Whether its the kitchen sink or just some lippy and a purse -the humble handbag is one of the most important accessories a girl can have for style and storage. Finding your everyday handbag is as important as finding your soul mate. You need a bag that you can rely on, a bag that goes from day to night, that has a compartment for your prized possessions...a bag that will see you through thick and thin. Personally I think a satchel style bag with a cross strap is always a good choice if have to walk any distance to work or if you need to spread the weight of the boulder of stuff you carry. The satchel is always a good 'hands free' type bag as you rarely need to hoist or adjust it as you travel. The bowler bag is also a comfortable everyday bag and if you choose the right handles you can carry them on the shoulder if you get tired of swinging it down that street! The more space you have in your full time bag the better as you can never be too prepared. And whether its zipper or button its essential to make sure your bag is pick-pocket proof!

Full time handbags that you use every day are definitely a vital part of any wardrobe but the part time handbag for those special occasion can be as disfunctional and over the top as you like. Clutch bags have maximum impact for style but trying to decide between your phone, purse or make up is not easy when you're packing that adorable little bag.Aside from the space aspect of a clutch they can also be a nightmare to mind but practicality isn't in this season anyways! Embroidered and embellished bags can bring an outfit to life and add a splash of glam where necessary. Pillarbox handbags are splendidly vintage and make for the perfect accessory to any evening gown. 

Sequins, beads and chainmail make for gloriously glamourous bags however make sure you have done sufficient training as they make for seriously heavy weights. When it comes to value for money Pennys always has a huge selection of bags for every occasion but if you are looking for something a bit different ebay.com or etsy.com are great and second hand shops almost always have cute leather bags that

One of my favourite things ever is a fringed piece of clothing. There's something extremely alluring about a fringed garment. I associate it with flapper old school glamour with a majestic movement of a shimmering fringe as it swishes side to side. I can never resist the urge to run my hand along that fringey goodness!! I purchased a pair on black fringed shorts in Topshop many moons ago mainly because they were reduced from crazy expensive to €18. The fringe is just on the bottom of the material unlike these entirely fringed shorts which are so pretty and very razzle dazzle.

The neat looped fringe has a hint of Great Gatsby about it and its perfect for any vintage look. Fringes are a full time job to maintain and you need to think very carefully about the environment in which you wear a fringe in as they get caught and pulled very easily. If the fringe is synthetic you can sometimes singe the end to keep it from fraying but if not you need to mind your fringe. The dip dyed fringe is more radical but fabulous nonetheless. Dip dyed fringe is great for bikinis and going out dresses and can add some excitement to ordinary piece.

Boots and bags are made all the more appealing with a nice fringe attached!Fringed boots or jackets they can look a bit wild west but cowboy chic is sometimes nice as long at you leave the stetson at home. Fringed shoulders are ideal for anyone who isn't a fan of their arms as their dainty draping makes the arm look more feminine. 

First things first I was so sad to see Lynda leave the Sewing Bee last night but I do think it was her time. It's going to be a very exciting final and I am hoping that Heather or Chinelo will take the title. It was another inspiring episode that gave me more ideas to get up and do something with all those old clothes I have that I need to upcycle! Anyhoo I have noticed that the shops are awash with check print at the moment. I am not quite sure how I feel about it just yet as I find it a little intimidating. Coloured check is something I approach with caution as I still have nightmares about Cher's crazy yellow check get up in Clueless which has recently been ressurected by Iggy Azelia.

As with any busy print I feel less is definitely more when it comes to check and especially if its coloured also. The pleated check skirt is a bit of a school girl throw back but it can still be nice when teamed with a plain top and no knee high socks! The skort (skirt + shorts) can also look very nice in tartan or neat check. A bit of celtic kilt-like chic is never a bad thing!

Pennys nearly always has a nice selection of soft check shirts that are perfect for a smart casual look. The check shirt goes with just about everything...denim short, jeans or leggings! And if you want check casual how about these bright vans which look seriously comfortable with their fleecy lining. Check is a versatile look that tranfers across all seasons or the Irish one season weather.

Its official...I am one hundred per cent addicted to the Great British Sewing Bee. I have spent every day since last Tuesday in a state of heightened anticipation for this week's episode. Everything about this programme is so darn watchable, the music is nostalgic, there's just the right amount of history and the challenges every week are excellent. Last week I was very sad to see last man standing David eliminated as it was refreshing to see the craft from the male perspective but there is still a group of lovely ladies left. I have a soft spot for Lynda as she has a fantastic sense of humor but I admire Chinelo's creativity and confidence and Heather's coat last week was my favourite garment in the show so far. On tonight's programme the contestants must make a dress out of a piece of fabric straight on to the manneqiun by draping it. I would imagine that Chinelo will shine in this task as she seldom uses patterns for her clothes anyway. 

I love the idea of being able to make your own dress and see it develop from conception to creation and it is so motivating to learn the tricks and techniques necessary. Here at When Poppy Met Daisy we have a few limited places left for this Sunday the 5th of April for our 'make a dress in a day' workshop. Its a really great opportunity to see how much you can do once you have the basic skills mastered. The satisfaction that comes from knowing you have created a garment exactly the way you wanted/imagined it is unparalleled. When you see what can be achieved from this charming craft its easy to fall in love with it.

Since starting the dressmaking class here I'm looking at clothes in a different light. I bought shoulder pads last week which I fully intend to customise/embellish with some of my gold sequins and beads. I can see potential in garments that used not to appeal to me. Choosing materials and trimmings is so much fun. I have been introduced to the world of haberdashery and I'm never leaving. Right now I am a  complete novice to the sewing scene but so far I'm HOOKED! I'll be posting photos of my dress as soon as its done and also my shoulder pads. 

This rabbit was clearly inspired by Chanel's supermarket runway theme!

Grannies the world over are rejoicing and so they should because crochet is now COOL! Growing up I was under the impression that crochet was a bit naff, a kind of 'susie homemaker' hobby and certainly not as enviable a skill as beadwork or sewing. Crochet has always seemed a bit like the less fortunate looking sister of lace...never quite enjoying the same fame and fortune. Crochet has a doyley like appearance which may be responsible for putting some people off in the past. However, crochet is perfect for a feminine, fun and summery look. The neon crochet necklace above is available from etsy.com and shows what a statement crochet can make in the right context.

This open back jumper from asos.com is a good example of how crochet works as sexy without being in your face flaunty. Crochet has a lovely aura of girlish charm thats means while it can be a bit showy it manages to do it with a touch of class. There a romanticism assocaited with the craftmanship and skill of crochet and the materials used to create it that I think lends itself to crochet garments being elegant by virtue of the history attached to crocheting. Crocheted waistcoats are filling the shops now also and have a hint of 70s thats goes great with denim flares for some casual chic. 

Taylor swifts oozes glamour in this femme fatale crochet creation. She has kept this look simple with minimal accessories as the beauty of crochet is that the intricate patterns and designs are stand alone statements and need very little to accentuate them. I have definitely found a space in my heart for this crochet trend and I was even more convinced when I discovered 'yarn bombing' or 'Guerilla crochet' (below) This craft take on graffiti and it is FABULOUS

Comic book style is here! Yes thats right its not naff or geeky anymore...it's cool! Graphic novels chic has now hit the shops and there is an abudance of attire with attitude. This cheeky chapter is fashion is bright and bold and its certainly packs a bunch...Kapow!!There is so much fun to be had with this look. You can easily go all out like Cherly in her batgirl dress below or just have a pinch of Pow with a cute accessory!

Its a simple style to pull of as long as you don't overdose on the prints and try to stick with one piece of comic strip rather than mixing it up too much. You want your outfit to Bang! not Splat! There are lots of comfy jumper available that just have one word comic phrases like Jessica' top above. There are a number of bags, scarves and lots ot jewelery you can add to a plain outfit to brighten it up. These creepers below are from chockersshoes.co.uk and are perfect to add a touch a quirk to an outfit. And if you really want to show your dedication to this look why not try graphic novel nails as available on ebay below. This trend is a nice, less serious side of fashion and gives everyone a chance to indulge their inner Big Bang Theory fan!

A scarf is a staple of most Irish womens' wardrobes. The humble scarf is one of the many tools we have for our less than predictable weather, it not only provides warmth for those teeth chatteringly cold days but it can also be used a makeshift hood for that ever looming Irish rain shower. If you have a big enough scarf you can even use it to wrap yourself up in cozy comfort. The divine cotton scarf below is from etsy.com and is €35.62 with a delivery charge of €5.94. 

Scarves are the ultimate accessory...both practical and fashionable. The snood is one of the best inventions yet and I would be surprised if it wasn't an Irish person that thought to combine the scarf and hood. The snood is like a stylish balaclava. A close relation of the snood is the infinity scarf (a scarf that is continuous, or without ends). These scarves can be looped around the neck or draped around the arms and are perfect to snuggle into when battling mother nature.

If you can't afford Hermes then there are plenty of worthy substitutes in the printed silk scarf range. A luscious coloured kerchief is the perfect way to add some old school glamour to block coloured outfits. Nautical and chain/rope prints are very eye catching. Not only can you use these charming little 'chiefs for your neck but also in your hair or even on your handbag! 

Spaghetti scarves or fringed scarves are a cheap and cheerful way to brighten up a plain tank top and are available in lightweight fabrics to ensure style with sweltering. This winter I bought my mam a scarf as part of her 12 days of Christmas presents. I had originally planned to spend about 10-15 euro but I splashed out for the black and white scarf below. As soon as I picked it up and felt how luxurious the fabric was I knew i wasn't going to be leaving it behind...in March I borrowed it for the Vintage Wedding Fair and I got rather a nice surprise when I released the label on it was in fact Michael Kors! I felt slightly smug at my 20 overspend being transformed into a bargain 

Grab a spear and get perfectly primitive in the tribal trend!This is a great look for playing around with colours and prints..the bigger and bolder the better. There are very few figures that are not flattered by the loose and ladylike styles of the tribal, colour explosion, clothing. You can completely cater this look to accentuate all your positive features and pick colours that will suit you skin town. The materials of tribal clothing are generally light and have plenty of movement so you can breathe easy knowing you will look and feel comfortbale. There is no shortage of aztec and native print dresses on the market including shoestring strap maxis, forgiving beach kaftans or pretty day dress. But if the idea of an all over tribal print dress is a little bit daunting then you can add a touch of indigenous elegance with a printed headscarf just like the lovely Eva Mendes. Or team a plain block colour top with printed leggings or harem pants.

Not surprisingly my favourite aspect of the tribal trend is the jewellery!There is such a wide variety of stuff to choose and because a lot of the accessories are made from threads and beads they are all purse friendly purchases. Native necklaces are easily come by and beaded statement necklace are perfect if you have a a strapless top or dress.If beads arent your thing then you can go for the etched metals and tins which are especially good if you want to go big on your earrings and dress up a simple day dress. Breastplate necklaces are not for the faint hearted but they certainly make a statement and can bring an otherwise dull ensemble to life. If you can put up with the constant jingle jangle of bangles then this look is definitely for you and if not you can always substitute with one large long metal cuff.  

Thankfully this is a trend that actually lends itself to flat shoes as strappy sandals are in-keeping with 'desert chic' but thats not to say you can't glam it up with some adorned heels. Feathers,beads and tassels are not just confined to the top half of the look as shown by the example above. Whether you want to be a cheeky chieftain or no-nonsense nomad you can have lots of fun with this wild and wonderful look!

It's almost that glorious time of year when you can dust off your denim shorts for that all important day...Summer!You may have perservered during the colder months and wore your shorts with tights but its just not the same. The shops are flooded with all manner of styles and shapes in the denim short department.If you are feeling really brave and you have killer legs why not go for short shorts(Britney ones with pockets longer than the actual shorts)...just don't be tempted to team it with a trucker cap and bucket of chicken. If you are a litte more conservative denim shorts with lace inserts is a lovely way to make them dainty and girly. High waisted shorts are a perfect solution for holding in that lil extra bbq weight and are even cuter with turn ups.

As well as the oul reliable standard blue denim there is also an array of dyed denim shorts that are relatively cheap and make a nice change from the norm.Shorts are easy to dress down with a plain white tee and nice flats but for dressing up studded or lacced up shorts and heels have plenty of attitude. If you are looking for something a little different and willing to pay a bit extra etsy.com is perfect especially for tribal printed denim. Alternatively, why not have a bash at transforming that old pair of jeans in the back of the wardrobe. Get scissor happy and add whatever trimmings and tricks you fancy.