WINTER IS COMING

How do I know when winter has arrived? I start tucking my tops into my underwear, instead of just my trousers, as I feel like I need that extra layer of protection. Winter is here, as my tops are now all firmly tucked into my knickers to prevent any drafts, or as my grandma used to say "cold on your kidneys" - she didnt like those low slung jeans me and my sister wore in our teenage years.

So the parka has come has come out of storage (i.e. where it has been crammed under my bed), the biker boots are on, and the wooly hats that make me feel like a cute little gnome adorn my head daily...I don't deal well with the cold, or the heat for that matter, like a typical Brit. I want to be room temperature at all times...I'm not your typical Geordie that will go out without a coat on in a blizzard, well not anymore.

Parka, Noisy May - Similar Here.
Tartan Tee, Select -  Similar Here.
Faux Leather Trousers, H&M - Similar Here
Biker Boots, New Look - Similar Here.

Wrap up because, Baby it's cold outside...

Gems x

WHAT'S IN A NAME

As regular readers will know, earlier this year I became an Auntie for the first time, and it has easily been the best thing that has happened to me so far in my life. So when a few months ago, my sister asked me if I would be a Guide Parent for little Imogen at her Naming Day, I was pee-in-my-pants delighted. The little cutie pie means the world to me, and I love spending time with her, she is such a character and she makes me laugh constantly.

For the special occasion I wore a lovely blue lace dress from Missguided and surprised myself by reading the promises I'd written without any nerves, in front of a lot of people.

In case anyone needs some inspiration for naming day promises, why not take a little look at mine...prepare for epic soppyness...

Imogen, first of all I promise my love, complete and unconditional. I promise to nurture your interests and inspire you're imagination, and to be your partner in crime.

When you need to rest your head, I promise to lend you my shoulder to lean on. When you need someone to hear you, I promise to lend you my ears. And when you need comfort I promise to always open my arms to you.

I promise that your laugh will be my greatest joy, and to watch you grow is my greatest privilege. And finally, I promise that you inspire me to be a better person, so I can be the role model you deserve.

I love you my little chicken.

Auntie Gems x

THAT CHEEKY RACCOON

I've made no secret of my love for American Streetwear label, Raccoon Brand. I'm a big fan of those cheeky raccoons, and all the mischeivious antics they get up to. I have plenty of garms from the uber cool brand, but my all time favourite has to be this chilled out smoking dude, despite the fact that he is way cooler than I am - I would describe my level of coolness as 'Hobbit Enthusiast'.

Cardigan, F&F - Similar Here.
Jeans and Belt - Primark

I've learned to accept that I'm never going to be one of the cool kids - I watch documentaries on electricty...for fun, have an obsession for anime, and read science fiction novels, as well as gushing to anyone who will listen about the latest scientific discoveries. Look at this hi-res picture of Pluto...LOOK AT IT!!!

Speaking of being a book worm, I'm looking for some new book suggestions, something a little different. Let me know in the comments.

Gems x

CASUALLY GREY

You will have to excuse the terrible quality of these pictures, I just once again found my camera and I'm not used to the lighting in my new place. That really isn't my own angellic glow floating around me, I just think the light was too bright behind the camera.

I still am an angel though, I gave an old woman five pence to pay for her purchase in Wilko last week, totally because I am a good person, not because I was getting impatient with the amount of time she spent slowly going through her coin purse, irritating the crap out of me and everyone else in line.

Jeans and T-Shirt - Primark
Necklace and Belt - H&M
Boots - Don't Remember

Since I've moved, money has been a little bit more on the tight side - nothing to keep the cobwebs in my pocket company - but, since I lost a lot of weight on the heartbreak diet in the new year, I am in desperate need of new clothes. So these acid wash grey jeans were a bargain at £7 from Primark, as well as the £1.80 t-shirt. I've never been prouder to look so cheap.

I keep saying I'm going to inject some colour into my wardrobe and end up with grey - it's a good match for my glittering personality. Any recommenadations for boosting my wardrobe for little cost?

Gems x

ON POWDERED GROUND

Leopard Dress, H! by Henry Holland - Similar Here
Fluffy Jumper, AX Paris - Same Here.

Don't you just love it when you find something new that you probably never would have discovered during your everyday life? I was feeling sorry for myself (you know because I'm a big baby) and laying in bed watching a movie called 'The Truth About Emmanuel" - it was a lovely bittersweet movie and I highly reccommend it. Anyway, when the credits rolled and absolute angel started singing so I had to find out who it was.

The angel was Agnes Obel, an amazing singer/songwriter from Denmark and the song was "On Powdered Ground". The song is so beautiful and serene, it reminds me of how still and calm things are on an early morning in Autumn, when the sun shines and the birds sing freely with no one around to disturb them. Hence the pictures of me looking all tired because it was a little early for Gemma.

Please give the song a listen and let me know what you think? I've become a big fan of her ethereal songs and beautiful piano compositions and makes such a wonderful change to all that drum n' bass I'm assaulted with everywear I go.

Have you discovered anything new and exciting recently? Then share!

Gems x

CAUSING MISCHIEF WITH RACCOON BRAND - PART 1

Like most of you I'm sure , I love discovering new brands, and I've been lucky enough to discover some real awesome ones through blogging and my work as a freelance writer. My latest discovery and obession is American streetwear label, Raccoon Brand, founded by filmmaker, Jesse Barack. I am loving their cheeky graphic tanks and tees, all featuring a mischievous raccoon or two - each style is unisex so us non-girly girls can rejoice at the masculine cut and more relaxed fit.

'The Night Is Yours' Tank in Black - Same Here.

The brand's designs are all inspired by night adventures and mischief, and is therefore the perfect choice for anyone that has a cheeky alter ego that is barely being contained:

"As the moon rises, society's grip loosens an many of us transform into mischievous versions of ourselves."

- Raccoon Brand

So why the raccoon you ask? Well for a start they stole a raccoon from a laboratory when they were in college, and really is their anything more mischievous than a raccoon? They look like little bandits and often cause trouble during their nocturnal antics.

So, as soon as I pulled on my 'The Night Is Yours' tank, I felt like being a little bit naughty. So I didn't make the bed...that's right, I'm bad!!

Is there anything cooler than this tank? And I'm sure the raccoon knows the dangers of second hand smoking, before someone yells at me. How are you guys liking Raccoon Brand?

Be sure to check out the Raccoon Brand Store, as well as their Facebook Page and Instagram. Stay tuned for more mischievous adventures with Raccoon Brand coming, I managed to get the boyfriend in a tee for a monkey about :)

Gems x

* T-shirt provided to me by Raccoon Brand for the purpose of this review, all opinions are my own of course, Gemma is not for sale.

I HEART INSTAGRAM

So last week I was tagged by the lovely Josie of Josie's Journal to do the 'I Heart Instagram' tag. Me and Instagram haven't been together long, but it is turining into quite the beautiful relationship...

So here it goes with the questions, I hope I don't bore you...

What's your Instagram handle?
I thought I would just keep it simple and use by blog name @fashionwelldone. With working for some fashion brands and blogs, I have other Instagram accounts that I help with, as well as more passwords to remember. So keeping it simple means I don't risk locking myself out.

How many accounts do you follow?
I'm still quite new to this Instagram thing so I only follow 206 accounts right now. So if you do have Instagram, please leave a link to it in the comments and I can stalk you, I mean follow you.

How many followers do you have?
I'm just a mere minnow in the Instagram world right now with 126 followers, but they are all so sweet to me, I wouldn't change them for 100,000 followers.

What are your favourite hashtags?
I don't have a dog of my own, so I have to make do with getting all misty eyed over pictures of other people's dogs, so #dogsofinstagram is a winning hashtag. I'm also a bit obsessed with knowing what other people are wearing so #wiwt #OOTD and #personalstyle are some of my other faves.

How often do you post?
Once a day at least, but since I still am a bit of a novice I don't know what I should be posting, any advice?

How often do you check your Instagram feed?
About 5 times a day, I don't want to miss anything - I may be a little bit nosy.

What is your favourite filter?
I quite like Mayfair, can hide a few imperfections with Mayfair - I actually resemble that house elf from the Harry Potter movies, but Mayfair makes it look like I have a working face.

Smartphone purist or rebel? 
I think I am a bit of a rebel, mainly because my smartphone is not that high end. I am due an upgrade, but EE make me angry with their pestering so I haven't got round to it.

Favourite 3 IG accounts?
I can't do that I love so many, but I am going to give a shout out to Paula from Thirteen Thoughts and Sophie from So Inspo, because they always leave super sweet comments.

I'm going to tag, the lovely Christina from Diaries of a Sunflower and my kindred spirit Keit from Beauty in Insanity.

Don't forget to leave me your Instagram links.

Gems x

MYTHICAL CREATURES

So I promised I would talk a little bit more about my experiences with mental illness and after reading the comments on my last post about being given the cold shoulder, I started thinking about the common myths surrounding depression and anxiety. The things people with mental illness and just normal people, believe to be true. Plus this leaf printed playsuit from H&M makes me feel like a mythical woodland creature, prancing between the trees ( I didn't actual do that I promise). I have to include a little bit of fashion of course...you're complements on my dress sense sustain me better than chips, well marginally.

Playsuit, H&M - Similar Here.
Biker Jacket, Matalan - Similar Here.
Shoes, Primark - In Stores Now.
Skinny Belt, New Look - In Stores Now.

So to the myths..

• You're the only person to feel this way - Sorry, but your just not that special. You may feel like the only person in the world, but there are probably several people on your street experiencing something freakishly similar. Depression is so crazy common that it doesn't even make you stand out these days - if you want to be different why not wear a hat, no wait everyone does that now too...sorry!

• You're making yourself ill - You're not doing it to youself, it is something that happens too you, thanks to a silly chemical imbalance in the brain. You can't help it, but you can learn to manage and deal with it, with medication and therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy worked wonders for me. So the next time some chick tells you to cheer up and stop making yourself ill, punch her square in the boob; if it's a guy, I think you know where that punch should go.

• You're a failure - Probably one of the worst things you can tell yourself, mostly because it is totally not true. If anyone makes you feel like you are a failure for being depressed or anxious then cut them from your life as they are toxic and a total jerk. You are having a hard time for sure, but your achievements, no matter how small, mean so much more as you have had to work so hard to get there.

• Medication will turn you into a zombie - What a load of bloody nonsense, medication will not turn you into a numb, emotionless android. They will simply moderate your brain chemistry and help to take the edge off your depression and anxiety, allowing you to really deal with the problem at hand. As somone on two types of medication I can confirm that I have never walked jerkily around the streets looking for human brains to devour. It may take a few tries to get the medication right, but they can really help once a good match is found. 

• You're a burdon on everyone - I will talk about guilt more in a future post, but it is so common for people with mental illness (or any other long term illness) to feel like they are a burdon to those around them. I have felt that way so often, especially when so many of my 'friends' couldn't be bothered to include me. Plus I would be lying if I said my family and Ryan hadn't made sacrafices for me, but I know they did so because they cared for me and wanted to help however they could. One day I hope to pay them back.

This guy has been my rock, I started really living when I met him.

Now more pretty pictures, because look at how 'normal' life can be even with mental illness, I can sit on big stones and stand next to trees with no real difficulty...

Remember, you are never alone when there is ice cream, ooh and cake, ooh and those little cracker things are salt and vinegar flavours :) If anyone wants to talk about their struggles and experiences, just send me an email.

Oh and can you give me some tips for taking pictures outside?

Gems x

A BIT OF A BIRTHDAY HAUL

Well I made a bunch of you jealous,  by telling you that the boyfriend took me on a shopping spree for my birthday last week, and since that jealousy totally fuels my power cells, I though I would try and get a bit more by showing you what he bought me.

To be honest, I was pretty disappointed in what the stores had to offer, that could be because it is mid-season and they are trying to get rid of their crap before the new season starts. But, I did get some little gems and the boyfriend was very patient as I dragged him around...

First up is this little jersey skater dress from H&M - I have never been a lover of pink, but I do love the over-sized floral print and deep back. Now I just need some sun to wear it in, oh wait here's some...and it's gone!

Skater Dress, H&M - Same Here.

Next up was Primark, people may not like the whole disposable fashion thing, and that's fine, but my wardrobe would be very empty without it as I don't have a designer budget. Primark is great to pick up those few pieces to boost up your summer wardrobe and this floral shift (which you can see I have already featured here) and a couple of great tops, I particularly love the sporty chiffon number. I was also delighted with my Rolling Stones pajamas, which you can see on my Instagram feed.

Dress and Tops, Primark - In Stores Now

The finally clothing store I had success in was Dorothy Perkins as their sale was on and I can't resist a good rummage and found this lovely smock dress for just £7 in the sale. And don't forget I also got a clutch bag and necklace (not from the sale) that I am giving away, just follow the link to the competition.

Smock Dress, Dorothy Perkins - Same Here.

No birthday would be complete without some books to read over the summer and I have been excited about these 3 for a while, particularly the sequel to The Shining, Dr Sleep. I will be sure to let you know what I think of them when I have read any of them...you can get some really good deals in WH Smith right now, including half price bestsellers.

Finally, I managed to get the lovely bf to buy me a lip scrub from Lush, I had been wanting one for ages and the fact that he thinks they are totally bogus, it was made all the sweeter. The bubblegum one smells divine and I cannot wait to try it...expect a review soon.

Bubblegum Lip Scrub, Lush - Same Here.

Am I lucky or what? What guys have you been buying, or wanting to buy recently?

Gems x