It’s January, we’re all feeling the pinch and pay-day seems a helluva long way away. To help you get through it in style, we’ve teamed up with Irish site GlitzandGlam.net stockists of fine accessories, bags and jewellery. Named Best New Business of Kildare in 2011, celebrity fans include Ms Ireland Holly Carpenter, Lisa Murphy and Elaine Crowley. We’ve got three fab prizes for three lucky HelpMyStyle.ie readers to give away including: A tote-tastic black carry bag: A torque necklace & earrings set; and a pair of vintage style earrings.

THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE:

A pair of vintage style earrings:
David O’Driscoll

To win, simply tell us why you could do with some new acccessories for 2012?

To win you must be a fan of Helpmystyle.ie on Facebook and a registered user of this blog. Simply subscribe by entering your email address in the box on the bottom right hand of this page and press subscribe. Post your answers as comments below or email to win@helpmystyle.ie. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. Closing date for entries is 12pm, Thursday 19th January 2012 . Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. For full competition T&C’s click here.

We couldn’t make our mind up on which piece we loved the most this week so ‘Steal’ has become ‘Steals’ plural…all the better you say, we couldn’t agree more!

First up, it’s a satin kimono-style jacket from H&M. It’s part of the Conscious Collection and has wide 3/4-length sleeves and a chiffon lining. Great for a blast of winter colour and it’s only €19.95.

What girl doesn’t need a pair of gold glitter platform heels at this time of year? These ones are from Heatons and are only €20.

And because you can never have too many bags, this blue padlock tote from Penneys is the perfect shade for autumnal colour blocking. What’s more it’s only €13 and lands in stores mid December. Happy shopping peeps!

If you’re in the market for a new bag you need look no further than M&S. This leather mixed with leopard print tote is a beaut…and all yours for €129.

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Fans and fashionistas came out in force on Friday as Whitney Port, star of MTV The Hills & The City and clothing designer of Whitney Eve, was in Kildare Village to launch the Kildare Village Summertime Festival and to reveal the canvas tote bag she designed exclusively for KV, with all proceeds going to Barretstown children’s charity.

At what was widely regarded as the hottest ticket in town, a glamorous bunch of media personalities and socialites descended on Kildare for the launch including TV3’s Debbie O’Donnell, Sinead Desmond and Karen Koster, DJ and model Michelle Doherty and Sean Munsanje. Guests dined sipped on champagne and canapés from Italian eatery L’Officina.

Throughout the month of July the Summertime Festival @ Kildare Village will feature the very best of Irish and International entertainment, including singer Cathy Davey, the world renowned entertainers Physical Jerks and puppet on a bike, all of which are free of charge.

Also look forward to tantalising your taste buds at the Good Food Ireland Pop-Up where some of the very best of Irish artisan food can be enjoyed then trace your roots by signing up for a free genealogy sampler, which is being organized by the Irish Family History Foundation and RootsIreland.ie. Pictured left Whitney looked stunning as usual.

Pictured below:
1. Athena Kelly, Claire Neill and Lee-Ann McCarthy
2. Daniella Moyles and Sean Munsanje
3. Grace Guildea and Aoife Brady
4. Jennifer O’Sullivan and David Cashman
5. Karen Koster
6. Lorraine Dwyer and Lorraine Larmer
7. Linda Murphy
8. Michelle Doherty
9. Suzanne Cairns and Laura Greer

Your chance to meet Whitney Port star of MTV ‘The Hills’ & ‘The City’ as she’s heading our way to launch the Summertime Festival at Kildare Village on 1st July 2011.

Her sports luxe clothing range, Whitney Eve, is now in its fourth season and has already garnered quite the celeb following including Kourtney Kardashian, Lauren Conrad and Nicky Hilton. As part of the launch of KV’s Summertime Festival, Whitney has created an exclusive canvas tote bag in aid of Barretstown children’s charity. The chic canvas bag will be available to purchase exclusively in Kildare Village for the duration of Summertime Festival, priced at €15 from the Tourist Information Centre, with all profits going to Barretstown.

Speaking of her impending visit to these shores, Whitney said ‘ This will be my first visit to Ireland…I’m so excited. ‘

Inspiration for the design comes from Whitney’s ready to wear collection where the dominant muse was African tribal prints and colours. The bag’s bright colours and graphics make it perfect for summer (if only it would arrive!).

Brown Thomas continues to bring fashion-forward labels to its stores with the latest arrival – the MICHAEL collection by Michael Kors. The Autumn-Winter 2010 collection marks the entry of the label to the Irish market.

The collection features reinvented classics with a nod to the icons of Kors’ runway collections – the perfect little black dress, a fresh take on the trench, travel ready tunics are hallmarks of the MICHAEL line. The chic and sporty clothes are complemented by bags and shoes with a similar witty take on American classics.

From supple leather folds to sophisticated architectural shapes, MICHAEL Michael Kors handbags and accessories reflect the urban aesthetics of American style, with attitude and the understated luxury of sleek fabrics mixed with classic shapes. The collection defines the latest must-have handbags including the fabulous ‘Hamilton’ tote bag.

By now you’ve probably already stocked up on most of your beach essentials. If you’re still on the hunt however for the perfect summer tote, check out these affordable options! The shops are already starting to stock up on autumn winter merchandise, so now is the best time to snag deals on summer accessories. With a bit of luck, you’ll get plenty more opportunities to use your new beach bag this summer…fingers crossed!

(Clockwise, from top right)

1) Woven nautical tote bag €44.99 from River Island. This bag is a subtle nod to the trend of the season – nautical. It’s simple white base means you’ll get plenty of use out of it both on and off the beach.

2) French Connection sunrise straw bag €68. The ultimate summer bag, perfect to pack everything for a picnic at the beach. The colour palette of jade and chocolate brown creates a stand out look.

3) Marks & Spencer shopper €19.50. This is a total bargain and will look equally fab strutting down the highstreet as it will on the strand.

4) Anya Hindmarch Halen Straw Tote £248 from Anya Hindmarch . In typical Hindmarch style, this straw bag turns rustic into something glamorous and playful with it’s woven striped basket-style design with a patent logo detail. It’s definitely one for any beach gathering this summer.

5) Diane Von Furstenberg Glazed Canvas Beach Tote €42 on Net-a-Porter: This fab multicolored leopard-print glazed-canvas tote is one of the coolest beach bags around and what’s more it won’t break the bank.

Now in its 6th year, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer raises awareness and much-needed funds for cancer charities. In the last few years, Elle Macpherson, Helena Christensen, Erin O’Connor, Minnie Driver and Sir Paul Smith have all been involved with this campaign.

This year, New York designer Tory Burch has designed the bag and is coming to Brown Thomas Dublin to launch the campaign, and Limited Edition Tory Burch Tote Bag, on Friday, March 19th. The fab leopard print canvas tote which features Tory’s signature bright orange lining is super stylish and will undoubtedly be a ‘must-have’ bag this spring.

Burch has a legion of celebrity followers including Cameron Diaz, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Uma Thurman, Hilary Swank, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz and Katherine Heigl to name but a few. Gossip Girls Leighton Meester and Blake Lively wear many of Tory’s designs on the hit US show and indeed Tory had a cameo role in Gossip Girl 2009.

Retailing at €45 in Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and BT2 Grafton Street, Dundrum and Blanchardstown Shopping Centre from Friday March 19th 2010. All proceeds raised will go to Action Breast Cancer and Europa Donna Ireland. This year the campaign specifically focuses on early detection of breast cancer amongst young women in Ireland.

Last week I got very excited about the arrival of Mulberry, in particular their Alexa bag, to Brown Thomas. However with price tags ranging from €500 to €2,000 realistically they’re out of the reach for most of us mere mortals. Luckily the highstreet is on hand to fill the gap. Here are some of my favourites, images and prices after the cut

1. Ted Baker Flynt Metallic Snake Effect Tote €345
2. Tesco F&F weave and stud detail clutch €9
3. Ted Baker Violete Large Clutch Bag €149
4. Tesco F&F large snake studded tassel tote bag €17
5. Topshop Ruche Top Soft Bag Nude €42
6. Awear Multi striped bag €30
7. Topshop Leather Mixed Stud Flap Bag €104
8. Penneys Snakeskin cross body bag €7
9. Awear Tan fringe bag €25