Penny and Polaroids

Siofra Tobin and Stephanie O’Quigley are the two stylish blondes behind the fashion and beauty blog SnappedUp.ie. The stylish duo have begun to make a name for themselves in their chosen industries, all the while blogging their journey with the much-loved website. Stephanie is a successful Marketing and PR Executive at Cocoa Brown while Siofra is currently working with one of Ireland’s leading publications, Image magazine and is also a contributor with SPIN 103-8.

SnappedUp.ie offers musings from both the fashion and beauty industries; the girls know style, they know beauty, and they know how to write. In this interview they offer an insight into their wardrobes, makeup bags and even their exercise regimes. Have a read, you’ll like them..

How did SnappedUp.ie begin?

Stephanie: We knew each other through mutual friends. We were both studying media at the time and had a huge passion for the industry. Siofra came up with the idea of starting a blog and it just clicked. We had the same drive from very early on and also the exact same interests and taste. Once we decided to launch the website, us being us, we knew we had to go big. We put it huge ground work beforehand making sure the website could be the best we could make it. We contacted everyone and anyone who could lend us a hand and worked on it for months before its launch. Now, its like a baby and we mind it everyday. Its hugely rewarding to be recognised for work we love to do and we’ve also gotten many opportunities out of SnappedUp.ie to date.

Describe your personal style.

Stephanie: Like most women, my style changes very often. I tend to stick to minimalist pieces with a preppy, chic look. On my more girly days, I’m drawn to pinks and pastels with a lot nipped in waists and lace touches.

Siofra: My style varies from day to day, but I would describe my style as quite clean cut, yet laid-back. Although I do love a good dose of retro glamour! I like to reinvent the classics, by adding a cool edge. By this I mean teaming up a classic, structured blazer with a trendy logo tee. This way you can look effortlessly cool and classy at the same time. I tend to wear a lot of black, navy, khaki green and monochrome, as it just works. Although I am trying to add a splash of colour into my wardrobe!

What is your go-to piece in your wardrobe and why?

Siofra: My Kooples blazer. Beautifully structured and can transform my outfit in seconds.

Stephanie: Although it sounds sloppy, a good quality pair of leggings, an oversized slouchy jumper and my leather, knee high riding boots are my favourite everyday look. I can dress it up with a statement necklace and a fedora or even throw on a pair of wedges instead. Its so versatile and super comfortable. Win/win!

Who are some of your style icons and why?

Siofra: Olivia Palermo – She is just so god damn tasteful! Nobody does street chic quite like her.

The Olsen Twins – Two words: Trendy & Dishy

Alexa Chung – Alexa really is fashions ‘IT’ girl. Her style is just incredible. Looking effortless takes a lot of effort, but she just does it like no other.

Stephanie: Kate Middleton - She is so classy and elegant. She always looks like a complete lady!

Olivia Palermo - Olivia rarely gets it wrong. I love her looks both dressy and casual.

Mollie King - Knows exactly what suits her and she works those toned pins of hers! She wears clean minimalist pieces and a lot of cute nipped in waists and peter pan collars which I really love to wear too.

Also, Miranda Kerr - Like Olivia she rarely gets it wrong as is always looking bang on trend. She makes jeans and a t-shirt look like the most stylish thing ever - so effortless!

What are some of your favourite blogs?

Siofra: The Blonde Salad, Negin Mirsalehi and Aida Domenech. Also, our very own Anouska Proetta Brandon and Erika Fox from Retro Flame blog are doing some fierce blogging work. They represent us well, very well.

Stephanie: TheLondoner, RetroFlame, BuyNowBlogLater, ThatsHeart, WhatIBoughtToday and without a doubt, PennyandPolariods. There are just too many!

Where do you shop most?

Siofra: BT2 (Maje, Kooples, COS, Jbrand) Topshop, Zara and Urban Outfitters. I also like Shotsy Vintage too.

Stephanie: I usually do all my clothes shopping on the high-street and Zara, Massimo Dutti and H&M are my favourite stores. I like the experience of retail and feeling the quality of clothes so I’d rather wonder around the shops on my day off that sit by the computer in order to get what I really want. Otherwise, I do a lot of beauty and gift shopping online with Etsy and FeelUnique.com being my go-to shopping emporiums.

What are your top 5 beauty essentials?

Siofra: Paul & Joe Primer, Shiseido Liquid Foundation, YSL Falsh lash effect mascara, Rimmel Glam Eyes liquid eyelinerNaked Palettee by Urban Decay ( The first one)

Stephanie: A good facial exfoliator and moisturiser. I like The Body Shop’s new Vitamin E oil for keeping my skin even and moisturised. Lancome Hypnose Star mascara works absolute wonders and is definitely a favourite of mine. I’m also really loving mineral foundation at the moment - it gives me a glow and even coverage without looking to heavy on my skin. Other than that MAC eyeshadow in Carbon and Rimmel Stay Matte Powder are two products that are so reliable and constantly in my make-up bag.

What is your timeless classic?

Stephanie: A good pair of black leather boots, a fitted black blazer…or both together!

Siofra: My Valentino monochrome bag. Monochrome will forever and always be present in my wardrobe!

What’s on you wishlist for SS’14?

Stephanie: Boyfriend jeans that don’t make me look chunky! Also, the perfect nude courts! I also have two trips to The States planned so I want to stock up on fresh white t-shirts and stonewash denim shorts for traveling. Oh, and a ton more pastels!

Siofra: Lusting after a few pieces from Alex and Ani

A Christopher Kane jumper – Uber-cool

A pair of Valentino shoes

Also – to attend one of the fashion weeks (That can be on my wishlist, right?)

What’s your exercise regime?

Siofra: At the moment, none (ugh, the guilt). I do a lot of walking to and from work, plus I eat quite healthy. I try and eat as much protein as I can, and I’ve been avoiding sugar as of late too. Although when in the gym, I tend do a lot of low impact resistance training, with lots of weights and squatting. I am all about general well being though, and mindfulness classes seem to be the ‘in’ thing at the moment. Along with Voguing and morning raves, yes these new ways to workout do actually exist! Bring it on.

Stephanie: I’m pretty intense when it comes to working out and I like to put in about 4/5 solid hours a week. I split my workout 50/50 - 50% heavy weigh lifting and toning exercises (mainly concentrating on my abs!) and 50% interval training. This could include sprinting or resistance training on the cross trainer. No excuses - I love every minute of it!

Have you any advice for aspiring bloggers?

Stephanie: Focus on what makes you different and work with that. Pick out characteristics in other bloggers that you admire and find out what makes them attractive to you. Work really hard, challenge yourself and make sure you are constantly thinking outside the box.

Siofra: I always say the world is your oyster. Hard graft, passion, enthusiasm and self belief, are all needed to have a successful blog, and career. Blogging is full time, and takes a lot of dedication and organisation. There are so many fashion/beauty blogs in the blogosphere at the moment, so if you can come up with a quirky and unique idea to make your blog different, then go forth and fash on!

Another piece of advice I will give, is – Don’t buy your followers. Organic growth is key, and shows a true reflection of how your blog is really growing. It’s quite obvious when the growth of a blog/website isn’t organic, and that just isn’t respected.

Is there any fashion trend you wouldn’t embrace?

Stephanie: A lot of them! Grunge would be definitely one I wouldn’t go near. In the fashion world, I would probably be considered pretty boring. I like to wear what I like and that’s it…I don’t embrace any trends for the sake of it.

Siofra: I have a fear of Brogues. Not that I don’t like them, but they just wouldn’t suit me. I might brave them in the future though, who knows!

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Follow Stephanie & Siofra’s fashion and beauty musings..

Facebook; @SnappedUp.ie

Instagram: @siofratobin // @stephanieoquigley

Twitter: @Siofra_T // @StephanieOQ // @SnappedUpBlog

Until next time,
nuala

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