BEAUTY LOVES - BERRY LIP AND LIQUID LINER

I must admit, I probably do take more selfies than necessary. But, like most women I have some periodic self esteem issues, so when I'm having a good face day, I feel the need to share it with the world, for their approval. Every 'like' is a little boost - especialy when most days I look like I have been dredged from a swamp most mornings, and not a nice swamp.

When it comes to working face days, the berry lip and/or liquid liner have been my beauty saviours - making me less crypt keeper more cute.

Berry lip courtesey of H&M, goofy teeth are models own!

Liquid Liner from W7

What hae been your beauty saviours this month?

Gems x

FORGOTTEN OUTFITS OF THE DAY: PART 3

I know I've been a terrible blogger of late, especially to all of my lovely girls, you know who you are. I guess I have just been focusing on other aspects of my life - work, new friendships and thinking about all the things I need before moving into the new place. On what planet is an iron a fun purchase? And thinking about decorating just sends me into panic mode, everytime I'm in the wallpaper section of B&Q I want to crawl into the foetal position, until someone picks for me.

I'm still in need of a new photographer so there are no new outfit posts for me to share with you right now, so i't time for another batch of pictures that were rejected because I hated my face. But, to treat you to something new, here is a picture of me, dressed as Jareth, The Goblin King from Labyrinth...just something I wear om your average Tuesday...

Seriously, I would wear this everyday - why did the pirate shirt ever go out of fashion? Anyway, back to the non-ridiculous (well mostly)...

Feeling a little like a French Prostitute in: Dress, H&M

Being annoyed by the wing in : Jacket, USC
Preppy Tee, Primark
Leatherette Trousers, H&M

Showing some cat lady chic in: Coat, Next
Tie Dye Dress, Primark
Leatherette Trousers, H&M
Satchel, Next.

Playing in the old back yard in: Dress, H&M
Leatherette Jacket, Matalan.
Jumper, Dorothy Perkins
Belt, New Look

Sucking in, wearing the world's tightest pants from H&M
Sporty Tee and Bag, Primark.
Leatherette Jacket, Matalan.

Any suggestions on where I could find a new photographer, and how many outfit posts do you dismiss?

Gems x

STREET STYLIN'

'Flutterby' T-shirt, Percy Cute - Same Here.
Faux Fur Coat, Next - Similar Here.
Faux Leather Trousers, H&M - Similar Here.

So this is where I reveal the extent of my nerdyness - I went to see the first showing of 'The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies' last night at midnight and I have to say it was awesome. All the other midnight showings I have been too, have been really quiet, but this one was packed of Hobbit enthusiasts, but sadly no one dressed as an elf, or orc. So if you do plan on going to see it, I recommend booking in advance.

Anyway to the fashion stuff. This outfit was worn a few weeks ago, whilst the leaves we still clinging onto the trees, as unexplicably as Callum Best clings onto a career. I love simple street style looks, so my Percy Cute 'Flutterby' tee got another outing, teamed with my trust faux leather trews from H&M. As the weather was colder than a witches teat, the faux fur beauty from Next was needed to stop me from complaining all day long.

Is everyone all ready for Christmas? I look at the massive pile of wrapping I have to do, and it makes me want to cry!

Gems x

MANICURE MONDAY 02

WINTER WHITE EDITION

Maybelline Color Show in Winter Easy
H&M glitter polish in Jo is in the house.

Reading the news recently I wasn't surprised to see a story that there was going to be heavy snowfall in the UK. The same story comes around every year, the whole population freaks out, and then there is barely a flurry to be seen. It's funny because if even a centimetre of snow falls, the entire country comes to a standstill, with people panic buying bread and milk.

Anyway, inspired by the snowy news, I picked up a winter white nail polish from the Maybelline Color Show line, to mix with a bit of glitter to create snowflake, frosty nails. I would love it if the white was more opaque, but I do love the little sparkle of the glitter over the top. Perfect for party season, don't you think?

I have a few Color Show polishes and the are reat value for money for just £2.99 - £3.99 a piece. They go on super smooth and dry to a lovely shiny finish. You are better off with 3 thin coats as opposed to 2 thick ones, to keep the look even, instead of streaks. Here are some of my party favourites from Color Show, all available at Superdrug...

1) Dazzle.
2) Cool Blue.
3) Love Lilac.
4) Ocean Blue.
5) Tutti Fruiti.
6) Vinyl Black.

Can you tell I'm favouring a certain colour palette for the winter season? What have you been wearing on your nails for manicure monday?

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

FOR THE GLAMOROUS

I have to start by saying a huge thank you for all the messages of support on my last blog post - it really was quite overwhelming to know that so many lovely girls are there for me, like the friends I thought I had werent. But, it did make me sad that so many wonderful people had experienced something similar their lives, and if it brought up painful memories, I really am sorry. If any of you need anyone to rant to, I am only an email away.

In the future, I do plan to talk about all my battles with mental illness and all that comes with it in the hopes that both myself and others can stop feeling so ashamed and isolated. But, today I thought maybe I would just keep it light and show lots of pretty pictures of my fabulous new Glamorous jumpsuit that I got for a steal on eBay and it was brand new with the tags.

Strappy Jumpsuit, Glamorous - Same Here.
Floral Biker Jacket, QED London @ TKMaxx - Same Here.
Block Heels, Primark - In Stores Now.
Gold Skinny Belt, H&M - Similar Here.
Mirror Bar Necklace, Punky Pins - Same Here.

When it arrived I was nervous that I wasn't going to get it over my ample bum - I did buy one from H&M without trying it on and I pretty much got stuck in it, I did fear I was going to be forced to wear it forever. That jumpsuit has since met the sewing machine and been transformed into trousers and a crop top, once I was pryed out of it of course.

But with this Glamorous beauty, I need not have worried, it fit beautifully and I felt like I belonged at Studio 54 whilst wearing it. Just give me an afro wig, some novelty sunnies and the goldfish platforms and I'm good to go!

Jumpsuits are definitely by clothing of choice for the moment, what items of clothing are you crushing on right now?

Gems x

I'M SO PLAYFUL

Thanks for all the well wishes for me to recover from this stupid cold - this mega jerk seems to want to linger around, and give me a hideous red nose, which could light the way far better than Rudolph's shiny snozz. When I haven't absolutely had to do work, I have been hiding under a duvet being totally pathetic - seriously don't feel sorry for me, I am the worst patient ever. A whiney, snotty, moany mess - isn't my boyfriend lucky, I really did look like the swamp thing yesterday, I don't know how he managed to kiss me, maybe he scrubbed his face with sandpaper afterwards, whilst weeping at the awfulness of it all.

Playsuit, New Look - Similar Here
Silver and White Block Heels, Primark - In Stores Now.

Being under the weather is always my worst time for anxiety, so I did have a little bit of a wobble the other day. But, as I tell other people you have to look at each new day as a totally new chapter, only you can write it, so start with a positive begining and who knows what will happen. I'm happy to report, I put that little panic attack behind me and I'm moving on.

Anyway, onto the fashion part - this playsuit from New Look, is a fairly new wardrobe addition and was worn to the opening of a new bar, which was designed by my boyfriend's best friend and business partner, so we were lucky enough to jump the queue. I have been obsessed with jumpsuits and playsuits recently and have added a number to my collection since this one. I feel so fabulous, until I have to go to the loo and you realise you have to be a bit of a contortionist to get the zip down, then again when it needs to go back up.

The print of this playsuit is gorgeous, with pops of neon against China blues, and the skort detail is so cute, whilst protecting my modesty. I had to team it with my new £12 bargain shoes from Primark and my mint green kimono from H&M, just to keep the chills away on the walk home. Finish off with my favourite necklace adn some neon pink stick on nails from Primark, which are amazing by the way, and I was good to go.

So, how do you guys feel about jumpsuits and playsuits? Do you love them like I do, or does having to completely undress when you go to the toilet put you off?

Gems x

A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT

Eurgh, right now I have the most hideous cold, which makes me just want to curl up in bed with a crappy movie and bottomless cup of tea and just have a nice little sleep until it goes away. But being a freelance worker means no paid holidays for me so I have to sit at my bitch of a computer, booo! Eat a d**k stupid cold virus.

Skater Dress, Insight - Similar Here.
Sunglasses, H&M - Similar Here.

Anyway, at least I have been really lucky on eBay and in charity shops recently. A big triumph was the famous Motel Rocks Lilah jumpsuit, which I got for just £5, I can't wait until that arrives. Another triumph was this gorgeous printed dress, from surf style brand Insight that I picked up for just a few pounds in a charity shop.

I may be the most unlikely surfer girl - I can barely stand up on dry land, never mind on a surfboard  on the ocean - but I do love this cute little dress. The vibrant colours, the bold print, the skater style, it all screams GEMMA!!!

I also want to say thank you for all the kind words about my previous post on the issue of confidence - it's not always easy for some of us to be confident, but keep taking those little steps with me, I'm always better with company.

Gems x