Remember when I got that amazingly generous gift box from Accessorize? Well, I decided to hold off on some of the items to give away at just the right time–like now. Here’s what you could win. Crazily Paisley Neon Tassel Scoop Bag, Kimono Doll Pendant, Flower Fairy Crystal Webbed Ring, Mauritiaus Cluster Ring

Here’s the deal. I was supposed to go on some amazing sun holiday this wear. Feel the sand beneath my toes, swim in warm ocean water, drink cocktails with little umbrellas…you get the idea. Instead, I’m having a baby. I’m fine with the trade off, but it doesn’t mean I can’t pine away for some beach time while I have my own unique ’summer of love’

The S/S10 collection at Accessorize is fab. I plan on stocking up on a few cute things and having my own stay-cation in my back yard. But I want to know how you plan to spend your summer vacation.

To enter the contest, tell me: What’s the perfect accessory for the perfect summer holiday?

In the comments leave:

• Your name
• Email address (will be erased after you enter)
• Website/twitter handle (if you have one)
• Your favourite Accessorize item and where you’d wear it

Contest closes on Wednesday, May 12. Open to anyone, anywhere!

@24 WeeksΞ On one of those rare sunny, warm Irish days we dropped all our plans and headed over to a friends for a BBQ. It was essential that I change from post-yoga sweats into something cool, comfy and bright. You never know when you can bust out a sleeveless dress in Dublin, so I take every chance I can to soak up that vitamin D!

These shots were quick as we headed out the door (after making a yummy salad full of fresh veg from the Ranelagh Village Market), but you get the idea. I got this dress during my San Francisco trip at Old Navy for $15. It’s perfect maternity style to give you room to grow your bump–elasticated empire waist, lots of gathering and jersey. I wish we had a shop like Old Navy here to supply good, cheap, basic maternity items. Prices at some Irish shops make me sad. So American mamas-to-be (or gals with US connections), be sure to check out your local ON for summer essentials.

1. Vintage Glass Flowers Brass Earrings ($44) from Balanced on Etsy

2. Vintage 1960s Bright Yellow Handbag ($24) from Anna Carina Vintage on Etsy

3. Hot Pink Paper Suitcases ($11.50-$15) from Pink Loves Brown

4. The Brightside Dress ($59.99) from Modcloth

5. Vintage Mustard Yellow Phone ($35) from adVintagous on Etsy

6. Octopus Wrapping Paper ($7.95) from Paper Source

7. Ditsy Print & Polka Dot Trilby (£17) from Accessorize

♥♥All:: Dress: Gap, Pumps: Rocket Dog at Office ♥♥ 1:: Oatmeal drape cardigan: Penneys ♥ Maternity Tights: Berkshire at Mom’s the Word Palo Alto ♥ Harem Embellished Carnival Rings Necklace: Courtesy of Accessorize ♥♥ 2:: Gold Obi Belt: Instant Vintage, Bath ♥ Teal & Purple Beaded Necklace: Courtesy of Accessorize ♥ Leggings: Gap ♥♥ 3:: White Skinny Belt: Vintage, Dublin Flea ♥ Long Black Boyfriend Cardigan: Penneys♥ Tights: Berkshire♥ Bluebell Corsage Necklace: Courtesy of Accessorize ♥

@18 WeeksΞ Work wear

You’ve seen this amazing necklace before and I’ve worn it tons with dresses, tunics, jeans and tshirts. Even though it is pretty bold, it seems to blend seamlessly into my wardrobe. I’ve always worn it with really colourful outfits, but I think it really pops against the neutral black and oatmeal. If you’re still not ready to tell the entire world about your pregnancy, a great necklace like this will draw all attention up and away from the baby bump.

@18 WeeksΞ For a dinner party

These photos aren’t the best because I got dressed about five minutes before our guests arrived. That’s the best part about simple accessories that pack a big punch–you can look really pulled together without putting too much effort into it. Any type of wrap or tied belt is a must for expecting gals. You get the great look of wide, waisted belts but can adjust it to fit. I found a few weeks ago that elastic belts were starting too get a bit uncomfortable. As of the time of posting, this necklace isn’t available online, but the Tropical Soul Bead Necklace is a close alternative. Actually, I might have to get it!

@20 Weeks Ξ Lunch Date and Meetings Around Town

On this occasion, I was running around town to meetings and a lunch date, so I wanted to look professional and stand out a bit. The skinny belt and corsage necklace give the look mod feel. If I wasn’t crisscrossing the Liffey, I probably would have worn my knee high boots. I also wore a long black cardigan for the office, but it wasn’t that cute in the pics. I love that the corsage necklace falls just at the neckline. Even though I’ve worn this dress a lot, gals in the office thought it was new and that the rosettes were part of the dress.
If you haven’t seen this necklace around, you just haven’t been looking hard enough. It has turned up on a ton of blogs and magazine spreads lately. You can get yours online here.

NOTE: This post is not at all sponsored by Accessorize. They just sent me a bunch of stuff that I really, really like and think you’d like too.

For a festive mince pie and mulled wine party I decided to break out my two favourite new items from Accessorize, the Oversize Woven Clutch and the preppy pearl necklace. I’ve been in the market for a gold clutch for well over a year, but am very picky. This bag is perfect and I probably would have bought it if I’d seen it first! And the necklace is too cute. I adore little bows and pearls and thought the navy shift would be a perfect match. Since it is the holidays, I added some ruby red tights and added a longer strand of pearls to give it a little more glam.

On Saturday morning we were up early for a quick trip to Kildare Village for some last minute Christmas shopping. This was my first trip out there, and I’d heard it was a posh outlet mall so I thought I’d attempt to dress the part. The outfit really centred around the cute tea cup and spoon necklace from Accessorize. Isn’t it adorable. The hubby has taught me the art of a good cup of tea and I love all the Accessorize pendants, so it really is the perfect necklace for me! To play up the classy ladies who lunch look, I wore my thrifty €1 pin stripe dress with a cropped blazer and soft pink pashmina. Nice outfit, but one essential item was missing…a coat! It’s very cold to shop outside in the snow without a coat or socks.

Now, it was only a quick trip to Kildare Village so I may need to take a visit during a comfortably temperatured time period to make a full assessment…but I was slightly underwhelmed. There are some great shops that are either missing or slightly cheaper than the high street (Cath Kitson, Levis) but some places were priced the same as the high street. Guess I just drive too hard a bargain. My only purchase for me was a pair of necessary black earmuffs for €7.50 from Accessorize (note: grey, white or brown were €25, same as the high street) because after all my Christmas shopping, I am…

(Po Lauren, get it?)

♥ Circle Statement Necklace: Courtesy of Accessorize ♥ Blue Dress as Tunic: Tesco ♥ Black Cardigan: Dunnes ♥ Jeans: Wallace ♥ Boots: Jones ♥ Orange Resin Bangle: Aldo ♥

The first piece I had to test out from my Accessorize gift box was the amazing circle statement necklace. Holy cow this necklace is a show stopper. I’ve been wanting to buy a necklace like this for a while, but indecision plagues me all the time. This one is prefect and can easily dress up the simplest outfits. I pulled this together for a day at the office followed by a casual Christmas party. I thought the jewel tone blue dress brought out the orange and golds. You may remember the dress from here, I rolled it up at the waist to turn it into a shorter tunic over my now ubiquitous jeggings and really let the necklace be the centre of attention. Oh yeah, how do you like my new fringe?

]]> http://stylebynumbers.info/2009/12/accessorize-outfit-no-1/feed/ 0 http://stylebynumbers.info/2009/12/christmas-came-early-thanks-accessorize/ http://stylebynumbers.info/2009/12/christmas-came-early-thanks-accessorize/#comments Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:50:27 +0000 laurendare http://stylebynumbers.info/?p=983 Twas the week before Christmas

And all through the house

Every creature was stirring

Frantically clicking a mouse

No stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Simply because no chimney was there

While I longed to be tucked all snug in my bed

Loads of work was to be done instead

Just when I thought my Christmas spirit was zapped

I received a cute package that was even gift wrapped

I’d been asked a while ago through my blog chatter

To try out some products to see what would flatter

When the huge box arrived I was beaming with pride

Excited to see the treasures found inside

Squeals of delight were to be heard all around

Because the shiny, pretty things sure did astound

So I must extend thanks to the kind folks at Accessorize

For sending so many lovely things that certainly did surprise!

Last week, as you may have figured out, I received a rather large package from Accessorize. When they asked me if I’d like to sample some products last month, I kind of assumed I’d just get a hair clip and coin purse. But what I got was a treasure chest of goodies from one of my favourite shops that will certainly challenge Santa for awesomeness. Inside my rather large parcel, I found two big gift boxes with lots of goodies wrapped up in bright tissue paper. The folks at Accessorize must have gone to a lot of effort to prepare these blogger gifts, so thank you thank you thank you!

Now, before I show you what’s inside. I have to say a little bit about Accessorize (and no, none of this is prompted or sponsored). I really love this store (and the clothing version, Monsoon). When I first came across the pond in 2003, I fell in love and really missed it when I returned to the States. There really is no equivalent of quality, trendy, well priced accessories. Seriously, what else is there in the US? Claire’s? That place has nothing in Accessorize. Now that I’m back in Ireland, it is my first stop when I need a little pick me up (charm necklaces are cheaper than lunch) or something unique for a wedding (by far the most extensive collection of pretty clutches).

So here’s what I got!

Well American gals, your long winter is over. Accessorize is coming state side with some fab pieces from the SS10 collection to brighten you up. The range of collections is great, so there’s bound to be something for everyone and every occasion–from the city to the beach and everywhere in between. You can order all this and more from Accessorize.com

And of course I’ll be wearing a lot of the loot in the next few days!

Dress: Monsoon (on sale–always buy Monsoon on sale!)

Wrap: Pennys

Shoes: Elizabeth Arden at DSW (Boston, DTX)

Peacock Clip: Lulu*s

Bracelet: Etsy (gift from hubby)

Love Ring: Accessorize

Black Clutch: Vintage, gift from grandmother

Dress: Zara (from the Down Syndrome Centre Buy My Dress Sale…read about it  here

Tank: Victoria’s Secret

Shoes: Schuh

Necklace: Accessorize