In the mood for a bit of easy watching? These feel-good films will leave you even more chilled than you already are. So sit back and enjoy. 

• Begin Again is definitely one for the music lovers. Even if you have no ambitions of becoming the next Hozier, you will thoroughly enjoy this laid-back flick featuring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden and Adam Levine. Star-studded cast or what? With absolutely gorgeous songs throughout, Begin Again will bring out your inner musician/singer/songwriter or simply encourage you to appreciate the power of music. Make sure to download the soundtrack after watching! 

• The Way Way Back, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2013, introduces us to awkward teen, Duncan (Liam James) as he reluctantly leaves for a summer holiday to be spent with his mother (Toni Collette) and her overpowering boyfriend (Steve Carell). Duncan, who is crippled by shyness, befriends the owner of the local water park and that's when things start to look up. This extremely likeable film with its charming script is a great option for a bit of summer escapism.

• Next up is Love, Rosie, a recent film adaptation of Cecelia Ahern's novel Where Rainbows End. Yes, it's a rom com and yes, it's predictable but it's undeniably adorable and even hilarious at times. Lily Collins and Sam Claflin play Rosie and Alex, best friends since childhood who now, as adults, are constantly being separated through no fault of their own. The (very attractive) pair attempt to stay in touch despite being continents apart but of course, life gets in the way. This chick-flick won't require a degree in forensics to figure out what's going to happen in the end but if it's a giggle and a bit of romance you're after, give this one a chance. 

• For an Indie alternative, (500) Days of Summer is a refreshingly offbeat romantic comedy though it's really not your typical rom com. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are fantastic in their roles as Tom and Summer. I'd even go so far as saying the film is worth watching just to witness Gordon Levitt dance to Hall & Oates "You Make My Dreams Come True". It's priceless. Dancing aside, this is one of my favourite films, and definitely worth checking out if you haven't seen it already. Plus, the soundtrack is superb. 

•  What If is an incredibly sweet and upbeat flick. Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe) and Chantry (Zoe Kazan) meet at a party and click instantly. Can they just be friends? This is the question that the movie explores and though the concept is simple, Radcliffe and Kazan's performances bring this pleasant and entertaining story to life. Radcliffe undoubtedly succeeds in shaking off his Potter image and his numerous hilarious moments will have you laughing out loud. A feel-good film for sure. 

Doireann x

Berry Breakfast Smoothie

A quick back to school breakfast option is a deliciously healthy smoothie and I've been absolutely addicted to whipping them up in the mornings. Not only are they super simple to prepare but they taste amazing and what's not to love about something that's healthy and yummy? I've been experimenting with different amounts of fruit, juice and yoghurt as the possibilities are endless when it comes to making up your own ideal smoothie recipe so just grab some fruit and give it a go!

I have to say, I have been using different ingredients every single day so this recipe is just an example of one type of smoothie I made. Feel free to chop and change the fruit, maybe you would prefer to use banana instead of yoghurt to thicken your drink or perhaps you'd love to add an apple or a handful of grapes? It's entirely up to you. Today's smoothie couldn't be simpler though.

You will need:

• 5 strawberries
• 1 large blackberry
• 3 raspberries
• 10 blueberries
• 125g strawberry yoghurt
• 100ml orange juice

Put all of the ingredients into your blender/smoothie maker and blend away! Add a couple of ice cubes for a cool and refreshing smoothie if it is safe to add them to your blender. Once the fruit, juice and yoghurt are all blended together nicely, you should have a gorgeous looking (and tasting) smoothie ready to pour into a glass and drink. It couldn't possibly be any easier! 

Enjoy a great start to the day.

Doireann x

DIY Room Decor Ideas

Room decorating doesn't have to be difficult, time-consuming or costly, it can be a very enjoyable experience with a bit of creativity and inventiveness. Here are three very easy DIY Room Decor Ideas taken from my newly decorated bedroom:

1) Flower Holders

For these cute flower holders, simply paint some recycled jars and add brightly coloured flowers. It's a good idea to look around and see if you have any paint testers lying around the house before going out to buy paint specifically. I used two different testers I had from when I was deciding what colour to paint my walls so the jars now fit in with the colour scheme of the room. One coat of paint will suffice and all that's left to do after they have dried is to add some beautiful flowers. I used artificial ones that I bought very cheaply but of course you can use fresh flowers as long as you remember to look after them! 

2) Stationery Organiser 

To make this handy stationery organiser, you will need:

• 9 toilet rolls (start collecting them now!)
• Craft glue 
• Cardboard from an old cereal box
• Ribbon
• Paint (again, I used paint testers for this project)

First of all, cut out a 15 cm x 15 cm square from an old cereal box, this will be the base of the stationery organiser. Next, paint the grey side of the cardboard with one of your paints. After that, it's time to paint the toilet rolls with whatever colours you have chosen. I took three different paint testers and painted three toilet rolls with each one. Once all of the paint has fully dried, line the bottom circle of each toilet roll with craft glue and press each one firmly down on the cardboard square, making sure that the toilet rolls fit together snugly. Finally, wrap a pretty ribbon around the completed organiser and glue it in place. Add a cute little bow before filling up your new stationery organiser with pencils, pens and highlighters. Tah-dah!

3) Floral String Lights

I've always loved the idea of fairy lights in my room, they add such a warm atmosphere to any space. These battery operated floral string lights from Penneys are just gorgeous. You can get so many different variations of string/fairy lights online or in homeware stores and battery operated ones are, in my opinion, the best as you don't have to deal with long wires and plugs. I attached my floral lights with sellotape along the top and sides of my wardrobe, garland style. Simple. The soft glow they give off makes my room feel so cozy.

Doireann 

x

Elie Saab Couture Fall/Winter 2014-15

Paris Haute Couture week is always about the glitz and the glamour and once again, I fell in love with Elie Saab's magical creations. I wrote about Elie Saab at Spring Haute Couture week back in January and you can read that post here. Not surprisingly, I was enchanted all over again by the Fall/Winter 2014-15 pieces presented in Paris last week.

Light was obviously the main theme with the runway illuminated by sparkling chandeliers that changed in hue to complement the different evening gowns and cocktail dresses. From floor length creations showered with lustrous pearls to sparkling long-sleeved cocktail dresses and off-the-shoulder pieces adorned with shimmering stones, the collection radiated grace and elegance. I particularly liked the backless pieces and a v-neck, glistening black dress. Tones of cool blue, navy, pink, black, grey and white were featured with the final dress being an extravagant white bridal gown.

Elie Saab's show was an evening affair fit for a fairytale.

My picks from the Fall/Winter collection:

Source of images: http://www.wwd.com/runway/fall-couture-2014/review/elie-saab

Take a look at the full show below to really experience the magic of the Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014-15 Fashion Show:

http://youtu.be/5qRsDHx8NJc

Thanks for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed it!

Doireann 

x

This Month I...

Instead of my usual Monthly Favourites, I decided to switch things up a bit this month because it's all about variety, right? So here is a new kind of blog post summing up my month. I'm not sure if it will take over my Monthly Favourites or if I will keep both types of blog posts on the go perhaps every second month, but I'll see how it goes. It's a bit more personal than my normal beauty/fashion/music favourites posts so I hope you enjoy it!

This Month I...

Listened to Ed Sheeran's interesting new album "X" (or Multiply). I say interesting because, like his first single off the album, SING, I'm not quite sure what I think about it as a whole yet. A lot of Ed's new songs are completely different to his soft and lyrical numbers that made me fall in love with his previous album. However, I do feel that in "X", he has proven his songwriting diversity and branched out to even try his hand at rapping in "The Man". I have to admit though, I do prefer the tracks "Photograph" and "I'm A Mess" which bear more resemblance to the Ed we all know and love.

Watched the perfection that is The Fault In Our Stars. I waited for weeks on end with hungry anticipation for the day I could finally see the movie realization of John Green's heartbreaking novel. After all the hopeful waiting, a tiny part of me was worried that the movie wouldn't live up to my immense expectations. Boy, was I wrong. The Fault In Our Stars captured and then broke my heart. I will be posting a full review soon as I can't do this outstanding movie justice in the space of a few lines. In the mean time, if you haven't already, go and see it!

Read Paper Towns by John Green. I couldn't put this book down. It grabbed me from the very beginning with it's believable characters and distinct element of mystery that kept me guessing throughout. Another great piece of work from John Green. Check out his quirkily thought-provoking YouTube channel VlogBrothers as well, which he shares with his brother Hank.

Bought a very pretty little floral top from Penneys. This peplum-style, denim coloured top is adorably girly and sweet. I've worn it casually with skinny jeans and flats and I can see it looking lovely paired with high-waisted shorts and sandals. I'm looking forward to experimenting with different looks, both casual and dressy, using this gorgeous printed top. 

Wore summery clothes of course! Printed playsuits, high-waisted shorts and colourful tops to complement the equally sunny weather. In terms of makeup, I've been wearing the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum which is a lovely, lightweight foundation that's ideal for those summer days when you don't want to feel caked in heavy makeup. The first thing I noticed about this foundation is its delicious fruity fragrance. Yummy. The only thing is, I have oily skin so it seems to slip right off my nose in particular. Because it's quite a dewy foundation, I would recommend it to people with normal/dry skin. 

Ate way too many homemade icecream sundaes. To make your own refreshing sundae, put a few scoops of your favourite ice cream into a glass (I used a mason jar), fill with Sprite to see the fizziness commence and add a bit of food colouring to make it even more appetizing. Finish off with sprinkles and cut a slit in a strawberry to slide it onto the rim of your glass. Trust me, it tastes as delicious as it looks and this tempting ice cream sundae will keep you cool during hot summer days.

That's all for this month, I hope you are all enjoying the summer. Here's to another month of blogging! 

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram here and on Bloglovin here.

xxx

Top 5 Movies for a Cozy Night In

Feel like snuggling up on the couch, relaxing and watching a great movie? You've come to the right place then. Grab the popcorn and enjoy one, or all, of these great movies. 

Here are my top five picks for a cozy night in:

• Chocolat is an irresistible treat, even its name sounds delicious. If, like me, you have a love for all things French, you're going to love this. Juliette Binoche plays Vianne, a single mother who opens up a chocolate shop in a rural French village during lent. Add in Roux, a mysterious gypsy (played by Johnny Depp), a generous helping of incredibly mouthwatering chocolate as well as an enchanting soundtrack and you have the recipe for an alluring feast for the senses.

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of my favourite novels and the film adaptation featuring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller  feels just as real and heartfelt. Charlie (Lerman) is an outsider, awkward and lonely, trying to find his way in high school until Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller) come along and prove that true friends can make all the difference. With outstanding performances by the main characters and just enough depth, earnestness and sincerity, this is a truly great film. 

• When I heard that About  Time involved time travelling, it didn't exactly entice me to watch it. However, my doubts were soon forgotten once I sat down and enjoyed this delight of a movie emphasizing the importance of loved ones. Charming, witty and touching, About Time, starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams, will make you laugh, cry and long for more. Perfect for a cozy night in.

• Of course I had to include The Notebook, the remarkable love story of Noah and Allie (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams). I'm just warning you though, you will definitely need tissues for this passionate and very romantic tearjerker. A beautifully clever story that you will fall head over heels in love with, I don't think it needs too much explanation. If you haven't seen it yet, where have you been? 

• Finally, The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire, is worth watching even for the sole purpose of escaping into the glamorous era of the 1920's. The glittering costumes, extravagant parties hosted by the secretive Jay Gatsby (Dicaprio) and unexpected soundtrack  makes this an elusive and endearing movie. The storyline is, of course, top-notch as the movie is an adaptation of the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. While watching the movie, I couldn't help but notice how visually stunning every scene was. Well worth watching. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you have any other movie suggestions for a cozy night in, let me know in the comments below. Until next time,

Doireann

xxx

Summer Wishlist

Time for another wishlist!

I've got that summertime, summertime sadness... Well not really, just a bit of summertime longing for these gorgeous items. I spotted  the Barry M Matte Nail Paint and a few other of these gems on a recent shopping trip, while I came across the floral bralet when browsing on Missguided. Of course, I also discover new products/clothing while reading through my favourite blogs or scrolling down my Instagram feed so it's very easy to be tempted into purchasing lots of new, bright and shiny looking "necessities" without even visiting the shops! 

However, despite my shopaholic tendencies, I've abbreviated my actual wishlist to the six gorgeous items below:

PhotoCredits:
missguided.eu // barrym.com // eyeslipsface.com // newlook.com //revlon.com // topshop.com

Collage created by me with the help of PicMonkey. 

1) Tala Crossover Back Bralet in Floral Print 

Ah, Missguided.You had me at the floral print. With its delicate, white, string straps and stunning floral design, this bralet would go beautifully with a high waisted skirt or even the Joni jeans (number 6 on this list) from Topshop! It is so girly and perfect for the summer weather.

2) Barry M Matte Nail Paint 

I am a big fan of Barry M nail products and I have yet to find a budget nail polish comparable to their Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint. It comes as no surprise then that I am very, very excited to try out the Matte Nail Paint particularly in the pictured shade, Miami, a fun, pink colour. Matte nails is a trend I have wanted to try out for a long time so this nail polish is top of my list.

3) ELF Shimmering Facial Whip

I can't justify paying around €30 for Benefit's famous High Beam although I have been searching for a good highlighter. On my pursuit for a less pricey alternative, I couldn't believe my eyes while reading rave reviews about ELF's equally praised, luminous highlighter, Shimmering Facial Whip. Coming in five radiant shades, Lilac Petal appears to be the closest in hue to High Beam. The best part of all?  The Shimmering Facial Whip, available from ELF's American site will set you back just $1 (yes, only $1!) 

4) Stone Floral Print Contrast Trim Backpack

This adorable little backpack from New Look caught my eye the other day with its charming pattern and practical design. It boasts multiple pockets and a drawstring section on top of a cute, vintage look. This would be perfect to carry those beach essentials. 

5) Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm

Another matte option here. Revlon never fail to disappoint with their wide collection of super soft, really, really good lip products. When I tested one of these ColorBurst Matte Balms on the back of my hand at Boots, I couldn't get over how pigmented it was. I literally brushed the balm (I think the shade was Audacious) onto my skin lightly but the colour payoff was amazing! These balms seem to be very creamy in texture and even though they aren't cheap, from what I saw, I definitely would consider purchasing one. 

6) MOTO Sky Blue Joni Jeans

Oooh they look so comfy don't they? I've been longing for a pair of light blue skinnies and this high waisted pair of Joni jeans from Topshop fit the bill perfectly. Because they're high waisted, pairing them with either crop tops or regular tees isn't a problem and the stretchy, denim material looks very snug and cozy. Hopefully a soon-to-be resident in my denim-lacking wardrobe.