Taking a walk on the WILD side

I fell in love with a faux-fur leopard print coat last week and was so close to putting myself into debt and buying it when my friend kindly told me I looked like Bet Lynch from Coronation Street. Since I don't smoke or drink pints I figured I probably wouldn't pull it off so and left the shop empty handed.

Animal prints are definitely a look I'm loving this Winter though and think they add a bit of classic boldness to an otherwise simple outfit - when worn in small amounts! Whilst they've always appeared over the years in the forms of handbags, shoes and other accessories, we're seeing them more than ever incorporated into outfits, particularly leopard print and here are some of my favourite looks for this season...

Love Katy Perry's 3/4 length sleeved dress

Kate Moss adds a faux-fur leopard print coat to a
zip-detailed black dress and understated heels

Rihanna tucks a leopard-print blouse into
a high waisted white trouser suit for a sophisticated look

Forever 21 launches in Dublin

In case the Dublin shopping scene wasn't exciting enough with the opening of the largest New Look store in Europe, it decided to go one step further and get way ahead of the European trends with the arrival of one of America's biggest fashion retail stores, Forever 21.

The store which will open its doors to the public today, Saturday 13th November, is the first of its kind to be opened in Europe - which is bound to shake our fashion scene up and set our standards that bit higher in the stylish city stakes!

Forever 21 is a Los Angeles based company and will be taking over most of the space previously occupied by Arnotts Project in Jervis St Shopping Centre in Dublin City Centre. The store is famous for its fashion trend turnover and with such amazingly affordable prices, its bound to give its competitors H&M and New Look a major run for their money.

The fashion giant didn't choose fashion capitals Paris or London for it's European debut store but little old Ireland instead. Although with 500 stores opened world wide and an estimated 90 new stores being opened annually, I doubt it will be too long before our neighbouring cities follow suit.

Check us out setting the trends!!

Shop 'n Rock!

In case late night shopping visits on a Thursday wasn't enough of a mood booster (retail therapy so near to the weekend, yay!) Dundrum are hosting a 'Shop and Rock' evening this Thursday, 11th November, exclusively for shopaholics!

The Shopping Centre is extending it's usual hours from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m for one night and will be filled with free entertainment, fashion shows, competitions, refreshments and lots of discount shopping!

I thought I was too late to hop on the guestlist but after a very sweet email with a couple of smiley faces I managed to make it on so if you fancy going, email news@dundrum.ie ASAP!

The Cemembert Quartet, The Shoos and The Overtones will be providing some background music while we shop and if you need a break, make sure you visit West Coast Cooler and Lindt for some free chocs! With discounts in lots of participating stores such as Aldo, Fran & Jane, Oasis, Harvey Nichols, Inglot, Penneys and River Island, it sounds like a pretty good time to start the Christmas shopping early this year! Now all I need to worry about is how to fit it all into just two hours... :)