Magic & Poetry with an Irish Twist

I've always felt the Irish were a romantic lot, perhaps it is because they are such eloquent storytellers, poets and lyricists. The Irish brogue is pleasing to me - musical, emotional, and often full of amusement - making one want to listen closely to their tales.

The fancifulness of fairies and leprechauns and "Gulliver's Travels" is delightful; and the wealth of literary ideas produced by Nobel prize-winning Irish authors & playwrights George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney is admirable.

Ancient, mystical & haunting melodies are enchanting, while a modern fusion of rock & traditional music styles has produced some powerful and memorable popular music.

They really get to me ... in a good way. And now, they're finding a way to get summer fashion fun to you - in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal - oh, and Ireland!

We've noticed lots of Euro-visitors to our Strappity website. For those of you across the Atlantic who want your own pair of Strappity-Do-Das, it's now a little easier to access - with FREE shipping!

Visit www.brastraps.ie (click the space -->) www.brastraps.ie for some of our top sellers right there on your side of the ocean. Happy Strappity!

Get Trendy!

The month of May marks your thirty day countdown to getting in shape for summer! With the days getting longer and warmer ... you can garden your way to firmer abs and arms (hoe! hoe! hoe!) and you'll have gorgeous blooms, too. Lots of upcoming occasions to show off your results: proms, graduation, weddings & vacation!

Get inspired to get in shape. Check out summer color & fashion trends. Plan your tan and how to look your best! Remember, Strappity-Do-Da features monthly specials at www.strappity.com.

Chic Colour Trend

This colour palette has nature inspired overtones; Earthy and heavy on the brown leaving us with the feeling very much of old country simplicity. Strappity Styles: Golden Brown, Amethyst Dream, Canyon Sky

A harmonic and natural world, invaded by the warm and fascinating colours of plants. A strong reference to the volume of trees and to their unstable perfection. Abstract geometry mixing with perfect modular shapes. Basic colours conveying quiet and pureness, but taking us back to the `60s when combined with green and violet.

Classical Colour Trend

The classical palette is more vivid and saturated, with colours that remind us of the resort with beach-like blues and the distinctly sandy Hypen. Strappity Styles: Turquoise, Canyon Sky, Royal Caribbean

A world deeply inspired by colours of Mediterranean beaches, where the strong appeal of the sea combines with the period of figurative arts. Flaming and almost primary colours convey strength and energy, daring with creative couplings.

Casual Colour Trend

The casual colour palette stands alone leaving behind the country and nature with a heavy city shift, the concrete colours, glassy blues, unnatural pinks and yellow that reminds us of a street light. Strappity Styles: Flirty Flower Poppy, Crystal Clear, Hot Pink Passion, Silver Eyelet

Colours of this range reflect the cold light of pixels and deformed effects. Iron grey cuts these colours and makes them matchable, while deep yellow inflames them of a dazzling light with psychedelic effects.

Source: TFL

See-through and sheer fabrics trend

In Spring and Summer fashion tends to get a little more revealing; blame it on the heat, and one's desire to show off. So in 2009 turn to the sheer / see-through trend to keep you cool yet sexy. 2009's sheer pieces are a mixture of the soft and feminine, to the opposite extremes of the hardcore sex-kitten.

Swimwear / Bikinis 2009

Find out what swimwear you'll be wearing when you hit the beach this Summer with the Bikinis 2009 trends guide. Which monikinis should you be wearing? And what style of bikinis? And which designer is making the sexiest, must-have pieces? Click to find out.

One-Shouldered Tops, Dresses & Bikinis

From single-shouldered dresses to tops and bikinis, asymmetric shoulder-lines have made a huge return in 2009. Showing off one-shoulder in a dress can be subtly sexy and interesting on the eye, and the possibilities for how to wear it are numerous. Click to read more on the one-shouldered fashion trend.

Grecian dresses fashion trend

History and fashion repeat themselves; so don't be surprised to find out that Roman-esque and Grecian inspired clothing are a key fashion trend in 2009. Both as maxi-dresses and short little numbers, the Grecian dress is one of the key looks that any woman can indulge in. Click 'Roman / Grecian fashion trend' to read more.

Tribal / Ethnic Fashion Trend

Fashion in Spring/Summer 2009 is cultured and world-wise. From tribal-infused prints, to turbans, to flowing kaftans and crisp safari suits... if it evokes a feeling of the exotic and the adventurous, it fits with the 2009 style mindset. Click 'Ethnic / Tribal fashion trend' to read more.

Butterflies: 2009 Motif

Feminine, ethereal and a symbol of renewal. The butterfly is the motif du jour in 2009. Don't fall into the trap of glitzy blingy kitsch - the butterfly this summer is all about elegance. Click here to read more: butterfly motif trend.

Jewel-encrusted Clothing Trend

It's not the first time bejewelled pieces have been a hit over the past few years. But in 2009 they return brighter, bolder, and more elegant. This time around pieces are not just embellished but often completely encrusted by jewels; the feeling is luxurious, exotic, and yet the glamour remains somewhat understated. Click here for more on the jewel-encrusted clothing trend.

Exposed Stomach / Midriff

Please consider this the one 2009 fashion trend I am truly scared of, not because I don't like the intention, but because the implementation has the potential to go completely awry. If you thought muffin top was horrible, imagine how bad an exposed midriff trend can go? Ladies, hit the gym.

Source: fashionising