Add a bit of pop to your life

One of the reasons the summer is so great is all the events, festivals and general activity that takes place in Cork city and county.

One such event that I’m particularly excited about is the Design Pop festival taking place on 17-19 May in various locations around Cork city. It pairs six designers with six food and drink producers in six pop-up pavilions.

Design Pop is the brainchild of architect Amy McKeogh and seeks to highlight design talent and innovation as well as creating a link with our local food and drink producers to give the public an interesting and enjoyable food trail.

I went along to the launch and was impressed with the plans for these pavilions with the likes of Soma Coffee pairing up with designer Conor Merriman to create an interactive pavilion in Bishop Lucey Park and artist Shane O’Driscoll teaming up with Banana Melon Kitchen. Clear your calendar that weekend because it is one festival you don’t want to miss!

Aside from planning my calendar of summer events that I’m going to go to, I’m also currently feeling in a clothing no mans land. I’m quite simply sick of winter stuff and layering up has become a chore but there’s the small matter of not wanting to be cold and the slight monsoon we’re experiencing.

I’m in no way feeling like buying any new clothes so I’m really trying to breathe new life into what I already own with some styling tricks.

One outfit combination I’m finding handy at the moment is to pair a graphic t-shirt with a more formal, tailored trouser and add a leather jacket and white converse. This is mainly because I still can’t be bothered to apply fake tan and so this does the trick up covering up my pasty/almost purple body while still looking somewhat stylish.

I bought quite a few statement tees last year so I’m becoming reacquainted with those again. However if you’re in the market for some new ones Zara and M&S are doing a strong line with nice quality to them.

When trying to breath new life into one's wardrobe, you can never underestimate the power of the accessory and so with the current trend for all things headbands, I’ve been digging out my silk scarves from the back of the wardrobe and fashioning them either on my head with a dramatic pair of sunglasses or worn around the neck in a neckerchief fashion.

I’m either channeling an old school Hollywood diva or a Pan Am air hostess from the sixties but you’d be surprised the difference this can make to a simple light knit and jeans look. On the topic of light knits I’m also adding some fitted cardigans into my wardrobe which is something I thought I’d never say but when paired with a denim skirt or with a pair of straight leg jeans they can look pretty cool.

The fitted cardigan has toiled in the fashion doldrums for many a season and was the preserve of office workers needing an extra layer in the face of an over-zealous air conditioning system but at last it’s come into its own again.

Wear buttoned up and fitted and if you really want to go all out go for a dramatic colour contrast with your trousers. They also give a vintage '90s vibe when worn buttoned over a slip dress and paired with chunky boots or trainers. The trusty cardigan also keeps you warm which is a practical bonus to me so cast aside your misgivings and add a cardie to your wardrobe.