Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the first Shirt of the Month for 2012.  While most of us spend the month of January detoxing our livers, going to spinning classes and general purging our lives of all things enjoyable others such as my good friend Paddy Mulcahy are living it up in Argentina.  Ever the busy bee Paddy has started up an Irish/punk music project called “Los Paddys de las Pampas” which translated means The Paddys of the Pampas, Pampas being the grass that grows in Argentina.  I’ve got some great snap shots of young Paddy jamming on a rooftop in Buenos Aires with his bass player which made me extremely depressed sitting in Cork looking out at the lashing rain, I mean look at him sitting outdoors in January in bare feet….sickening I’m sure you’ll agree.

Anyway enough of my jealous ranting.  This months shirt comes from The Edge, a lovely shop in Limericks Milk Market.  I chose this shirt before Christmas in preparation for Paddy’s South American tour.  Its a really great vintage shirt from the 70′s and the flower pattern is perfect for those hot Argentinian nights spent rolling around in the pampas!

                                                        Paddy and his bass player, I believe the two of them are perfecting the Argentine Tango during the tour.

                                                                                     Pensive (smug) on a Buenos Aires rooftop note the barefeet and breezy carefree shirt.

                                  My Argentinian counter part!?  This could also be viewed as photographic evidence of Paddy cheating on me with another stylist.

                                                                                    Jazzy shirts lads!!  Look at my fledgling flying the nest and choosing his own shirt.

This shot was taken at the Mercado Americano which is a second hand market ran every Sunday by the local church.  Looks like you could definitely pick up some retro treasures there.  Next month Paddy will still be in South America and hopefully I’ll have more info on “Los Paddys de las Pampas” and we’ll also find out if Paddy’s tango is good enough to land him a place on Strictly Come Dancing.   Ciao for now!!

I had such a great day on Saturday picking the new Miss Opera Lane 2012 where I was joined by Emer from Lockdown Models and Sarah Mello and Clair O’Connor who will be judges in the final. 

There were loads of great girls who showed up on the day but I’m delighted to say we picked UCC student Zoe Murphy as our winner.  I was particularly impressed with Zoe’s own unique sense of style and friendly personality which really shone through on the day and I’m really looking forward to working with her on some exciting and upcoming Opera Lane events such as the Opera Lane fashion shows.

                                                                                                        The beautiful ladies who will be judging the final!!

                                                             Emer, Julie Evans from Opera Lane and myself,  feeling very pleased after a tough days judging.

                                                                              Introducing Miss Opera Lane 2012, Zoe Murphy looking fresh faced and stylish.  I’m loving the outfit!!

Well awards season is upon us once more which can only mean an overload of starlets in lace, taffeta and organza, it’s like a debs for celebs.  I’ve picked my favourites and even though I’m not one to criticise anyones personal style I just had to comment on a few that I found particularly unappealing.

Zooey Deschanel looks so pretty and non fussy in this custom made Prada number.  The contrasting peter pan collar is so on-trend and adds a little retro ’60′s touch to the dress.  I have one or two housemates who are in love with Zooey and it’s easy to see why, an enthusiastic two thumbs up to you Ms. Deschanel.

My Week with Marilyn star Michelle Williams looks adorable in her navy Jason Wu gown and her hair band adds an of the moment Daisy Buchannon touch.  What I love about this is that Michelle remains true to her personal style and doesn’t go for a big frou frou gown just because it’s for the red carpet.

Oh Tilda Swinton, I <3 you!!  Tilda looks like a glacial queen in Haider Ackermann, the colour is perfect, the cut is so flattering and she certainly rocks a lapel on the red carpet.  She also shows us how to work and alternative hair do on the red carpet.

Ans so to my least favourite…..

Lea Michele, Glee drama queen i’m afraid to say it looks like Mary Fitzgerald of Make and Do fame made your dress with a few feet of tin foil and a bit of Prit Stik.  This Marchesa gown does nothing for me. 

Now it pains me to say it as I have a major girl crush on Natalie Portman but I just don’t like her pink Lanvin number.  I’m not a fan of bustier style dresses anyway but the deep side pleat leaves me cold.  It’s like a bizarre pink satin growth out the side of a normally super petite Natalie.

Victoria Beckham, Balmain and Karl Lagerfeld are labels most of us can only dream of owning however with less and less of us leading the fairy tale lifestyle that comes with owning pieces from their collections designers are seeing the benefits of launching more affordable second lines. 

Victoris Beckhams second line, Victoria by Victoria Beckham has a lower price point and a more casual less form fitting aesthetic than her main line but loses none of the quality.  I particularly love the quirky cat prints with Emily the Strange being quoted as inspiration, coupled with the pastel colour pallette and balloning hemlines all combine to give a youthful, carefree feel.

If Karl Lagerfeld floats your boat but you don’t fancy selling your house to get your hands on his collection then make sure you log onto Net-a-Porter on January 25th.  Karl has produced an affordable capsule collection which still keeps the essence of his design aesthetic, expect a collection heavy on metallics and structured crisp tailoring.  You can also sign up to Karls Kult and upload a picture of yourself that will be given the Karl treatment complete with glasses and ponytail.  Rumour has it the man himself will pick his favourite on the launch date. 

The rock chicks favourite label Balmain is also getting in on the more economical second collection action.  The new collection, Pierre Balmain loses none of it’s over the top appeal, with beautiful leather jackets being styled alongside zebra print and low slung, ankle grazing skinny jeans.  The jeans are already being dubbed the new IT jeans and are priced at around £200, perfect for strolling along the streets of Paris. 

 So whether you’re a Balmain rock chick, a Karl devotee or love the new more girlish look of Victoria by Victoria Beckham there’s an affordable slice of label heaven waiting for you.

What a delightful cross country jaunt I had for this months Shirt of the Month, well maybe not exactly cross country but I got to take in all the sights that Limerick and Clare had to offer.  While Paddy gets to jet off to Paris and America every month I felt it was time that I got to go on a little journey of my own and so last week I went to Limerick’s very lovely Milk Market to pick another vintage shirt for the man himself.  First stop….The Edge where I picked a rather fetching shiny paisley number with a 1970′s feel.  I also felt I deserved a treat and bought an 80′s Wrangler denim jacket and an Alexis Colby-Carrington style power cardie from John the smashing owner of this fine establishment.    I would definitely recommend a visit here if you’re in Limerick and afterwards pop over to Maries cheese shop in the market where I got to sample some delightfully gooey cheese and sundried tomatoes.  Blissful!!  I’m pictured here modelling a really gorgeous green coat with fur collar which can be purchased at The Edge, I felt very Jean Shrimpton in this number I have to say. 

The journey did not end here folks, off I went to Ennis next on my whistle stop tour.  Man alive, what a brilliant time I had here meeting all sorts of friendly folk.  Off we went to Brogan’s where Eoin O’ Neill was hosting his regular session and where we were treated to some amazing music and dancing and where my lack of any musical ability made me very jealous.  I also got to see Paddy in action as film maker Firgus Tighe was filming the video for Paddys song, Lay There, Little Baby.  I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek and I can tell you the shirt is looking  mighty fine in the video which will be released on the 27th/28th.  I’ll be posting it as soon as I can so keep an eye out to see the paisley number in action. 

Next month see Paddy jetting off once again on a tour of South America….jammy!