♥ Sweet sun dress: Thrifted, Lucy’s Lounge♥ Trench: GapMaternity ♥ Grey Leggins: Gap ♥ Rasberry Chucks: Converese, Urban Outfitters Harvard Sq Bargain Basement ♥ Dusty pink bangle: Funky Monkey (at the bottom of Grafton St) ♥

@21 WeeksΞ I found this great little sun dress at Lucy’s Lounge a few weeks ago for €15. It’s originally from River Island (with tags still on for a whopping €65) and a size 10, just going to show that you have to think outside the box in maternity wear. I love the criscrossed straps (like I’ll ever bare my shoulders around here!) and the little ruffle at the end to make it sweet and girlie.

On this particular day it was windy, but warm if you caught the sun. We were out all day, so I knew I needed my trench with me (you’ll hardly find me without it these days). So, I rolled up my sleeves and buttoned my coat to the side to show off my dress. To maternity-ize the dress, I pulled up the elastic waist to just below my bust, letting the top blouse over (giving my tummy room). Post maternity, I’ll wear it as it naturally falls with a wide belt or sash.

I’m not always a fan of sneakers with dresses, but we were running all around town and I needed good shoes for my tired feet. Plus, the pink is pretty cute.

There’s an insane amount of stuff in this little basement–housewares, jewelry, hats, mens, womens, you name it. It’s a really fun place to have a nose around. Check it out if you’re in town (from 1pm-6pm only). I found a really cute summer dress that fits for now and will fit even better post-baby, and a cute tiny crossover bag inspired by Jess’s new Coach bag on WIW, but much much cheaper. Here’s a sneak peak…

♥ Brand new super soft Piglet ♥ Antique tin with nursery rhymes illustrations ♥ Old travel Monopoly game, Irish version with most pieces ♥ Bambi & Robin Hood DVDs ♥

The Harold’s Cross Carboot Sale is a great assortment of this and that, from people cleaning out their closets to regular carbooters with proper antiques (and maybe a few things that fell off the back of a truck). If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a look…you’ll never know what treasures you might uncover. For people with kids, there were tons of sellers with brand new toys and lots of books and DVDs. I kind of love that or first gifts for the baby came from a carboot sale. This kid is going to be raised to love to thrift! He’ll be rad.

♥ Cropped black and cream striped cardigan: H&M, Thrifted from Enable Ireland ♥ Favourite LBJerseyDress: Old Navy ♥ Black braided belt: Dunnes ♥ Black leather boots: Jones ♥ Plus lots of ridiculous layers underneath ♥

This outfit wasn’t quite the showstopper I expected it to be, but I liked it enough to post. I think I’ll really love this cardigan during my annual return to nautical style around May of each year (seriously, it’s like clockwork and the only way to get me out of the phase is to take me on a boat!) I found the sweater at Enable Ireland for €4 on the same trip that produced my fiesta dress and treasure box. It’s cropped, boxy and a very heavy knit. I like it, but am having trouble styling it just right. I tried it on with my American Apparel jersey skirt and it looked really cute (a la Alexa Chung) but not work appropriate. I’ll keep remixing till I get it right.

Edit: After writing that I thought this sweater looked like Alexa Chung, I decided to see if she ever actually did wear it…and wouldn’t you know it, she has. I also found some great style inspirations from All This Happiness who totally kills this sweater as well as ton of other lovely vintagey looks. Looking through her blog made me want to drink ice tea (or Pimms) out in a sunny field, a nice change of pace from Dublin!

(Alexa in my sweater via Allthishappiness)

You might as well add me to the Euro Value menu because I found this shirtdress for only €1 at the Goodwill Thrift Shop on Capel Street, long known as the fashion capital of Dublin (tounge firmly in cheek). Don’t ask me why I decided to wander down Capel St last Friday or why I decided to peak my head into Goodwill, but I did and emerged with this cute grey pinstripe shirtdress with pintucking and puffy sleeves–paid for with my last bits of change (I literally had to count out copper coins for this).

For a casual Saturday watching Spurs at the pub, I paired the dress with my jeggings and brown equestrian style boots, a grey cardigan, brown leather gloves found at Dublin Flea months ago (€5) and skinny brown belt. The look is classic equestrian and a bit Ralph Lauren. I’m also wearing my new broach (€10) from Dirty Fabulous Vintage at the An Taisce sale. It’s so pretty and blue and white for Spurs, but it is too soon to don the fleur-de-lis in Dublin?

I found so many amazing things at the Dublin Coop Flea Market last month, it was almost too good to be true. I went a bit mad bouncing from stall to stall collecting all my little treasures. There were several lovely people with amazing vintage jewelry at incredible prices. I also found some cute clothes in very good condition. I plan on doing a little homage to Kate Spade in the little red polka-dot pleated skirt (but I have to mend it first).

Flea markets are great because you never know what you’ll find. My hubby found the mini billiard balls–exactly what our little home was lacking!

Mark your calendar: the next Dublin flea is Oct 25. I’ll be there scouting anniversary presents!

Sweet little ensemble of some newly acquired duds. I was trying to soak every last sun ray from summer by pairing this vintage white linen pleated skirt with a cute calico cotton top. The skirt came from American Apparel’s vintage section (on the mezzanine of the Dublin store) They have some great finds at incredible reasonable prices. This was €22 and is in great condition. I got the top from Enable Ireland, Georges Street for €5. My favourite new piece is my ring from the Dublin Designer Market on Cows Lane. It was a steal for €18!

Skirt: American Apparel, Vintage Collection

Top: Enable Ireland

Shoes: Marks & Spencer

Ring: Cows Lane Designer Market

Skirt: Oxfam Vintage, Georges Street (€5, belt included! So I admit, they have some great stuff there)

Top: Super old from TJ Maxx I think

Tank: Free with July Elle UK

Necklace: Stand in the Boston University GSU, I saved up for weeks during my Freshman year to buy it for $20

Shoes: Super old again, but hardly worn from TJ Maxx for $10

Bag: Obligitory work bag from M&S

Like this amazing leather bag in perfect condition and totally necessary for the ubiquitous equestrian fall look.

And no more t-shirts for me! Time to smarten up my work attire with cute and interesting tops that will work well with skits, trousers or layered over dresses.

You never know what you’ll find in Dublin’s many charity shops, so keep you eyes open. Look for clean, quality items that you know you’ll use again. I try to go in with a colour or item in mind (clearly blue shirts were on order this week). Know your size and shape so that you don’t have to worry about trying things on.