Still Not Sure What You're Going to Be for Halloween?

Take some inspiration from my sister's designs! Lauren, who works as a graphic designer for the Nashville cosmetic company: The Cosmetic Market, created a last-minute list of costume ideas inspired by beauty products.They're all so cute! Readers-what are y'all dressing up as tomorrow night?

Ray O'Neill

Blackrock

Jacket: H&M

T-Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Vintage shop in Germany

Hazel Buckley

Douglas

Jacket: Amity

Top: Amity

Scarf: H&M

Earings: Amity

Jeans: Vero Moda

Boots: River Island

Tweet Tweet!

It's official. I gave in and joined the twittosphere. In honor of my surrender to the gods of pop culture, I put together some of my favorite Etsy finds inspired by the twitter bird. If you'd like constant updates on my life in statements of less than 140 characters, feel free to follow me. Twitter name: challemann.

1.) Black Bird Hooks ($40) 
2.) Love Birds on Branch Necklace ($23)
3.) Birds on Branch Hand-Stamped Silver Post Earrings ($13)
4.) Rustic Cottage Birdhouse ($15)
5.) Keep Calm and Tweet On Print ($8)

In the comment section, I'd love to hear your thoughts about incorporating Twitter into a blog. Do y'all find that interesting? Useful? Obnoxious? What blogs do you read that use Twitter? Weigh in below.

Kate Spade Fever

Last week I was so excited when my friend Emily sent me this link announcing that Kate Spade, the New York designer best known for her colorful accessories, printed stationary and feminine silhouettes, is launching a new bed and bath collection this spring! The line will include the bold prints and bright colors consumers have come to expect from Kate Spade. Not sure if I'll be able to afford it, but I can't wait to see the complete line!

My Kate Spade frenzy continued when I saw that the brand uploaded images from their Spring 2011 collection onto their look book website. I love the Iris top ($245), Hand in Hand bangles ($48 each) and the Samantha bag ($575)

Readers, what do you think of Kate Spade's spring ventures? What other designers' collections are you looking forward to this spring?

Obsession of the Moment: Capes

My top trend this fall is definitely the cape. I'm obsessed with all the pieces pictured below, especially the Anthropologie look. Readers what are your favorite trends for fall?

(Clockwise from top left):
Everything in Place Cape: Anthropologie ($198)
Alice and Olivia Emory Cape: Shopbop ($495) 
Navy Wool Capulina: Etsy ($56)
Ultimate Military Cape: Topshop ($190)

If You're Looking for a Fashion-Forward Halloween Costume,

click here to check out my column in this week's Old Gold and Black!

Save the Tatas through Shopping

While it’s important to focus on breast cancer prevention and education all year long, October has been designated the pinkest month with the label Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Corporate America has jumped on the pink bandwagon offering products whose price includes a donation to breast cancer prevention, research or education. There are hundreds of products available so show your support while shopping this month. Here’s a list of my favorites:

Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Campaign includes both products and an auction that benefit breast cancer care and prevention. My pick from the collection? The slim-fit pony tee pictured left.

One of my favorite beauty products, Clinique's Dramatically Different face lotion, benefits the Breast Cancer  Research Foundation this month with $10 from each purchase going directly to the nonprofit.

Check out this limited edition Lilly Pulitzer scarf. Five dollars from each $118 purchase goes to the American Cancer Society.

Tomorrow, October 22, the online sample sale site Rue La La is hosting a pink-themed event with 10% of the retail sales going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation  (Plus, if you click here and sign up before October 25, you'll get a $20 credit for the site!)

From now until October 31, Coach will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of their pink leather Mia Maggie bag to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is "to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health."

Gorjana will donate 60% of the proceeds of their Heart Necklace ($48)  to Breast Cancer Connections, "an organization whose mission it is to support women and their families in overcoming breast cancer."

 A portion of sales from Essie's sweet shade of "We Can Do It Pink!" nail polish benefits Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national education and support organization devoted to helping those who have suffered or are currently suffering from breast cancer.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I've been so ridiculously busy with midterms and school work that I've barely had time to think, much less blog. School wise, things have finally calmed down so I'll be back to posting regularly! The weather outside was dreary today so I thought I'd pay homage to Lox Papers and create my own college-inspired Rain Check. Readers--What do y'all like to do when it rains?

Image credits: (Scarf, Pumpkin Spice, Cozy Blanket, Emma, Kate Spade Stationary, Hunter Boots)

Lwona Deazek

Cork

Jacket: Oasis

Scarf: Zara

Bag: River Island

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Penneys

Coat tales

A single-breasted tweed coat pulls together a work look like nobody's business. This tweed version hits Penneys at the beginning of November -  a snip at €60.

Case in point

Boys, unless you're an intern or you work at a leisure centre, there's no excuse for carrying a rucksack to the office. Join the grown-ups by stowing your stuff in this sharp leather briefcase (€101, Next), which will look even better with age.

Amy Hartnett

Scarf: Italy

Vest: Vero Moda

Top: Penneys

Cardigan: Penneys

Leggings: A|Wear

Boots: H&M

Bag: Penneys

Accessories: H&M

Glasses: A|Wear

Mulberry for Target

Yesterday, I swung by my local Target to scope out the new Mulberry for Target handbag line. I hate to say it, but I'm underwhelmed by the collection. While the purse designs resemble the classic handbag shapes Mulberry is known for, the bags are made of PVC and cotton. They feel cheap. I know you can't produce hand-crafted leather bags for $49.99, but these aren't even worth fifty dollars. The collection had quite a bit of hype, and I was disappointed when it didn't meet my expectations.

I personally won't be shopping the collaboration, but I'd love to hear your opinions. What do y'all think of the collection?

Bernadette Cosgrave

Farranree

Jumpsuit: Awear 

Belt: Awear

Bag: The Bag Shop, Patrick’s St.

Shoes: Penneys

Shirt du jour

Wondering what to wear right now? Well wonder no more - this Soft Blouse, (€38 from Next) should be your first autumn purchase. Team with skinny jeans and nude heels or tuck inside a tapered trouser for laid-back glamour.

Shopbop Friends and Family Sale!

Midterms are fast approaching, so my apologies for a brief post this morning. Today online retail giant shopbop.com is offering 20% off any regularly-priced item! It's almost too good a deal to pass up. Enter inthefamily20 at checkout to receive the discount.

I'm currently craving this and this and this, but can't decide if they're worth the splurge. Readers are you shopping Shopbop's Friends and Family Sale?

Style of a 20 Something Elsewhere:

Check out my feature in this week's Old Gold and Black highlighting fall 2010's hottest fashion trends! 

Click here to read the article

Rory Mullen 

West Cork

Jacket: Retro grade

Shirt: Gift from Uncle George

Jeans: Penneys (Ladies section)

Shoes: Dublin Flea Market

Trick-or-Treat Tote

In my book, Halloween preparation begins October 1. We have pumpkins on our kitchen table, candy corn in our cabinets, and I've already started planning my costume. Nothing's better than spooky fun that supports a great cause, so I was super excited to hear about Feed's latest collaboration.

Feed co-founders Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson recently teamed up with the Home Shopping Network to create a chic Trick-or-Treat tote benefiting UNICEF. The bag, sold on HSN.com retails for $13.20 with $3.50 from each purchase going toward UNICEF nutrition programs-enough to supply a child with micronutrient powder for one year. 

Readers--Do you have Halloween plans?

                                                           

Fiona Weir

From Scotland, living in Cork

Jacket: Topshop
Dress: Mango
Cardigan: Topshop
Bag: Zara
Shoes: Topshop
Ring: Miss Selfridge

Aoife Maher

Cork

Necklace: Positively Vintage

Scarf: London

Cardigan, top, jeans & boots: All Saints (Brown Thomas)

Spotlight on Winston-Salem: Breakfast of Course (Mary's Too)

This past weekend was parents weekend here at Wake Forest, and it was a whirlwind of activity. Between sorority events, a football game, and a family trip to Old Salem, my parents and I barely had time to eat! When we finally took a breather, Breakfast of Course, the new location of Winston-Salem favorite Mary's of Course, satisfied our hunger pangs with a healthy serving of comfort food in an artsy atmosphere.

The Trade Street restaurant opened in June of 2010 when the Mary's of Course location could no longer adequately serve its hoards of hungry patrons. "Mary's Too" occupies a larger, slightly less eclectic space, and maintains different hours, but its large portions, friendly service, art-covered walls are definitely reminiscent of the original eatery. 

After a lengthy perusal of the brunch menu, I finally settled on an egg scramble with bacon, spinach and cheddar cheese accompanied by sourdough toast and hashbrowns for $9.50. This scrambled egg dish was large enough for two people, but that didn't stop me from trying to finish it myself. Simple yet satisfying, the build-your-own options at Breakfast of Course are they way to go if you're looking for an individually tailored breakfast experience. With a list of over 40 "elements" to customize your scramble, omelet or eggs benedict, these menu options ensure your plate will arrive cooked to your specifications.

My mom ordered a more refined scramble with goat's cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, while my dad opted for the "apple butter baby" sandwich, a house specialty, pictured above. On my next trip to BoC, I hope to try some of their "punny" menu options, which include the Breakfast Club, a BLT sandwich with fried egg, avocado and pesto and the Full Monte Cristo, a ham, turkey and cheese sandwich served on french toast.

Overall, the food was wonderful and well-worth the 45-minute wait. I highly recommend the restaurant to Wake Students, tourists and Winston-Salem residents alike!

Breakfast of Course is located at 723 Trade Street, Winston and is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.

For more images of my visit to Breakfast of Course, click below:

Catherine Murphy

Bishopstown

Top: It’s my friend’s!

Leggings: River Island

Shoes: Penney's

Clutch bag: Penney's

Venomous Villains Collaboration is Finally Here

Can you believe it's already October? Somehow, I missed yesterday's official launch of Disney's collaboration with Mac Cosmetics, but I could not be more excited that "Venomous Villains" is finally available for purchase.

The collection, which includes nail polish, powder, blush, lipstick, gloss and eyeshadow in shades representative of  the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Maleficient from Sleeping Beauty, Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog and Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmations is currently available both in MAC stores and on their website.

With devilish names like “Toxic Tale” (a deep red lipstick) and “Oh So Fair” (a pale powder), and prices ranging from $12-30, I'm tempted to pick up several new additions to my beauty regimen. Here are the products I'm loving:

Heartless Lipstick inspired by Cruella de Vil ($15.50) 

 

 Oh So Fair Beauty Powder inspired by the Evil Queen ($25, but currently sold out online)

Formidable! Nail Lacquer inspired by Maleficent ($13, but currently sold out online)

My Dark Magic Eyeshadow Duo inspired by Maleficent ($21, but currently sold out online)

 Readers, will you be shopping the Disney/Mac collaboration? Who's your favorite villain? 

Don't forget...

Warehouse on Patrick St. reopens today, 4pm - see you there!

The Cork News has teamed up with Warehouse to offer three lucky readers the chance to win a €100 voucher to spend in the slick new Patrick St. store - don't miss today's Cork News Style pages to find out how to enter!

Louise Hall

Monkstown

Jacket: Penneys

Dress: Penneys

Boots: New Look

Cardigan: Topshop