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

GRUNGE LACE

I'm sorry for my absence the last few weeks. Unfortunately, I have been having a difficult time with anxiety and depression - maybe due to all the pressures of the holiday season. I have been working hard and hopefully I will continue to improve and build my confidence over the next few weeks and get back to myself.

There has been a lot of tears and a lot of fear, but with the help of family, friends, and of course Ryan, I have made it through Christmas and I'm hopefully ready to take on all the challenges that 2015 will bring. If you have been feeling lost over the holiday season, you are not alone. It can be hard to discuss those feelings with loved ones, when everyone is so happy and jolly. But, you have nothing to be ashamed of - don't cut yourself off and pretend everything is OK, it is perfectly OK not to be OK. It isn't your fault, you don't do it to yourself, it is something that happens to you.

So anyway, now that I have got the hard stuff out of the way, I can get back to the good stuff...clothes and shit. You might remember a few weeks ago, that I was all googly-eyed and in love with my lace dress from Lulu's Boutique. I've already worn it in a Gothic style, but for a recent jaunt to the shops, I wanted something more laid back to I looked to the '90s and went grunge.

Layered with a checked shirt and teamed with some knee high boots and a bobble hat, and it was grunge perfection. Of course the look could not be complete with a messy plait, so thank you to Wonderful Hair, for your amazing human hair extensions, for helping me achieve the grunge plait of my dreams.

Lace and Organza Dress, c/o Lulu's Boutique - Same Here.
Checked Shirt, F&F - Similar Here.
Biker Jacket, Matalan - Similar Here.
Over-the-Knee Boots, New Look - Similar Here.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to 2015.

Gems x

DUST IN THE WIND

I never told you guys the story about when I got blown over by the wind. About 12 years ago there was a seriously strong wind whipping through the streets of Newcastle - it caused travel disruption, power cuts and a lot of trees suffered its full fury. I was walking from college to the bus stop when an almighty gust of wind whipped me off my feet and threw me unceremoniously to the floor and into a large skip bin.

Cuts all over my face, rips in my jeans and smelly garbage water all over me. I was a bloodied and bruised, and of course pretty darn embarrassed. So I hid behind a little water fountain until my dad came to pick me up, I did my best to walk to the car with dignity, but I'm not sure I really pulled it off.

Fluffy Jumper, AX Paris - Same Here.
Shift Dress, Primark.
Biker Jacket, Matalan - Similar Here.

I can laugh about it now, but I still get a little bit wary when the wind starts whipping up. A little thing like me can get swept up into the clouds never to be seen again. Luckily on a recent super windy day in The Toon, I was lucky enough to survive with my feet on the ground, although I did look a little windswept at times.

I think I have my winter laying sorted, with a cosy cropped jumper worn over one of my dresses with some thermal tights. I might have to let my dresses go soon, but I'm not ready to yet, besides I was informed by Etail PR that I won a dress of my choice from Hybrid (as well as some Wonderful Hair products) and I chose an amazing faux leather gun metal shift dress...I can't wait for it to arrive!!

How do you layer up for winter?

Don't forget there is still time to enter my competition to win a bundle of beauty goodies.

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

JUMPING FOR JOY WITH BOOHOO

I am really trying to get outside to take some photographs for the blog, but when my own confidence is not holding me back, the weather is conspiring against me. When I took to the streets in this amazing Aria Neon Floral Capped Sleeve Jumpsuit from my online favourite Boohoo, the wind was surely at tornado level - my legs were almost whipped from underneath me in a comedy stylee a few times.

Neon Floral Jumpsuit, Boohoo - Same Here.
Biker Jacket, Matalan - Similar Here.

Nails, Primark - In store now for just £1

I notice lots of people giving me the eye in my jumpsuit - they were either jealous of the neon loveliness, or thought I was a little bit mad for wearing something so bright; the mad illusion wasn't helped by the birds nest hair caused by the aforementioned wind. I don't care what people thought, I love my Boohoo beauty - it fits like a dream, yet it is so comfortable and the colours just blow my mind.

Are you a fan of neon brights?

Gems x

FORGOTTEN OUTFITS OF THE DAY - PART 2

A few weeks ago I shared with you a selection of outfit posts that I had deemed unfit for the blog back when they were first taken. There was many reasons the photos had been rejected - make up was drag queen like, I look too nerdy and butch in my glasses, the lighting was poor or you could see my little jelly roll, the result of years of cake abuse.

What I learned from this experience is that the flaws I so often see in myself are not visible to others. What you may see as a flaw other may see as something beautiful - I've long been a little bit conscious of my big ass teeth, but really, why worry they are nice and straight and have no staining. Plus I am sure to beat anyone in an apple bobbing contest.

So if you have discarded pitures because you think you look awful in them, I can tell you it is a cathartic experience just putting them out there, so here are so more to laugh at or enjoy, your choice...

How could I forget about my Topshop tea dress? I'm so sorry baby, I will never hurt you again.
Faux Fur Coat, Next.

I often feel a total dingus in my glasses, hence the eyes on the floor 'Dont Look At Me!'
Tee, Waxed Jeans and Metallic Vest, all H&M.

I just couldn't cope with the raggedy hair extensions in these pictures and I still hadn't mastered the tripod.
Printed Vest, Cheap Monday.
Printed Jeans, Dorothy Perkins.
Open Shirt, H&M
Checked Jacket, USC.

Rushed make-up application makes for a dirty lookin face, but I really do love this casual look, I'm sorry I neglected you.
'True Love' Tee, ASOS.
Leatherette Trousers, H&M
Over-the-knee Boots, New Look
Satchel, Next.

So many emotions in one set of photos, from super happy to fearful perhaps?!
Faux Fur Jacket and Short Sleeved Sweater, Next.
Zip Detail Shirt, ASOS
Skinny Jeans, Levis.

I've always been a bit conscious of my boyish physique (no boobs), and I think this outfit accentuates my lack of curves up top.
Striped Shirt, H&M
Blue Jeans, Dorothy Perkins
Studded Loafers, Matalan.

I absolutly love this dress and this outfit, but for some reasom my lips are black in almost every picture, what is that?
Dress and Tights, H&M.

I have never been comfortable with my bare legs, white, veiny and always riddled with mystery bruises :)
Dress, H&M.

So if you do decide to share some of your less than favourite pictures on your blog, please leave me the link, I would love to see them. I bet they are no where near as bad as you think.

Gems x

GEMMA HEARTS MONOCHROME

Yes leopard print may be my first love (prostitutes can't even ruin it for me - street walker chic all the way, but I do also have a little bit of a soft spot for monochrome. It's something that never goes out of style and is an easy choice for when you're feeling lazy and can't be bothered to put something together. And Lord knows I am lazy, I should have been a cat - I love napping, being stroked behind the ears and serving up half eaten rodents as gifts to my loved ones. Wait not the last one.

This fabulous monochrome shirt was a Christmas present, but I had never worn it, because I just didn't know how. I thought it would look great with some black shorts, but I didn't have any - I did have some old black jeans from H&M that were way past their prime, so I chopped the legs off them and voila, new black shorts. Sustainable shorts that were free...that one is for you environment.

Sorry about the picture quality, I'm using the bf's camera at the moment and since it is way fancier than mine, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Sleeveless Shirt, Alice & You - Similar Here
Shorts - Made from old H&M jeans,

Biker Jacket, Matalan - Similar Here
Shoes, Principles - Similar Here
Studded Bag - Birthday Gift Last Year

Bracelets - New Look, H&M and Prairie Charms

Dopamine Necklace, I Love Science Store - Same Here.
Name Necklace, Punky Pins - Same Here.

Have you re-purposed any of your old clothes?

Don't forget to enter my competition to win a Dorothy Perkins Clutch and Matching Necklace, just follow the link.

Gems x