

Styling The Satin Bomber Jacket

The most sort after piece of this season was of course the satin bomber jacket. It was an item I had my eye on for quite a while but was uncertain to how well it would fair out in my extremely girly wardrobe. Kylie Jenner could pull it off so effortlessly. Looking super cool and really working that sport luxe trend. I loved the idea of this jacket the perfect item for the transitioning seasons and something to throw on as the evenings became chillier. 

But I still wasn't fully convinced until I saw Olivia Palermo rocking the tend with her signature classic but feminine style. I decided to take the plunge and invest.

Staying true to your own sense of style is so important when trying to build that perfect wardrobe. It is so easy to be taken in by the trends that are here and now without knowing if you really love it. When I started to search for my bomber the khaki ones were poping up everywhere.  As beautiful as they are I do think that they are a bit to 'Kylie Jenner' for me so I decided to look back at my colour palette and for anyone who knows me will know that it's cream and blush. 

It was love at first sight when I came across this one. I was suddenly filled with so much outfit inspiration I couldn't leave it behind. The satin is so soft with a beautiful sheen that gives it such a feminine vibe and feels so luxurious to wear. To say I am happy with my purchase it an understatement, as I want to wear it every day and it makes me so happy to look at it. 

How do you style your bomber jacket? If you have any suggestions I would love if you could comment below. 

Yours Stylishly 

Kerrie x 

Shop this post 

Satin Bomber Jacket By New Look

Personalized Necklace By New Look (Similar)

Statement T-Shirt By River Island (Similar)

White Distressed Jeans By River Island (Similar)

Superstars By Adidas