Giveaway Time Again - Sure Max Pro

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Back in May I went to a Zumba class run by the new Sure Maximum Protection peoples to test out their new super strong deodorant. The idea was 15 bloggers were asked to use the deodorant while wearing a grey t-shirt and then take part in a Zumba class.  Reason for wearing a grey t-shirt was to see if the deodorant left any *ahem* stains. 

So, we all met up in the lovely Morrison Hotel in Dublin in various types of exercise gear ready to put the deo to the test. An hour later and we were pretty wrecked (well, I was anyway). I have to say, I've been using the deodorant ever since and compared to other more traditional deo's this works really well especially with the humid weather we've been having lately. 

It gives off a lovely fresh smell pretty much all day long and is more like a moisturiser than a deodorant as it's very creamy. It is more expensive than your average deo (around €7) but it does work (keep an eye out for special offers). 

All in all it was a very fun day meeting lots of other bloggers while getting fit at the same time.

So, to thank all my existing readers (and perhaps gain some new ones), I'm giving away all three deodorants above so one lucky winner can try them out for themselves.

So, what do you need to do to WIN? 

• Become a fan of Second Last Song on Facebook (please make sure to like the competition too)
• Become a follower of my blog (over on the right side of the page). Make sure to comment on this post so I know you're following!
• If you follow the blog already (thank you) you can leave a comment on this post with your name and email address
• Tweet or Retweet about this giveaway (make sure to use 

  @secondlastsong)

  
  

  Remember:  The more of the above you do, the more times your name goes into the hat!

The winner will be chosen using random.org and the giveaway is open to those in Ireland and UK only. Giveaway will close on 8 August and please remember I'll need a contact email address otherwise I'll have to pick a different winner.

Good Luck!

Crazy (The Pack AD)

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Jacket - H&M

T-shirt - Topshop

Skirt - Zara

Shoes - Office

Summer may have just arrived to our shores.  Could it be true...we don't need tights anymore (clearly noted by my very pale legs). I really do need to do something about my terrible poses I've just realised. I broke my right arm about four years ago on a snowboarding trip and have a metal plate in it. It never just sits straight anymore and always looks a bit bent in photo's. I'm more self conscious about that than the huge scar running down the side of my arm. Anyway, posing for photo's is really hard when you're running a blog like this. So, if anyone has any ideas on good poses let me know!

Track of the Day:   The Pack AD - Crazy

This is for all the ladies and feminists out there and fella's too. Please watch this video by the amazing Pack AD who hail from Canadia. Their twitter profile reads "We're not the coolest band but we are YOUR band". I missed them when they supported NOMEANSNO in Dublin a while ago but hopefully will see them live one day.  

It's definitely a Friday song and makes me want to rock out. Happy Friday!

Ruth's Lookbook

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Jacket - Gap

Jumper - Cos

Jeans - Oasis
Shoes - Clarks

Last week I met my very good friend Ruth in Green 19 for dinner.  We used to work in a print gallery in Temple Bar together many years ago.  We became very good friends over many hot chocolates and remained good friends ever since.  It was Ruth's idea for me to add "Track of the Day" to the blog.  I always look forward to seeing her as she has an amazing sense of style. She always looks perfect and I know it's because she invests in good quality clothes (unlike me who thinks more stuff from Penneys = better). I couldn't help but take a couple of pictures of her outfit on the night. I love the colour of the green jacket against the beige polka dot jumper. Look at her cute burgundy shoes! She makes me want to dress more stylishly! 

Ruth also runs The Craft Lounge - offering fun crafty workshops where you can learn to make lots of lovely things such as soap, luxury cosmetics, soy candles, perfume, screen printing, embroidery and my favourite one - french knicker making. Check her out.

Track of the Day:   Le Tigre - Hot Topic

Ruth and I went to London a few years ago to see Le Tigre. They were awesome but the crowd weren't. Alot of chin scratching and negative commenting going on about the three ladies on stage giving it their all. We enjoyed it though...  

Hope you didn't get soaked yesterday. What's up with this weather?

Michelle Williams - My Style Icon

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(handbag.com; savoirflair.com)

(Stylebistro.com; closetcravings.com)

(glamour.com; zimbio.com)

(wmagazine.com; socialite life)

(skyliving.sky.com)

(Fanpop.com; roomsayaya.blogspot.com)

I thought I'd do something different for today's blog post. If like me you love clothes and certain celebrities you'll probably have a few whose style you like to follow.  One of my celeb style "icons" is Michelle Williams.

Ever since I saw her for the first time in Dawson's Creek I have always followed her for style ideas.  Her short peroxided hair alone makes her quirky in my eyes and she never really plays it safe on the red carpet but always manages to get it right (note that yellow Vera Wang dress she wore to the 2006 Oscars).  Like all celebs she does get sent clothes no doubt and probably has a stylist for events but other than that I think she probably picks her own outfits. I love her casual style even more. She wears clothes that normal women would wear taking their child to school or meeting a friend for lunch - jeans, runners, quirky dresses, shorts...not skin tight dresses and skyscraper heals and big ugly oversized black glasses. She's still young and I like that she dresses young. And of course she played the ultimate style icon in her stunning portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn. 

I am very tempted to copy her hair one of these days too.   

So, this is my dedication to the summer style of Michelle. I'd like to do a winter one too when the time comes. 

Who's your celeb style icon or maybe you don't have one?

xx

Track of the Day:   Ella Fitzgerald - Autumn in New York
A different female icon for a different reason.

Arnotts A/W12 Press Day

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Just Cavalli, Anna Sui

Gestuz, Mark & James

Tara Jarmon, Missoni

Vivienne Westwood, M Missoni

Reiss, Hoss Intropia

Emu, PAIGE

Hoss, Coccinelle

Rebecca Minkoff, Aubrey

Steve Madden, Buffalo, Kurt Geiger, Kurt Geiger, Anne Klein

Levis, Hackett

Farah, Strellson

Yes, there's menswear in today's post. Last week I went along to the Arnotts AW12 Press Day. I was in my element. I felt like I was in a shop with nobody else in it and I could spend as much time as I wanted just looking at everything...clothes, bags, shoes, accessories...they nearly had to kick me out. 

I never realised Arnotts stocked so many designers (Missoni, Just Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood) and yes, some of the prices are quite high, but there's also quite alot of very reasonably priced pieces and you know you're getting good quality. I don't normally blog about menswear but from what I saw I may make a trip with himself there soon too. 

From what I saw designers seem to pick a trend and then work their pieces around that.

"Trends include Lady of the Manor: mismatched tweeds, printed checks, vintage inspired jewelled embellishments, wallpaper floral prints paired with argyles and chunky knits. There's also hints of the 20’s, 50’s and the 60’s: these eras have been referenced again but they have evolved with block colour and quirky prints." 

"There is an uncompromised modernity here with simple but strong silhouettes, an abundance of shift dresses, boxy coats, a line skirts, embellished shell tops and cigarette pants."

There were also lots of faux fur stoles and gilets, gorgeous hats and pretty bird scarves. Hats are very much in this autumn which I'm happy about as I bought a black wool trilby-style one recently with my mom.

Credit cards beware...Arnotts are opening a 10,000 sq. foot Shoe Garden in September. It's going to be Ireland's largest footwear department including Vivienne Westwood, Nine West, Kurt Geiger and Carvela.  I may have to go in for a look...

Happy Thursday!

Be There

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Blouse - Penneys

Trousers, Denim Jacket - H&M

Brogues - River Island


This denim jacket is my friend.  You will see it appearing in lots of blog posts over the summer I suspect. Again, it goes with pretty much anything (except jeans). I'm not brave enough for the all jean look (and never was). The blouse is from Penneys and has a cute collar on it and little flowers. It's sheer which isn't great but worn with a jacket you can get away with it during the day I think. I like wearing cotton trousers in summer (mainly as wearing skirts and no tights is currently not an option) but the creasing drives me insane. I only get one day out of these and you can see how creased they are already just from being worn over the course of the day. 

Track of the Day:   Unkle - Be There

Yes, I'm on an Ian Brown buzz after seeing him with the Stone Roses a few weeks ago. I love his voice on this track from Unkle. 

Hope you're having a good week!

Stoned Love

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Faux Leather Jacket - Pull and Bear

Blouse - River Island

Jeans - Topshop (Jamie)
Scarf - H & M
Boots - New Look
Bag - Fiorelli - TK Maxx

Looking back at this outfit makes me think I prefer dressing for winter than summer.  Fits the day that was in it as I was on my way to the Arnotts A/W 2012 Press Day in the Morrison Hotel. I was convinced it was going to rain so wore my ankle boots but the sun came out and stayed out all day! The jeans are one of my favourite pair as they never get knee's in them and are very stretchy and a nice colour too. I realise the scarf is clashing with the pattern on the blouse but I think it works. A faux leather jacket should definitely be part of your wardrobe (I think). Pair it with a dress or jeans or leggings. It doesn't have to be black either. This one is a dark green. 
I'll be doing a separate post soon about the A/W range that I was lucky enough to see...so many beautiful pieces to review and share with you.   

Track of the Day:   The Supremes - Stoned Love

Last week I went to The Stone Roses in The Phoenix Park. They walked on stage to this track from The Supremes (which I'd never heard before). I can't stop listening to it now. I was a huge fan of The Stone Roses in the 90's and wasn't sure what the gig would be like as it had been so long since I had listened to them. My brother got us free tickets so I was happy to go along with him. They were brilliant. I feel very lucky to have seen them (and even luckier that neither of us got stabbed). Now all I need is for The Smiths and Cocteau Twins to do the same.

Happy Friday! Off to see Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo tonight. Super excited.

Cross Your Fingers

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Blazer - Swopshop Night

Dress - A Wear

Necklace - H&M

I love the colour of this dress and it has sleeves too. Not enough dresses these days have sleeves. Why is that? Designers must think we all have perfectly toned arms that we're all dying to show off. Hmmm...not me anyway. I love the simplicity of wearing a dress - add tights and a blazer/cardigan and a pair of brogues and you're sorted.  
There's actually a company in Ireland who will add sleeves to your clothes for you. I can't find a link to their site but I'll post it up if I find it over the next few days.

Track of the Day:   Laura Marling - Cross Your Fingers
Just love her voice. 


I'm very excited because today I'm going to my first ever Press Day. It's for Arnott's AW line. I'll do a post of it hopefully tomorrow or the next day.

Lost Girls

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Blazer - Swopshop Night

Top, Jeans - A Wear

Necklace - H&M

As I'm sure you all know the weather here has been all over the place - sunny one day and raining the next. I wake up in the morning and don't know what to wear. I either wear too many clothes and end up sweating or I end up being cold due to irrational summer outfits. 
A short sleeved top, blazer and jeans seem like a safe bet.  I really wish our summer would arrive so I could wear sandals that have been sitting in my wardrobe since May. 

Track of the Day:   Tilly and the Wall - Lost Girls
I saw this band a long time ago when they supported CSS in Dublin. The singer's voice is very lovely I think.

I hope you all have a good week. I am very excited about seeing Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Friday with my mom and brother. 

Wedding Guest

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(Coral & Gold)
Dress - Asos
Clutch -  Franchi Feather Clutch
Earrings, Bracelet -  Forever 21
Hair Clip - Etsy.com
Shoes - Dunnes Stores

(Green Bolero)
Bolero - Debenhams
Shoes - Christian Louboutin (ha ha, I wish)
Hair Clip - Etsy.com
Bracelet - Forever 21
Bag - Blackclutchbags.net
Earrings - Pandora

(Orange crush)
Bag - Asos
Shoes - amazon.co.uk
Hair Clip - Etsy.com
Gold Cuff, Earrings - Forever 21

It's wedding fever out there. Lots of people I know are going to weddings and we have a few ourselves this year. I love a good wedding especially if I know the music is going to be good. We went to a fantastic wedding last week in Cork (and the music was very good). Our friends Noel and Maria got married. The bride looked stunning in a beautiful crisp white one-shouldered dress and blue shoes with very chic 20's style hair. I'd never seen a bride in a vintage hairstyle - stunning. Minimal make up with gorgeous red lips. The groom didn't look half bad either with his groomsmen in matching blue ties.

I got this dress for the wedding and wore it with a green bolero and black peep toe Mary Jane's (similar to outfit #2). Unfortunately the weather was pretty terrible so I didn't take any pictures outside and the ones I took inside didn't come out too well (plus I was having too much fun to take pics!) Instead I've decided to show you how I might accessorise this dress for other weddings.

Track of the Day:  Aphex Twin - Girl / Boy Song

Both bride and groom are very into their music. The lovely bride walked up the aisle to this track by Aphex Twin (slower version courtesy of a keyboard). Classic. The communion was courtesy of Codeine's "Broken Hearted Wine". A pretty sad song that always reminds me of the groom. I think he used to play it on guitar at parties after a few drinks. The (very) happy couple walked out together to " 'til I die" by Nomeansno. Magnifique.

Hope you liked this post. I had alot of fun putting the three looks together. 

Forever 21 Competition Winner

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A few weeks ago I held my first Giveaway on the blog. Thank you so much to everyone who entered by becoming a follower of the blog, a fan on my Facebook page, tweeting about the competition, leaving lovely comments, etc. You're all so lovely. 

I picked the winner today using Random.org - the winner is Jane Fitzgerald!  Well done Jane.  I'll be posting out your gorgeous new earrings tomorrow - maybe you could take a picture of you wearing them with a fab outfit and send it to me? 

I really enjoyed hosting my first Giveaway.  To everyone who entered and promoted the competition for me but didn't win, I'm so sorry but please keep an eye out on the blog, my Facebook page and on my Twitter as I'll be doing another Giveaway very soon and I'd love you to enter again (I won't be leaving it open for a month either - way too long I think). I was dying to pick the winner!

---oOo---

Happy Sunday!