Wish List Wednesday

Wish List 1 by rionadoherty featuring a slip dress
1) Boucle Blazer - ASOS
2) Floral Pinafore - Topshop
3) Chanel case - Etsy
4) Petite Hexagon Strappy Dress - Topshop
5) Glass Teapot - notonthehighstreet.com
6) Cameo Charm Bracelet - ASOS
7) Hi Top Floral Converse - Schuh
8) Poem Platforms - ASOS
9) Neon Yellow Transparent Clutch - Bershka
10) Nude Sling Backs - Topshop

Looking at the A/W'13 collections we first saw a few months ago, and particularly looking at Anna Sui, it's fair to say preppiness is making a comeback. Think Blair Waldorf with a bit of a bohemian twist. The ASOS boucle textured blazer featured above could very easily fit into the Anna Sui collection -

- with a fraction of the price. If you're looking to be on trend this Autumn (or are still mourning the end of Gossip Girl... *despairing emoji*) this is a great place to start.

2) Festival wise this summer, the way forward seems to be an ensemble of clothes we used to wear as children. The recent 90s revival has seen scrunchies (to quote Blair Waldorf, I have never owned a scrunchie), jelly shoes, crop tops, dungarees and pinafores worm their way back into our wardrobes, though I for one am avoiding the jelly shoe craze. I love the print on this pinafore and would pair it with a plain white rolled-sleeve t-shirt with DMs at a festival.

3) An iPhone case with a Chanel nail polish design, with a choice of around a hundred nail colours. There is nothing not to love here. Especially for £5.90.

4) Yep, you guessed it - THIS IS REALLY 20S AND I LIKE THAT. I love the back especially.

5) Firstly, a glass teapot is an incredible idea. Secondly, the idea of blossoming tea just about blows my mind. And obviously this is best experienced in a glass teapot, so get your blossoming tea from House Of Blossoms (more reasonable prices than anywhere else I've seen) and throw a tea party with a twist. Bound to impress.

6) Whether it's real gold or not, Rose Gold is most definitely having a moment. For £6.50 this is most definitely not real, but Rose Gold + Cameo = chic. 

7) The fresh colours on these floral Converse just scream summer. I need.

8+10) Block platform heels are everywhere at the moment and I think they look especially good in nude. Now, they are real leather, but I do think £85 is a little pricey for the nude sling backs... If you're not bothered about real leather, there are several identical pairs on eBay (which were on eBay way before Topshop were selling them, and also retail on Missguided for £35ish) for a little as £27.92! I certainly can't tell the difference...

Just search for 'nude block platforms'

9) Similar to the current 'trend' of doing an Anna Wintour and carrying no bag at all (iPhone 5 and credit card are the chicest of essentials, carried by hand of course), we also now put our possessions on show to the world. Transparent bags are a pretty stupid idea, but I love them too much to care. With the Bershka bargain above you can choose between transparent neon yellow or neon pink. It's very similar to one The Londoner donned a while back, except hers was an iPad case and a little more expensive. A big selling point of this clutch - IT'S £10.

Are you lusting after any of the above?

Bises,

Riona

A Facebook Plea

I know you're all waiting with baited breath to hear my thoughts on Gatsby, but I want to take time to write a proper post on it and, as my life currently consists almost exclusively of college, work and college work, I just won't have the time for a few days - but on the whole I definitely enjoyed the film.

I've noticed quite a lot of people are reading my blog lately but not following - if you're on Google+, please follow! If not, I installed a little gadget on the sidebar the other day which allows you to follow by email! Just enter your email address and you'll receive an email every time I write a post.

Alternatively, if you've enjoyed reading my blog, I'd really appreciate it if you could like my Facebook page! I often post photos and links on there:

https://m.facebook.com/#!/ImGoingToBeLate?__user=535792400

Thanking you. Here's a bit of my life over the last month:

1) First legal bottle of champagne! 2) the sunset through a phone box yesterday.

3) Sweep had a haircut the poor soul. 4) Seeing Gatsby eeek. 5) Travelling planning going extremely well... Slightly worrying that two friends and I are being left to backpack in foreign countries for 2 weeks... 6) My cocktail of choice, mojitos. 7) The best iced tea you will ever taste. Recipe coming soon. 8) Erm, in the garden? 9) A summer haul, also coming soon.

Bises,

Riona

P.S. The observant among you have probably realised I've also decided to change the font I use. Ooooo.

5 Things to Do This Weekend

As it looks to be another rainy weekend, here are a few ideas, whether they're during a revision break or you're just bored and longing for this supposed summer to finally reach us...

1) See The Great Gatsby | The decadent Roaring 20s era has taken the world by storm recently as Baz Luhrmann's highly anticipated remake of the classic American 20s novel, often cited as one of the best books ever written, is released in the UK today, after the initial Christmas release date was pushed back until now. I've watched the trailer (I wrote a post on it a while ago here if you still haven't seen it) about 30 times and I still get goosebumps every time I watch it. It's sure to be 2 hours of Prada flapper dresses, an AMAZING soundtrack and of course Leo DiCaprio. An unmissable combination. If the film leaves you with even worse 20s fever, head down to Harrod's this weekend, where you'll currently find a pop up Great Gatsby cocktail bar in the store's underground tasting room and wine shop. It closes on the 20th so hurry up! (Although if Harrod's is out of the question you could always whip up a few mint juleps, side cars or if gin is your thing, maybe some martinis - all quintessentially 20s beverages.)

2) Finalise Summer Plans | If you haven't already, get booking! I finally got my travelling stuff sorted out the other week and I've never been so excited - Budapest, Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam within 13 days (the photo featured is of the Saturday night summer bath parties in Budapest. Eeeek). So whether you're planning to head off on a boozy break, a festival or two or a culturally enriching (aha) backpacking excursion, get it sorted and it'll give you some motivation through all the rain and revision.

3) Watch an Audrey Hepburn film | Whenever it's raining, all I want to do is stay in bed with my Audrey Hepburn boxset, often replaying the final "CAT!" scene in Breakfast At Tiffany's with that famous kiss in the rain featuring the beautiful George Peppard.

4) Sort Out Your Summer Wardrobe | Again, when you're bogged down with mind maps and Post-It notes, it helps to keep summer in mind. I love this boho Fringed Coachella Beach Kimono from River Island and will definitely be donning it on a few beaches this summer. I usually look to a few celebrities whose style I admire for summer style inspiration, which is currently Blake Lively (or ANY of the clothes she wears as Serena in Gossip Girl) and Gillian Zinser. I love how laid back their style is, but also polished when need be.

5) Get a Free Graze Box On Me | I got my first Graze box this week and it has changed my life. You can rate hundreds of snacks online between 'Bin, Try It, Like, Love, Send Soon' and they'll send you a selection of the stuff they think you'd like. I received summer berry flapjacks, oatcakes with red onion marmalade, a white chocolate, Amaretti biscuit and coconut mixture and their 'Billionaire's Shortbread', containing milk chocolate, fudge pieces, almonds and cranberries. Now thanks to me, if you quote 'TJRRKJTD' on www.graze.com, you'll receive your first box for free! I'd definitely recommend them, they're perfect for coming home early from college to and their food is supposed to be pretty good for you. If you're into that.

Bon week-end!

Bises,

Riona

Teen Vogue Comes to the UK

...in a much smaller version with slightly more affordable content. Yes, meet Vogue's new supplement for teens - Miss Vogue.

I am incredibly late to the party on this one but unfortunately with exams going on, blogging has had to take a backseat.

I can see the need for Miss Vogue. Though a lot of teenagers buy Vogue, it does seem to carry a bit of a 'middle-to-upper class 30 something' stigma, mainly due to the prices and brands of the products featured and the demure topics of the articles. Miss Vogue is something fresh, that touches not only upon 'affordable' fashion (though still not quite my idea of affordable - featured is a £130 copper geometry set and brands that go up to around £400) but on topics relevant to teenagers written by teenagers, such as image, drugs, social media, exams and sex.

It is very similar to Teen Vogue (though I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing as Teen Vogue boasts Nicki Minaj as its current cover girl) - for example the 'My Space' feature on the bedrooms of various artists/models/directors' daughters is reminiscent of Teen Vogue's dorm features, and the same goes with the 'I Dated A Rockstar' story which, personally, I found more Bliss magazine than Vogue. However, I absolutely loved the wanderlust-fulfilling 'Saturday Night Around The World' feature and all the fashion stuff is just what you would expect from Vogue's little sister - on trend and more than appealing to the target audience.

It appears Vogue are testing the water to see just how successful the new venture is, but it's been hinted that there probably won't be a monthly edition, with Alexandra Shulman stating "We might well sell it twice a year, say, with the main magazine." Personally I think Miss Vogue could easily stand alone on the market; the potential is huge - Vogue.co.uk are already publishing Miss Vogue posts. This could lead to its own website, more involvement with teen bloggers, an iPhone app, Miss Vogue events, maybe a campus magazine like Cosmo On Campus...

What did you think of the magazine? Think it should stick around?

Bises,

Riona

Party At Gatsby's

Party At Gatsby's by rionadoherty featuring frock and frill

Grab your pearls, old kitten heels, fringed dresses and ostentatious Primark junk jewellery - the Roaring 20s are definitely having a moment. Just look to Gucci's S/S'12 1920s inspired dresses, the prohibition parties on Made In Chelsea, Baz Luhrmann's upcoming The Great Gatsby, Kate Spade's The Great Gatsby book clutch and latest of all, Frock and Frill's stunning new flapper dresses...

The above designs can all be purchased through ASOS here (but they're selling out quickly) and you can peruse the entire collection through the Frock and Frill site here.

Gucci Spring 2012

It feels like we've been waiting forever and a day for Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby to be released, after having been delayed from Christmas to Spring, but we're finally nearing the 16th May. To whet your appetite, have a look at the current edition of US Vogue, devoted to the upcoming blockbuster.

Carey Mulligan (playing Daisy Buchanan) dons A/W'13 Oscar de la Renta and an annoying facial expression on US Vogue cover.

Down under, Karlie Kloss is kitted out in flapper-esque Miu Miu in honour of the film (clearly relevant cover stars are running low on the ground...)

The film doesn't seem to get much of a reaction in the current edition of British Vogue but hopefully it will be heavily featured in the June edition... Tip: if you want to read The Great Gatsby, be sure to buy it before the film comes out and it inevitably gets replaced with an ugly 'now a major motion picture' cover.

Bises,

Riona

Calling All Fans Of Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats

To quote Bridget Jones in a more polite way, why is it that when one aspect of life is going brilliantly, another starts falling apart? I exaggerate (my parents aren't getting divorced whilst I have an affair with my lothario of a boss) but whilst I'm on a roll with the blogging recently, my college work is falling behind rapidly.

However, I'm currently escaping from my Sixth Form woes by losing myself in an achingly pretty Charlotte Olympia-sized fairytale. The A/W collection for this year hasn't actually been released yet but one of my favourite blogs Coco's Tea Party got to see a preview and I feel the need to share it with everyone:

http://cocosteaparty.com/2013/04/charlotte-olympia-fall-2013.html

This is the only link I can actually find to view them. Based on "children's fables", it's a bit like Disney World gone high fashion. I love the frog embellished slippers and the 'book spine' heels.

Which are your favourites?

Bises,

Riona

Dior Exhibition at Harrods: French Savoir Faire and British Charm

Sah chic.

I am little slow off the mark on this one. The highly anticipated exhibition, said to be a cross between "French Savoir Faire and British Charm", opened its doors to the public in possibly the most famous department store in the world on March 16th, but due to life I only got down there a few days ago.

Expectations are bound to be high when one of the most prestigious department stores in the world teams up with an eponymous French fashion house and expectations were met. After leisurely waltzing up to the fourth floor of Harrods, you're greeted with a wall embellished with an intricate dolls house-type design, with silhouette figures and mini Dior perfumes in the window.

A better photo from http://luxworldwide.com/magazine/fashion/dior-at-harrods-a-savoir-faire-takeover/

Inside, there's what can only be described as a shrine to their cult perfume J'adore, with hundreds of bottles neatly placed on a platform surrounding the stunning number Charlize Theron dons in the J'adore advert.

Revolving mini-mannequins bring Dior's classic designs to life

A stunning little number worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 60s

Video clips of stars wearing the featured dresses on the red carpet are projected over the dresses

Window displays

There is still way more to see and do than the things I've taken photos of, such as the in-house Dior Café serving Christian Dior's favourite dishes, from lobster club sandwiches to adorable Dior cupcakes. Admission is FREE and it's definitely worth it so get down there before it ends this Sunday (the 14th).

Bises,

Riona

Coachella

I can safely say I've never wished to be somewhere more than Coachella this weekend - the Stone Roses and Blur headlining is pretty much my dream line-up. With the first weekend of Coachella kicking off, a festival more about the clothes worn than the music played, there is no better time to get in the festival mood so I did a little Polyvore set...

Coachella by rionadoherty featuring flower jewelry
You can click on the link to see where everything's from.

(note: this was made with sunny California in mind, obviously if it were an English festival, sandals would most definitely be replaced with wellies).

Dungarees are definitely having a moment and will be my staple this summer. You can't go wrong with the ones featured above from Topshop but there are a load going cheap on eBay, even a kid's size might fit.

I LOVE fringing, as do most people at festivals, and in case you don't want to fork out on you can always do it yourself.

The kimono came from Jessa from Girls (yes, I am obsessed) and is perfect for flouncing around in the sun.

The paper eyelashes featured probably look absolutely ridiculous on but remind me of 60s makeup, and if you can't channel your inner hippie at a festival, when can you?

Basically, I wish I was there.

Bises,

Riona

Meat Liquor

Meat Liquor. 74 Welbeck Street, just off Oxford Street.

I've been saying for a while (especially after constantly drooling over The Londoner's restaurant recommendations) that I want to go to a proper burger bar in London, and after Meat Liquor was recommended to me (and having perused the Instagram #MeatLiquor hashtag... Do it) I couldn't resist a visit to the shady burger joint a few weeks ago.

The decor of Meat Liquor itself deserves an entire article. Graffiti, bears and wolves, cartooned women bearing all with captions such as 'I do not live in the world of sobriety' - this place reeks of debauchery the second you step in. The only light you get is from the two neon red 'Liquor' signs from outside in the windows and some very dim lights inside - it's dark. There's a huge round table under the dome in the ceiling - for dancing upon, apparently - and loads of smaller tables around the outside.

(yes I was shameless with my photo taking)

You give your name to the host and head to the bar whilst waiting for your table - I should probably mention now that this place doesn't take bookings, you just turn up and wait. Their policy is 'No Meat, No Liquor' - so don't expect to waltz in just for the cocktails. Oh the cocktails.

(Click to enlarge)

Clearly the difficulty of the decision shone through my face as the barman interrupted my browsing with "It's a drink, not an exam paper!" and then began quizzing me on my favourite spirits to help me decide - along with some free shots of said spirits. After much debate I played it safe with the Henrietta Fizz and ordered a Malibu and Coke for my friend, much to the amusement of the barman. "Pffft, we don't sell Malibu" before instead pouring a 'Koko Kanu' and Coke - a 'real' coconut rum, nearly double the strength of Malibu. Also double the price. This speaks volumes - they don't do Meat or Liquor by half measures.

Anyway, the main point - MEAT. If the drinks list wasn't difficult enough, the menu certainly spoils you. I literally want to try everything on this menu. I'd read a couple of rave reviews online about the Dead Hippie burger being one of the best in London so I ended up going for that with a huge portion of cheesy onion fries to share (NOT chips).

(Click to enlarge)

The difference between the Dead Hippie and their other burgers is that it contains two beef patties rather than one, plus their signature 'Dead Hippie' house sauce, supposedly their own type of mayonnaise that enhances the flavour of the beef. And enhance it did. Grease has never tasted so good. It had a bit of a limp appearance, unlike some of the other HUGE burgers I saw being carried out, like the Dirty Chicken Burger, but still it was delicious so I'm not complaining too much. The fries were also beautifully greasy and cheesy, but next time I think I'll be a bit more adventurous and try the Phili Cheese Fries and maybe the Buffalo Chicken Burger (anything with a blue cheese dressing wins me over completely).

Nope, no plates or napkins here. Food is presented on a tray with cutlery and there's simply a roll of kitchen roll at your table with ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. No frills.

After the meal we wandered back to the bar for a few more drinks where I tried the vodka and absinthe Donkey Punch, and Ellie the summery mango vodka/purée So Lairy. They're so hip the So Lairy comes in a jam jar.

As you can see they have an in-house photobooth! Unless you choose to take them home, they stick them up around the bar forever. A great idea after a few cocktails.

All in all, if you hadn't guessed from its celebrity following on Twitter, Meat Liquor is cool. It personifies 'cool'. The drinks are ingenious, the food is big, tasty, greasiness at its best, the decor has a sleazy 'after hours' feel, even the staff are all incredibly cool, though some leaning on pretentious... We got talking to the waiter for half an hour who casually admitted to working part time as a model and a musician, and also to seeing Foals play at a house party once whilst being 'sah wired'.

If you like proper cocktails, A LOT of food, an old school Speakeasy-esque feel and an alternative dining experience, I cannot recommend this place enough.

If you're expecting napkins, plates, a refined atmosphere and, frankly, good service (the barmen were amazing, the waiters not so much) then it's probably not the place for you.

Bises,

Riona

P.S. I left my laptop unattended yesterday whilst writing this post and returned to see my younger brother had done a mock up of this post, trying to sound like me but actually just sounding like a very camp male... Feel free to have a read, I don't think it's supposed to make sense...

Ritzy's: The Best Speakeasy In Town

Once again I've been gone a while so - Happy Easter, RIP Margaret Thatcher and happy 18th birthday to me. After months of waiting to finally turn the desirable age, Friday saw me officially become an adult and what better way to celebrate than turning my house into a swanky speakeasy to celebrate the end of my own prohibition?

The entire first week of the Easter holidays was dedicated to transforming the house into the best (and, erm, only) damn speakeasy in town. I'd already sent out the invitations weeks beforehand, revealing the password and setting the 1920s tone, so then the decor just had to match up...

The eBay-found Gramaphone

The tin 'Gin Bath' (sourced through a a second hand site online) full of ice which brimmed fuller of alcohol as more people arrived

We collected about 40 empty wine bottles from the restaurant I work in, scrubbed the labels off and stuck our own on to evoke the Speakeasy feel. Most were crammed into the kitchen windowsill with candles stuck in - all of the light came from either candles or smaller side lights.

The cover up for the Speakeasy (featuring my cousin and her boyfriend)... Our washing machine happened to break a few weeks ago, so every cloud...

My lovely Nan and I in front of the sign my Dad made and the prohibition punch 'Shinin' Moon' next to it. (if you can't tell, Pinterest inspired a LOT of this party)

Flappers! Myself, Ellie, Amy and Rhiannon (note the candle-wielding wine bottles in the windowsill)

Motherrrrrr

We also did a load of 'Wanted' posters of the guests coming - possibly a bit Western, but y'know, Al Capone and all that. All in all an amazing night if I do say so myself, unfortunately I played the classic 18 year old a bit too well and can't remember most of the night. But from the photos I must say it looks good. It went on til 4am (not that I would know as I was carried to bed far earlier on) and everyone left seeming to wish it was still the 20s.

If you're thinking of having a similar themed do, you can get some great decorations/inspiration here: http://www.partydelights.co.uk/themes/1920s-party-supplies.aspx

http://pinterest.com/rionadoherty/roaring-20s-speakeasy-great-gatsby-party/

Some of the girls struggled to find a decent flapper headband, so instead of paying a stupid amount for a very poor quality one online, why not make your own? After trawling online for ages, my mum made both of ours with a metre of thick bead-embellished ribbon from a haberdashery in town, a feather and a button for about £5 each.

Hopefully Ritzy's will be opening for business again soon for an event I can actually remember...

Bises,

Riona