Orla Kerbey blogs at www.graciesbakes.com and gave me heaps of advice when I first gave running a go.  She’s training for the Dublin City Marathon this year (and running in aid of    www.ispcc.ie) , so I’ve asked her to share her top running essentials with us.

Running is the cheapest sport you could ever start. But it can also become the most expensive one too. There are endless amounts of kit, runners that help you run faster and further, and watches that can tell if you are the next Sonia O Sullivan. And all of these bits and pieces can really add up.

I have been running for about 7 years, and it is highly addictive. Whether you are training for your first 5 km, or your 5th marathon (yours truly) you will soon realise that other runners don’t care what you are wearing, or whether your trainers are “this season” or not.

However, there are some pieces of equipment that I think every runner should have and should invest in. But beware – running is highly addictive and soon words like performance, wicking and compression will soon work their way into your vocabulary!

Sports bra

First things first – taming your ta-tas! Yes – a sports bra!!! If you only invest in one piece of running gear this year, make it a good sports bra. According to Oprah, about 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. So ladies, do yourself a favour and get yourself into your local department or lingerie store and get measured properly. If you are wearing the wrong size bra day today, you will end up wearing the wrong size sports bra.

I popped into Arnotts a while back and the wonderful ladies there measured me and I was wearing the wrong size. I have been wearing the Shock Absorber Run (€47.50  nationwide)  for a while now and it is by far the most comfortable, and secure bra I have ever worn – no more movement.

Running socks

Next on my list, I would recommend a good pair of running socks. Trainer liners are my particular favourite as I can’t stand the feeling of anything around my ankles when I run. These literally line your runners but there are plenty of other options. I would recommend though that which ever ones you buy are fitted around the arch and top of your foot with not much looseness around the toes or ankle. If there is any loose fabric, it could cause rubbing or gathering in your runners resulting in a dreaded blister!

I wear the Hilly Twin Skin Socklets (€14) which have 2 layers in them. They are available on the Irish Fit webstore – a little pricey but totally worth it.  Your lack of blisters will speak for itself!

Running shoes

Next up on the list is trainers. As you get more into running and your mileage increases, it is worth investing in a good, structured pair of trainers. Pop into your local running store and ask them for gait analysis. Now this isn’t secret code something kinky runners do – it is simply when you are filmed running on a treamill from the back in your bare feet. It is then played back in slow motion to see how your feet land. It will let you know if you have a neutral footstrike, or if you over or under pronate. That is whether you land on the inside or outside of your feet. They will then recommend a suitable pair of trainers for you. You shouldn’t pay for this service but you also shouldn’t be pressured into a purchase. I had my gait checked a couple of years back and I know what suits me.

I head to Kildare Village where there is a great Nike, Reebok and most recently Asics stores. I wear Asics GT 2150 and buy them in Kildare Village for less than €60 a pair. They usually retail at €120 so they are amazing value!

Your kit and running gear is completely a personal choice. Look around the sales – again Kildare Village is excellent for bargains. TK Maxx is also super for picking up running specific shirts, shorts and capri pants. Try to stick to non cotton fabrics – cotton will only hold moisture causing chafing and rubbing which leads to blisters and soreness. Look for key words like Dry Fit  and Wicking on swing labels.

Beauty

From the beauty side of things, the one thing I never leave the house without is sunscreen. Your face is out there exposed to the elements, wind and UV rays. Look for one that is designed for sports. Boots have a number of different choices that are reasonably priced. I can’t recommend one for your skin type so use your best judgement. I wear SPF 25 Anti Ageing Moisturiser from Clinique. It stays still for me during a run – but others may find it greasy.

Now that you are all decked out for your run with your fancy new trainers, and non jiggly boobs, and as you work towards your training goal your mileage will increase consistently. As you stretch carefully after your run, you will have little aches and niggles in your calves, quads and glutes (that’s your bum!) and it is lovely to be able to treat yourself – not with chocolate – but with some lovely De stress Muscle Bath and Shower Oil, followed up with some De Stress Muscle Gel from Aromatherapy Associates (available from Pink Beauty Emporium Dundrum and  aromatherapyassociates.com).

I am particularly taken with the gel (150ml, £21) which contains Rosemary, Black Pepper and Ginger.  When massaged into aching muscles it cools and relaxes releasing tension in aching muscles and joints. One sniff and I am instantly calmed.

Running is my therapy. It clears my head and makes me feel good. I feel that I can achieve anything I want. This autumn I will run my 5th marathon in Dublin City. But after that, I will continue to run because it makes me feel good. I hope you keep running too – whether it’s a mile or 26.2.

Orla Kerbey has been running for 7 years and blogs at www.graciesbakes.com – which is the very reason that she runs. She will be running her 5th marathon, the Dublin City Marathon in October this year in aid of the ISPCC. If you would like to run any distance in aid of the ISPCC, visit www.ispcc.ie and sign up!

We’ve noticed a slew of taste makers wearing pointed lizard-print shoes of late – giving their tailored suits or separates outfits a feminine twist with their shoes.

Take Elisabeth Olsen for one. The younger sibling of the Olsen twins is lucky enough to wear all her sister’s designs and here she wears two of their collections, a burgundy velvet suit by The Row and a pair of Lexington sunglasses by Elizabeth and James, the line that the twins named after Elisabeth and her brother. And the shoes she chose to add a touch of femininity to her otherwise masculine suit look? Jimmy Choo snakeskin Lewis shoes.

Then there’s the queen of polished looks herself Olivia Palermo, who, on a recent publicity trip to Kildare Village wore a Reiss blazer and bag, COS skinnies and some snakeskin pointy shoes by L.A.M.B , Gwen Stefani’s label.

Where to buy

Pointed court shoes are back with a bang this season so you’ll see them in all the shops and there’ a pair for every budget. Three styles we like are:

Jimmy Choo at Brown Thomas and Harvey Nichols €550

Kurt Geiger dragon sling backs €225

Penney’s snakeskin nude courts €10

As you know from our post earlier this week, Olivia Palermo hit Kildare Village outlet shopping earlier this week (check out the article for a lowdown on what she wore).

Here’s a behind the scenes video of what she got up to and where she shopped! To watch it, just click on the arrow in the image above. Enjoy!

On Saturday last, WhatSheWears popped along to the launch of John Minihan’s film photography exhibition, A Celebration of Film Photography, which is now showing at Kildare Village.

Minihan, one of Ireland’s most celebrated photographers has shot portraits of everyone from Samuel Beckett in a cafe in Paris to Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Michey Rourke and Yves Saint Laurent’s London boutique opening in 1969. He even shot that iconic photo of Lady Diana Spencer in the 80s holding a child with another grasping her leg.

“A Celebration of Film Photography” runs until the end of May and entry is free of charge.  All images are available to buy from €500 and are printed on acid free art paper which means they are lightfast for 100 years to come.

What She Ate: Goats cheese canapés
What She Drank: Coffee
Who Was There: Stefano Crescenzi and Eileen Dunne of one of the fine Italian eateries, Dunne & Crescenzi’s & L’Officina.

See who was there in the gallery below

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As the Chanel show closed at Paris Fashion Week today, it was quite apt that Irish fashion editors and journalists were treated to a showcase of Louise Kennedy’s spring summer collection, in the opulent surrounds of the designer’s Georgian townhouse in Merrion square, Dublin.

Kennedy’s signature tailoring and Chanel-esque bucle jackets is the reason that women invest in her pieces and for this collection the designer added Hollywood glamour to her ever-elegant style, using Grace Kelly and Jackie O as inspiration.

The line is full of Hollywood glamour and elegance – think Grace Kelly in “To Catch a Thief” – with vivid colour blasts of buttercup yellow, hot pink and pastels with delicate lace, finely woven metallic tweed and embellished jacket collars.

Indeed Grace Kelly loved her lace, and there’s lots of it present here. In fact it’s sourced from the same French lace house that supplied the lace for the bodice, skirt and veil for Kate Middleton’s Royal Wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton.

It’s not just ornate bucle jackets and fine tailoring that you’ll find at Louise Kennedy though,  as there is plenty for the younger woman here too. Her sparkly white beaded dresses can be worn alone or with a tux jacket and stylist AnnMarie O’Connor couldn’t wait to get her hands on a pair of the black “disco pants”, which make for an alternative take on eveningwear dressing.

The asymmetrical maxis are exquisite (pictured above left) and I can imagine them being worn by the gliteratti on the Amalfi Coast with Grecian style metallic sandals and large sunglasses.

Louise Kennedy wedding dresses have a vintage feel to them and the bridal fitting room itself is a sight to behold.  My favourite was the “Melanie” (pictured above right) – a floor length dress with full-length lace sleeves, which was named after the design for IMAGE editor Melanie Morris’ wedding dress, who got married recently in a blush pink version of the dress.

So if you’re looking for luxurious, statement pieces by an Irish designer,  then Louise Kennedy will add an air of ladylike sophistication to your wardrobe.

Prices

Jackets start at €695

Dresses from €595

Wedding dresses POA

Crista Black trousers “disco pants” €350

SEE THE HAIRSTYLES FROM THE SHOW UP CLOSE

Availability: Louise Kennedy is sold at 56 Merrion Square and Brown Thomas Dublin, at 9 West Halkin St, London and at the Louise Kennedy outlet shop at Kildare Village.

See our images of the press preview in the gallery below.

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There’s something about the onslaught of a new season that makes us want to play with our beauty routines. Bored with our winter clothes (baggy jumpers and tights must go soon mustn’t they?) but not quite ready to dive into summer dresses, this time of year always inspires us to think of other ways to mix up our daily look. Luckily there are lots of new beauty & skincare items and emporiums on the market, which make this easy to do.

Nivea Pure & Natural Toner €4.99

Beauty buffs were all over Moroccan argan oil last year, thanks to its intense moisturising properties. Now you can get it built into your skincare regime with an affordable face, body and lips range from Nivea, called Pure & Natural. We’re currently using the facial toner.

Crabtree & Evelyn Outlet

India Hicks, Prince Charles goddaughter and interiors guru who lives in the Caribbean, has collaborated with luxury beauty label Crabtree & Evelyn to create “Island Living” – a body care and home scents collection which you can check out the newly opened outlet store at Kildare Village.

Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm €42

This rose-infused cleansing balm comes with a muslin cloth and gently yet thoroughly melts away dirt and make-up, including waterproof mascara.  We’ve tried it for the past month and it’s left our skin feeling calm while conditioning brows and lashes. Available at Arnotts.

Lancôme Flash Bronzer Anti-Age €35.00

This cult self-tanning product now comes with a built in SPF 15. So now you can get a natural, even and gorgeous glow without the aging affects of daily sun exposure. A must-have, we say.

St. Tropez’s Dark Instant Glow Body Lotion €17.50

Forget pale and interesting, those looking for a bronzed glow will welcome this new dark shade of wash off tan from tanning supremos St Tropez.  Previously only available in “natural-looking glow”, it can be removed with soap and water at the end of the night. 

Rebel Nails Cheetah for Fingers €9 (not pictured)

Beyonce, Victoria Beckham and Leona Lewis are just a few celebrity fans of nail art.  And while a professional nail art manicure at WAH nails in Harvey Nics will set you back approx €40, Rebel Nails offers a DIY option with self-adhesive, nail covers which don’t require drying time or glue.  Available from the new beauty store at Littlewoods.ie.

I always remember my first Furla experience. It was circa 2003; I was living in Madrid at the time and used to walk passed the Furla shop on Calle Lagasca (near the main drag of designer shops) on my way to Starbucks and oogle at the leather handbags in the window display.

Some time later, I went on a city break to Rome with my sister, and came across them again on Via Condotti. This time I felt and smelled the butter-softness of the Italian leather and duly made my sister buy a black Furla bag which she has worn as her work bag since.

So, of course, I was thrilled to find out that there’s a Furla outlet shop just opened in Kildare Village, which means delicious discounts on these bags and clutches!

All three SS10 Furla bags pictured are available at Kildare village. The RRP of the teal blue bag is €415 but at the outlet store it costs €205!  I’ll have one of those please.

Furla Boutique

Kildare Village, Kildare, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Phone: +353 45 520 679

Image credit: Furla

Top British model and muse of Anya Hindmarch, Poppy Delevigne celebrated the launch of the newly located Anya Hindmarch handbag boutique at Kildare Village last week.

The boutique was transformed into a pop-up tea room for the day for a special group of handpicked guests to devour the season’s collections.

The tea room featured bespoke cakes created by Clodagh McKenna and inspired by Anya’s most iconic bags.

The Anya Hindmarch boutique at Kildare Village is now offering discerning shoppers up to 70% off luxurious arm candy.

The designer behind the label, Anya Hindmarch herself, along with Tamara Mellon (Jimmy Choo founder) has been appointed International Fashion Diplomat by the British Prime Minister, with the mission to promote British Fashion around the world. Now that’s what we call a cool job!

The men in our lives have been neglected of late on WhatSheWears.ie, so it’s time to give you, dear reader, some tasters for what to put in his Christmas or birthday stocking.

From the exclusive London locations of Sloane and Jermyn Street, where this luxe British designer label started out, Hackett menswear has opened an outlet boutique in Ireland at Kildare Village .

Hackett is all about the spirit of rugby, rowing and car racing in a collection which goes back generations. The “gentlemen’s outfitters”, as they like to be called, is both traditional and modern (think “back in vogue country tweed”), stylishly tailored suits and shirts, through to chunky knitwear.

For a smart suit for your man, you’d pay €750 in Hackett in the UK, but at the outlet in Kildare Village you’ll pay €500.  Favourites from their current outlet stock include this check shirt (pictured, RRP 120 Euro, now 80 Euro) and these fabulous leather gloves pictured, (RRP 150 Euro, now 100 Euro) which also come in butter soft brown leather (80 Euro).

And the best thing about new shop openings are the discounts that come with them. Until Sunday 29 August there will be an additional 30% off all stock, and from 30 August ‘til 05 September there are even more savings with an additional 20% off. Suits you sir.

Hackett , 21-26 South Anne Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 6770429

Hackett Outlet, Unit 12, Nurney Road Kildare Village, Kildare Town. Tel: 045 520520

Elizabeth Hurley Beach is a Women’s beachwear, swimwear and accessories previously only available in such high end establishments in the UK such as Harrods and Selfridges. It’s also sold in uber glam hotel shops in the One and Only Resort Reehi Rah in the Maldives, Amanpuri in Thailand and Cotton House in Mustique.

Elizabeth Hurley Beach opened it’s only Irish shop today in good old fashioned ribbon cutting style and Hurley herself was on hand to help customers for two hours.

Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth owns the company and is quite involved in the day to day running of it from designing to sourcing the fabrics; she also models the collections on the website www.elizabethhurley.com, where she looks AMAZING!

Interesting fact – I met a former employee of hers recently, who is under a disclosure agreement and couldn’t give me much detail about her but did say that she is lovely to work for and hates the way the paparazzi call her “Liz” Hurley and not Elizabeth. “It’s like calling Victoria Beckham “Posh” to her face.” I’d often have referred to her as Liz so I’m calling her Elizabeth from now on…you know, just on the off chance for when I meet her in person!

The collection

Fans of the collection include Heidi Klum and Kate Moss (you can just imagine the uber glam one pieces on the likes of Cheryl Cole too) and prices start at €77 for a bikini and €95 (down from €144) for a kaftan.
Bikini tops and bottoms are sold separately, so you can mix and match sizes and styles. The tankini tops come in the same fabric as the bikinis.

Sizes come in XS, S, M, L and XL which is not ideal unless you’re a standard cup-size. There don’t appear to be any under wired styles either which means that this collection is out for you if you’re in any way bigger on top and need some support.

Not a bikini lover?

For those of us without Elizabeth Hurley’s body, try the tankini (pictured here on her) or a kaftan, which are more appealing for most of us. I’m always on the lookout for Kaftans with embellishment so my favourite piece from the collection is this silk Raj Kaftan in red (€472). Here’s wishing I could have it!

Cutler & Gross sunglasses

Otherwise try a fab pair of sunglasses. I was very excited to learn that the boutique also stocks Cutler & Gross sunglasses – exclusive to Elizabeth Hurley Beach Boutique.

Victoria Beckham is a huge fan and the Cutler & Gross 0811 style (costing approx €460) is one of the few non DVB (her own brand) sunnies that she wears. She’s even collaborated with the brand for her own sunglasses collection so they must be good! This is the king of big sunnies and I’d recommend this style for non bling loving advanced sunglasses wearers only.

Opening Times

The Elizabeth Hurley Beach Boutique (Telephone 045 520501) will be open throughout the summer at Kildare Village.  Kildare Village is open seven days a week and has late night shopping on Thursday until 8pm and Friday until 7pm.

The shop also stocks Philip Treacy hats so should have a big allure for race day goers trying to stand out on Ladies Days around the country.

Images of shop launch : Kieran Harnett

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