Author: lovetomtom

Wish List

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Wish List

#26

I have spent a lot of time online the past few weeks, not working as you’ve probably gathered, more as a way of distracting myself from the sadness that fills my heart. Honestly we hear so much negativity around social media and the big bad world of the internet but besides my amazing family and friends, the internet has provided some much-needed daydreaming and security for my heavy heart.

With many hours spent scrolling through my favourite brands and artists, filling my virtual basket with clothes, accessories, shoes, books and makeup and not once following through with a single transaction, I have become an expert at ‘fake internet shopping’. Feeling totally inspired by all the fabulous yet unnecessary material things I thought I was missing out on, I decided to venture into the real world and unapologetically do a bit of retail therapy.

You all know me well enough by now to know that I love shopping. Whether I purchase anything or not I genuinely love strolling through shops, touching fabrics, piecing outfits together, trying on shoes, buying shoes! You can imagine my disappointment then when I finally got myself together to leave my apartment and spend some cash that I was so uninspired by this season’s ‘trends’. I walked and walked and came home empty-handed. There was plenty of course that caught my eye but as usual these items were more wish list than realistic purchases, which leads me here. While the shops are full of hideous off-the-shoulder numbers and copious versions of the same old   embroidered shirts, I am steering clear and continuing my Wish List daydreaming over on Pinterest. Each week I’m going to pin everything that has caught my eye. Everything from fashion, beauty, interiors and food, and if I do actually make a purchase, it will get pinned here too! I’ll be updating my Wish List board throughout the week and have already started so why not take a look.

xo

 

Life

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Life

It has been rather quiet here on lovetomtom and some of you may already know why.

Sadly I have had rather a difficult time the past few weeks loosing two special ladies in our family. As you can imagine, life has not only turned upside down, it has been put on hold.

xo

Cuckoo Magazine

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Cuckoo Magazine

I’m so delighted to introduce you to Cuckoo Magazine if you aren’t already familiar with it that is, and even more exciting is that I’m joining the team to talk all things food!

Each week you’ll be able to read my recipes, reviews, what’s good and even what’s bad and I’m kicking things off with a trip to Network café for my ‘Something for Dessert?‘ series. You can find out what I ate for dessert here and trust me it was good!

xo

Fat Bomb

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Recipe of the month

Fat Bomb

This little rectangle of delight has turned into an old favourite at lovetomtom HQ. What started out as a ketogenic snack has now turned into my version of a Cacao & Peanut Butter Fat Bomb. The perfect thing to get me through my sweet cravings and trust me there are many!

If you follow me on social media you may have heard me talk about these before but it is such an easy tasty recipe I felt it deserved its own video!

I should have mentioned in the video above that the one downfall to this recipe is that they don’t travel very well. It is not a huge problem for me as honestly as they go from the freezer to my mouth so no time to worry about taking them anywhere else! If you do want to make them keep their shape for as long as possible try mixing all the ingredients together instead of layering it like I do with mine.

I hope you enjoy and if you want to see more of what I get up to in the kitchen leave a comment below.

xo

 

Return of the Beauty Bag

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Return of the Beauty Bag

Permanent Products 

It’s time to head back to my Beauty Bag and before I show you all the new products I’ve collected the past few months I thought it would be a good opportunity to show you my permanent products. For all you Beauty Bag ‘old timers’ you won’t be surprised by any of these and for all you newbies you’ve plenty to catch up on!

Just to mix things up a little and because I love a good chat I’ve decided to talk you through my beauty bag rather than type so you will now be able to hear my endless chat over on YouTube. Thanks to everyone who got in touch asking for the beauty bag to return and of course you know what’s coming next: Don’t forget to subscribe!

xo

The Met Gala 2017

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The Met Gala 2017

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons

Art of the In-between

The Met Gala is one of those events, more than any other in the fashion world that takes my interest to a whole other level. This year’s theme, Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons Art of the In-between was no different. I would know Rei Kawakubo’s work from a distance and come fashion season I would always watch a Comme des Garçons collection but if I’m honest I struggle with the fashion versus art debate, the images and conflict her work presents.

When I heard The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was honouring the work of Rei Kawakubo I took notice and possibly a little too late. Once I started researching, reading and what I can only describe as inspecting,  I was like a moth to a flame. Barely scraping the surface of her body of work I became more intrigued with her concepts and her ability to transport these to the fashion world. If I’m honest, I was counting down to the first Monday in May.

The other thing that always intrigues me about The Met Gala is imagining how those on the guest list honour the theme. Is it their interpretation of the theme or in this case, is it life imitating art, literally? Last night at first glance, I was disappointed with the lack of Rei Kawakubo pieces on the red carpet. Surely this was the night to go all out and embrace avant-garde in a way one may not normally do? This morning, with a little more time I once again started inspecting and I found what I was hoping for. Authentic Comme des Garçons pieces or individual homage to the challenges Rei Kawabkubo has presented over the years. Some referenced specific collections, others specific pieces and this is what I enjoy most about this event.

In complete contrast, it appeared some on the red carpet gave no thought to the theme and just put on a pretty frock and I have no time for them. If you haven’t already looked at last night’s red carpet, do so at your own pleasure. Instead my mind is here, with Rei Kawakubo and her work at Comme des Garçons.

#metkawakubo @roversi @anna_vrc @juliendys MAY 4. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A post shared by Comme des Garcons OFFICIAL (@commedesgarcons) on

 

Comme des Garcons' The Ceremony of Separation FW15, photo by PAOLO ROVERSI, head lace and make up by Julien D'ys

A post shared by Comme des Garcons OFFICIAL (@commedesgarcons) on

Model @annaewers by @robbiespencer for @dazedfashion @dazed set by @simon_costin PHOTO PAOLO @roversi

A post shared by Comme des Garcons OFFICIAL (@commedesgarcons) on

xo

The Backpack Dilemma

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The Backpack Dilemma

I have struggled for some time now with seeing backpacks in mainstream fashion. I’m a firm believer that just because something is in fashion does not make it fashionable and backpacks definitely fall into that category. I detested backpacks in my school days and see no need for them as an adult. Unless you are hiking or possibly travelling but in no other circumstance do I see a need for them.

With all of that said, I do see their practical value and here is my dilemma. Every few months I revisit the idea of buying one mostly due to back pain so I spend hours online researching and find a backpack I deem age appropriate and vaguely stylish. This is then followed by me falling off my chair at the price and I then decide I don’t need one after all. I am currently at the start of that cycle again but with good reason. Before I left for my trip to Oz I considered using a backpack as my hand luggage so my search began. Not wanting to spending a month’s salary on something I may not even use I hit high street chains looking for a plain, practical yet stylish backpack. Most I found were horrible and the ones that got a second glance were more than I was willing to pay. At that point I was ready to give up but I started to look at what was really bothering me about the backpacks I found.

Most of these backpacks were not age appropriate. I’m a grown woman with a lot of stuff to carry around and a ‘mini’ backpack won’t cut it. That brings me to the next thing that bothers me; the straps. Remember the driving force for me wanting to buy a backpack is it’s practical so why on earth would I consider a backpack with straps that resemble shoelaces? My other issue (I’m on a roll now) and this is one that may just be mine, is the shape. I prefer a square shape yet I found very few like this and any that were square were completely out of my price range.

This is where I had a lightbulb moment. In general I found there was some mass generalisation about what women want from a backpack so I started looking at men’s versions and bingo! I started my search from scratch going into every men’s department and do you know what I found? Simple, square, non-offensive backpacks. At that point I bought a men’s black, squared-shaped, fabric backpack for 12 euro from Penneys. I used it on the plane and if I’m honest despite it being aesthetically reasonable, I got what I paid for and I can’t see it lasting many more days.

No doubt I will return to this dilemma at some stage in the future but until then, here are a few I daydream about owning.

xo

Long Haul Flight Essentials

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Long Haul Flight Essentials

Part 2

I have been holding off on putting this video up mostly because if I’m ready to talk about my flight back to Dublin it means holidays are over (insert sad face).

As much as I love holidays and travel I detest flying. Thankfully my plan this time round helped me manage the long long journey and I will definitely be incorporating these tips and tricks on my next holiday. I’m already planning.

Let me know what your travel essentials are and where you’re going next on holidays!

xo

Holiday Fun

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Holiday Fun

Melbourne

You have  probably all heard or seen by now that I am on holidays at home in Melbourne. With such a jam packed trip there isn’t a minute to spare in between all the coffees, celebrations, sitting in the sun and of course babysitting the real lovetomtom. Not that I would have it any other way of course!

While I get my dose of family and Melbourne life, here are a few things to keep you along the ride with me. If you haven’t seen it already, check out part one of my Long Haul Flight Essentials video. Part two is coming but if I’m honest it was rather an unpleasant flight to Melbourne and  there are only so many ways to say ‘and then I vomited’ but seeing as I have to take the horrendous journey home to Dublin there will be a part two.

I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to celebrate my wedding with my Aussie family so out came my wedding outfit and we had a lovely celebration at Trunk Restaurant and Bar followed by coffee and cake at Bruntetti, an old favourite Melbourne spot. To top the night off we had a lovely catch-up with our extended family and friends and I had such a great night I had no time to take any photographs!

A trip home is very different to any other holiday. It is jam-packed, emotional and there is never enough time to fit it all in. I’m trying to take full advantage of every moment spent with my family and friends and a little less time with technology which I’m sure you will all understand. Don’t worry though you can stay in touch on Instagram which is where I’m posting a few holiday snaps in between all the hugs and kisses with the real lovetomtom.

xo