Archived - Emma O Donnell
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New Years Eve Outfit


dress - topshop (sold out similar here and here)
necklace - topshop (sold out online similar here)
bag - monsoon
boots - office

 I think this gold dress is perfect for a New Years party and the pointed chelsea boots give the look a bit of an edge. I will be spending New Years Eve in Cardiff this year :) I'm flying out tomorrow evening (if the weather permits!). I went to Derry on boxing day to do a little shopping. I bought the necklace that I'm wearing in this outfit and a few other things in the picture below. I reckon I still have a few more days to wear the Christmas jumper that I bought :P 
(grey jumper - river island, christmas jumper - topshop, velvet high-waisted joni jeans - topshop, christmas socks - h&m, blue jumper - h&m, oversized grey tshirt - new look)

Merry Christmas :)

Merry Christmas everyone :) I hope you've had a nice day x
I got the coolest things this year, my boyfriend got me a fred perry dress, the coolest chelsea boots, a record my Tess Parks and the new Morrissey book. My family cute me a few cute little things like Pandora earrings and this teddybear, you can see it all below

I took some pictures of my outfit today too, I feel so cool in Fred Perry ;) I just love the tennis skirt on this dress


dress - fred perry
boots - office

I'm so happy with all I got, I am well and truly spoilt. I've had a nice Christmas at home in Donegal with my family, how have you been spending Christmas? :)

Christmas Party Outfit


velvet playsuit - topshop (sold out similar here and here)
choker - river island
heels - clarks

only three sleeps to Christmas :) yay I'm not going out until boxing day but I think I'll wear this little velvet playsuit from Topshop that I got it last year. Topshop have some similar velvet playsuits this season and they are currently on sale, most have sold out online but some are still available in store.
I haven't been posting much lately because I've been so busy with college work but I'm free now for a whole month so I plan to post more regularly :)

My Ten Favourite Cult Classics (ideas for last minute Christmas shopping!)


I've decided to make a list of my ten favourite modern cult classics because Christmas shopping is difficult and without Amazon next day delivery we would all be lost. Most of the cult classics are coming of age novels so they are suitable for teenage friends and family 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar is probably one of my favourite books and I really need to give it a re-read this Christmas. It is about a young woman named Esther Greenwood who gains a summer internship at a magazine in New York City, however, the experience triggers a series of emotional disturbances and causes Esther to suffer from a mental breakdown. The novel is believed to be semi-autobiographical and therefore it gives an interesting insight into Sylvia's Plath's experience as a writer and her struggle with mental illness. The Bell Jar's introspective analysis of mental illness makes it an enduring cult classic.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

If you liked  Stanley Kubrick's film adaption then you should definitely give this a read. The novel is set in a dystopian future in which a group of youths commit extreme acts of violence. The main character, Alex, discusses his criminal exploits and narrates the attempts of the government to reform him. The novel contains a lot of slang which makes it really interesting to read. Anyone who loves futuristic novels will love this book.

Maggie Cassidy by Jack Kerouac

Anything by Jack Kerouac will be good present for someone who loves modern classics. I really like Maggie Cassidy because it has an amazing atmosphere and well, I love any book set in the fifties. Maggie Cassidy is also semi-autobiographical as it is believed to be based on Kerouac's relationship with his childhood sweetheart. The high school setting makes it a good introduction into Kerouac's work.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Another novel set in the fifties, there is a trend here. The Outsiders was written by Hinton when she was only sixteen which makes it a truly authentic coming of age story. It is about two rival teenage gangs called the Greasers and the Socs who come to blows about a girl named Cherry Valence. The novel is narrated by Ponyboy Curtis who tries to protect his brothers and friends from conflict and persecution, "stay gold, Ponyboy... stay gold"

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Although Just Kids was released nearly 6 years ago (omg how has it been that long), I think it has already earned cult status. The novel is set in New York City and follows the early lives of musician and poet Patti Smith and artist Robert Mapplethorpe. The memoir offers a interesting insight into a remarkable relationship and reveals the life of an artist during the sixties and seventies in New York City.

1984 by George Orwell

1984 is one of my favourite books because it offers a terrifying vision of a dystopian future in which society is controlled by a totalitarian government. The novel follows the attempts of Winston Smith to escape the omnipresent surveillance and Big Brother's authoritarian control of independent thought and speech.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

I'm currently reading the Virgin Suicides and I'm loving it. As a fan of Sophia Coppola's film adaption, I'm surprised that I haven't read it sooner. The story is about five young teenage girls from 1970's suburbia who commit suicide to escape from a strict Catholic upbringing. The novel is told from the point of view of a group of teenage boys who recall their experience with the five Lisbon sisters and attempt to find an explanation for their sudden deaths.

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning by Alan Sillitoe

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is about a young man named Arthur who has an affair with a colleagues wife while he is out of town. The novel is split in two parts and reflects on life in post war Britain and Arthur's relationship with authority. The novel inspired music by The Arctic Monkeys and The Smiths so that's a pretty good reason to give it a read.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye could be argued as the ultimate cult classic. I read it in one sitting during one of my bus journeys to uni so it really stuck with me. The novel is about a young man named Holden Caulfield who struggles with feelings of alienation and loss after being expelled from his school.

The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurty

The Last Picture Show is set in Texas in the early fifties and follows the story of a group of high school friends who struggle to come of age in a small town suffering from an economic recession. The novel portrays the loss of innocence in an era obsessed with popular culture.

You can buy all ten books from this Amazon wishlist

October Favourites


Music

 I seen Johnny Marr this month :) I had such a great night. He was playing at the Olympia in Dublin. I had a seated ticket but I think for that venue you really need to stand to see anything. Johnny was just a little blob on stage for the most part hehe I've really gotten into his latest album Playland since the gig. He's releasing a live album called Adrenalin Baby on the 13th of November so I can't wait for that. I think its available to stream on spotify now. After the concert, I watched Johnny walk to his taxi. I got this blurry photo as evidence. It's not his most attractive picture but he kept running away when I was trying to take a picture hehe

Tv

 I watched nine movies this month but I didn't really like any of them so I've been drawn more to tv. I'm watching the new series of American Horror Story. I like Hotel a lot better than Freakshow but I don't like it as much as the first three series. The hotel really reminds me of The Chelsea Hotel. I think it feels like New York even though its set in Los Angeles. I miss Jessica Lange but Lady Gaga is growing on me. I've also been watching The Walking Dead, I'm on episode three so don't tell me what happened to Glenn hehe I can't wait to start watching The Vampire Dairies. I basically like anything that's cheesy and has vampires/zombies in it :P

Fashion and Beauty

I love Halloween themed fashion and beauty. The Lazy Oaf x Casper collaboration is so cute and perfect for Halloween themed outfits. I really love this pink fluffy jumper and this sheer dress. Topshop always have such a nice collection for Halloween. The best part is most of it is wearable throughout Autumn and Winter. I also love the Halloween themed collection at Lush. I cant wait to buy some of their Christmas collection next month. Regal Rose is a great place to get Halloween themed accessories, They sell the coolest rings. Can we just extend Halloween to include all of November please

Halloween

I didn't have much planned for Halloween this year but I did however dress up as this batgirl type thing hehe you can read the details in the post below. I also carved a pumpkin but I ended up making it look a lot more happy than scary. Although its smile is a little creepy. What did you dress up for Halloween? If you've posted your Halloween outfit then leave a link below :)

Halloween


mask - h&m
black lipstick - topshop
velvet choker - river island
top - h&m

I bought this mask from h&m last year but I didn't wear it so I thought I'd pull it out for the occasion. I got the black lipstick from Topshop two years ago, they don't seem to make them anymore. I think h&m might sell something similar though. I hope you had a nice Halloween :)

Easy Money


top - topshop
skirt - h&m
bag - topshop
boots - greens

I got my haircut today, I really like the length this time :) I love this bag so much, the tassles are such a cool detail, even though they make opening and closing the bag really awkward. I went to Johnny Marr a week ago and it was amazing. I'd say it was one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to. I waited at the stage door afterwards and I watched him walk to his taxi, it was the best five seconds!

September Favourites

sources: thebrianjonestownmassacre, google, google hannahlouisefashion

I've decided to try something new since I don't have time to update as regularly these days. I've  created a list of all the things I've been enjoying in September. I hope to make this a regular thing so I'll keep this blog semi updated :)

Music

 I've been loving an album by Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe called I Declare Nothing. It was released earlier this year and my favourite song is Cocaine Cat. If you like The Brian Jonestown Massacre then you should give this a shot. Tess Parks has a great voice and I've been loving her solo album Blood Hot too. My favourite song from it is Somedays. I've also been listening to Cherry Glazerr, The Raveonettes, Alvvays and Wolf Alice.

Film

My favourite film this month is Legend. It tells the story of Reggie and Ronnie Kray, both played by Tom Hardy, who became two of the most notorious criminals of the sixties. The story is narrated by Reggie's wife, played by Emily Browning. I loved the witty dialogue and Tom Hardy's performance is great. I also couldn't help but love all of Emily Browning's dresses. I just want to live in the sixties, okay? I've been watching a lot of crime films for college and I think I'm really starting to develop a liking for this genre. 

Tv

I love This Is England 90. I've always liked the This Is England series and I was so excited (and a little saddened) to see the release of the final series. It's the first time I've watched the series as it is released on television so it makes it even more exciting to wait for each weeks episode. The final episode is feature length and its on as we speak... eek. You can watch it here.

Fashion

I've been following London fashion week on social media this month and I loved the "girly aesthetic" that many of the designers celebrated - the over sized tulle dresses at Molly Goddard, the confetti hair and skateboards at Ashish, the mermaids at Sophia Webster. Just Girly Things. I've also been taking advantage of the 20% student discount in high street stores like Topshop, River Island, H&M and New Look. It's the last year that I'll have access to student discounts so I had to take advantage (that's my excuse). If you're a student you can access lots more discounts on high street and online stores with unidays

Youtube

I've been watching a lot of videos of youtube recently because I don't have a tv in my house anymore and youtube is filling that empty space in my life. I've been loving monthly favourites (hence the idea for this post), fashion and beauty hauls and weekly vlogs. My favourite channels are Amy Valentine, Helen Anderson, Zoella and Leanne Woodfull. Mostly bloggers as you can see. I've also been liking The Future of Fashion documentary with Alexa Chung on Vogue's channel.  

Photo Diary: Mac Demarco and The Last Days of Summer

last week I went to Porthcawl with Chris, the weather was pretty nice so I got one last shot at summer hehe 
unfortunately the funfair was closed :( but we had such a nice time at the beach
spying out my future party boat
a Polaroid of me at the beach
so beautiful
coincidently standing beside an ice cream sign hehe 
we also went to Bristol to see Mac Demarco
a pitcher of Blue Lagoon looking so tasty :P
looking cute before the gig
at the start of Mac's set I was this close to the stage but by the end I was standing at the back :L the crowd were so pushy and it really ruined the gig for me, I thought a Mac Demarco gig would be a lot more chilled
taking a picture of each other at the same time :P I'm going to miss summer
I went college book shopping but I came back with a Smiths record and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams which I'm not even studying. I cant wait until Christmas when I can read all my non college related books
The Smiths record is a bootleg of The Troy Tate Recordings which are early recording of songs from 1983 like I Don't Owe You Anything and Reel Around the Foundation which were intended for The Smiths debut album. After an initial pressing the recordings were scrapped and the album was re recorded with John Porter. This is part two so I'm interested in finding out whats in part one
this is the last time Ill be able to wear tops like this for another 10 months ... sigh

Bedroom Makeover

I'm moving back to Dublin tomorrow and I'm so sad to be leaving my room. I'm so emotionally attached to all my things that I'm bringing like four suitcases with me!
 I decorated my room about a month ago and I love how it looks. I painted the walls and put up the wallpaper with my mum so I've learnt a lot about DIY and why not to do it yourself! still, it does give you some satisfaction to see it all finished
I got the bed linen and cushion from Penneys the pillow is from Matalan :) The wallpaper is from Harry Corry.
I have two posters on either side of my bed. I got The Smiths one with the Rank vinyl. I have side panels by my bed that I like to keep little knick knacks in. I also have a blue lava lamp as a tribute to the 90s
My bedside locker featuring the book I'm currently reading. Its called Champagne Supernovas its about the fashion industry in the nineties and focuses on Kate Moss, Alexander Mc Queen and Marc Jacobs. The blue desk lamp is from Dunnes Stores
I got the Blondie poster with the 40th anniversary vinyl and I got The Beatles lunchbox at The Beatles themed Cirque du Soleil show that I went to about four years ago. I like to keep all my ticket stubs in it. I also have a Diana F+ camera that I bought from Amazon and a Polaroid that I got at a second hand shop
My Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe box print is sitting by my bed at the moment because I havent fixed it on the wall yet. I bought it at the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Mac in Belfast a few years ago
A Blow Up poster that I got from ebay
curtain and tassel from Harry Corry
I still have glow in the dark solar system stickers on my ceiling that I put up there when I was eight, I wanted to do the whole ceiling at the time 
I got this 5x4 photo frame from Penneys 
My desk featuring a clock from TK Maxx , a memory box and some of my books
notebooks :)
some of my favourite books
some ticket stubs and pictures of idols. I got the mirror from a second hand shop and I decorated the light switch with stickers
I got these white rose fairy lights from Penneys 
my record player and record collection featuring my beloved Smiths boxset. The record player is my dads so its very old and very big! it also has a cassette player and cd changer
My dressing table has been taken over by my record player and jukebox but in the middle I like to keep lots of trinkets, jewellery and perfume. I tend to gather a lot of trinkets but I put a lot of it away this week because I was struggling to see my mirror!

I hoped you like my room tour :)

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