ULTIMATE & REALISTIC - MAY 2014

SUGARED ALMOND ADDITION

You know what I love? Sugared almonds! That thick sugar shell and soft, sweet nut within - eat ten of them and your halfway to diabetes town, but I challenge you to just eat one. Not only are they delicious, but the look bloody lovely too - I would love a mini prom dress made out of sugared almonds, might be some bare flesh by the end of the day, having a little snack when I'm hungry.

All those lovely candy shells in pastel shades are so hot right now - you can't move through the highstreet without feeling the sugary vibes from all the sweet shades. Usually I am a fan of greys or bold and bright, but I think pastel shades have won me over, I have already bought a pair of mint jeans and once I have more than lint in my pockets I plan to buy more....most likely on the realistic side of things.

ULTIMATE: Tate Dress, Goat - £450; Durham Green Leather Biker, J Brand - £829.50; Leather Pumps, Gianvito Rossi - £415; The Rockstud Medium Neon Leather Trapeze Bag, Valentino - £1,465.
Total: £3159.50

REALISTIC:  Lace Cape Dress, Warehouse - £58, Light Green Cropped Biker Jacket, River Island - £60; New Look Turret Purple Sling Back Heels, ASOS - £17.99; PU Shopper Bag, Next - £28.
Total: £163.99

Just a saving of 3 grand, I'm not sure it's worth it!

What do you prefer, the Ultimate look or the Realistic look?

Gems x

ULTIMATE & REALISTIC - APRIL 2014

CLUB TROPICANA EDITION

Club Tropicana, drinks are free,
Fun and sunshine - there's enough for everyone.
All that's missing is the sea,
But don't worry, you can suntan!

Ah do you remember the days where songs had real meaning and dealt with the real issues, like Club Tropicana by Wham - before that song came out I was constantly worried that I wouldn't be able to suntan, or that there wouldn't be enough sunshine and fun for every one.

Yes for this months Ultimate & Realistic, we are heading off to Club Tropicana in homage to all the fabulous tropical prints that are flooding the high street, as well as being popular with high end designers. Juicy fruit prints, exotic animal prints, tropical floral prints...what would you choose? I think I would choose them all since I have been going wild on colour recently....seriously wild!

Ultimate: Printed Stretch Mini Dress, Just Cavalli - £450; Damsen Neon Matte-Leather Sandals, Jimmy Choo - £625; Square Frame Acetate and Leather Sunglasses, Bottega Veneta - £695; Can't Clutch This Textured-Leather Clutch, Marc By Marc Jacobs - £245.
TOTAL: £2015

Realistic: Draped Dress, H&M - £19.99; Carvela Jessica Ankle Cuff Heeled Sandals, ASOS - £68; Small Square Sunglasses, Topshop - £16; Hot Pink Suede Envelope Clutch, eBay - £17.90.
TOTAL: £121.89

I love the Just Cavalli dress, but £695 on sunglasses? You would have to be more mentally ill than me to pay that -especially if your likely to sit on them like I am.

What do you think of tropical prints?

Gems x

ULTIMATE AND REALISTIC - MARCH 2014

'I LOVE YOU MAM' EDITION

Mother's Day is coming up, and whilst I still have no idea what to get her, I still wanted to pay tribute to her in my own way. I know everyone says that their mum is the best and for them that is probably true, but my mum (or mam as us Geordies say) really is the best. During my struggles with mental illness she was always there to take care of me - she made a lot of sacrifices and I am incredibly grateful.

I joke a lot of the time with my mam about her fashion choices - it's not that they are bad, she always looks great to me, but she does kind of stick to her trademark look. Then again, she has found a style that works for her and sticks with it, there is nothing wrong with that, and she has certainly had less fashion disaster than me, who can't stick to one look.

My mam loves a good pair of black trousers and all things monochrome, so inspired by that (and the fact that I love my mam a great deal), here is my Ultimate and Realistic wish lists for March 2014. However, since I am a leather fiend, I had to choose leather, instead of a simple black pair of tailored trousers....

Ultimate: Cycle Printed Stretch-Organza Top, Dion Lee £425; Leather Trousers, J Brand £879; Typhoon Leather Pumps, Jimmy Choo £450; Flower Clasp Leather Clutch, Red Valentino £396; Windows Gold-Tone Resin Ring, Marc By Marc Jacobs £50.
TOTAL: £2,200

Realistic: Imitation Leather Trousers, H&M £24.99; White Blurred Zebra Print Woven Vest, River Island £16; Upper East Pointed Court Shoes By CJG, Topshop £115; Pink Oval Diamante Clutch, Quiz £29.99; Black and Gold Raised Diamond Ring, New Look £4.99.
TOTAL: 190.97

A saving of a measly £2,000, it's hardly worth it! I actually prefer the shoes from Topshop, but if I has the money I know I would splurge on a pair of Jimmy Choo's, not to wear I'd wreck them, but just to look at and show people that came round.

So what has been on your wishlist this March.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Gems x

ULTIMATE AND REALISTIC - VALENTINES SPECIAL

You can't get moved in the shops without being bombarded with romantic paraphernalia - tat that people wouldn't usually give a second look are bought by the bucket load, in the hope of impressing that special someone. Anyone who knows me, will be aware that I don't buy into that romantic nonsense - I can often be heard making a retching sound when there is anything slightly soppy on TV.

Don't get me wrong, I will send the boyfriend nice text messages, but him little treats and give him a nice head scratch on the sofa. I certainly don't wait until February the 14th to do something nice, I try to do it all year round. Our idea of romance is telling each other 'I love you' in a Scooby Doo voice, it makes me laugh and it says so much about our relationship - we spend so much time together and it is effortless and fun, but there is something deeper there, no matter how hard we try to hide it under jokes.

So for this Valentine's Day, as we are both self-employed, we are going to treat ourselves to the day off and enjoy a long weekend enjoying each others company. I might even get the sewing machine out and make myself something as a little gift to myself.

Still if I did like to celebrate Valentine's Day, I know I would want to get all dressed up, but not in anything red, girly or featuring the world's most disgusting print...the heart print! So here is an ultimate and realistic Valentine's Day look for the not to girly girl...

Ultimate:  Deco City Tunic, Clover Canyon - £359; Pigalle Spikes 100 Leather Pumps, Christian Louboutin - £845; Loubiposh Spiked Patent Leather Clutch, Christian Louboutin - £595; Leather Blazer, Band of Outsiders - £1,175.
Total: £2,974

Realistic:  Black Abstract Print Shift Dress, River Island - £50; Mint Green Patent Platform Courts, New Look - £22.99; Coast Envelope Clutch, Debenhams - £35; Single Breast Jacket, H&M - £24.99.
Total: £132.98

I can't deny that I am a bit of a fan of Christian Louboutin and that the Band of Outsiders leather blazer does not rock my world, but how good a match is the River Island dress? They have some amazing mirror and kaleidoscope prints in at the minute that will be so on trend for spring. I am loving tunic shapes right now too, specially with the t-shirt sleeve...drool!

What is currently on your 'money is no object' list?

Gems x

ULTIMATE & REALISTIC: JANUARY 2013

LET IT SNOW EDITION

All my UK chums cannot have failed to notice that Britain is in the icy grip of a cold snap that will be sticking around for quite some time. This has got me thinking once again about having to wrap up to brave the outdoors - of course this doesn't mean you can't wrap up in style, heaven forbid. So wrapping up in chic is the focus of my January 2013 Ultimate & Realistic outfit choices...I hope you are inspired.

ULTIMATE:
Burberry London Wool and Cashmere-blend Trench - £1,095, Ksubi Skinny Pins Coated Jeans - £200, Theory Abner B Cotton-Blend Sweater - £225, Jimmy Choo Leather Biker Boots - £595, Alexander Wang Diego Textured-leather Shoulder Bag - £690.
TOTAL: £2805

REALISTIC:
Topshop Premium Military Coat - £125, H&M Slim Regular Jeans - £19.99, New Look Dark Grain Red 3/4 Sleeve Top - £14.99, Barratts Studded Biker Boots - £35, H&M Bag - £19.99.
TOTAL: £214.97

There is no denying that the Burberry military trench is pretty close to perfection, but let's face it I have more chance of flying to the moon in a home made Diet Coke and Mentos rocket, than I have of affording this beauty.

So guys, what is your favourite look - The Ultimate or the Realistic?

Gems x

ULTIMATE AND REALISTIC - AUGUST 2012

OLYMPIC FEVER ADDITION

If you have stopped round here at all in the last few weeks, you would have noticed me mentioning the Olympics - since a child I have a been a huge fan of the sporting extravaganza. So in homage to the spectacle (that has been Britain's most successful since the modern Olympics started) the August edition of the ULTIMATE AND REALISTIC, is quite the patriotic one, with the red, white and blue of the Union Jack! (I need to do something to fill the time, I'm going to be at a total loss until the Paralympics start at the end of the month).

ULTIMATE:
Sophie Shirt, Equipment - £220; Suede Skinny Pants, Rag & Bone - £820; Bekett Leather & Suede Sneakers, Isabel Marant - £385; London 2012 Pandora Clutch, Charlotte Olympia - £595; 18-Karat Gold Star Earrings, Jennifer Meyer - £225.
TOTAL: £2245

REALISTIC:
White Cut-Out Shirt, River Island - £25; Blue Trousers, H&M - £7.99; Kelly High Top Wedges, Tribeca Shoes - £30; Papa- Riazzi Brit Clutch Bag, New Look - £39.99; Star Studs, Punky Pins - £3.00
TOTAL: £105.98

Yes the Charlotte Olympia clutch is amazing, but nothing beats those bargain trousers from H&M, what an amazing deal - they are so on my shopping list.  Loving the Tribeca wedge trainers too, just some awesome shoes on their website at the minute - just indulged in a pair of fab red creepers!

So how did everyone find the Olympics? What was your favourite medal - I have to say that although I am a huge Mo Farah fan, my favourite was Andy Murray's gold. It was the validation he deserved and you could tell it meant so much to him.

Oh and finally I am pleased to announce that the random number generator was in favour of the lovely Sophie from Country Girl Does Norfolk, as she is the winner of the Prairie Charms bracelet. I will be in touch via email shortly!

Gems x

ULITMATE AND REALITIC: JULY 2012

NEW BALLS PLEASE EDITION

Wimbledon is set to reach it's conclusion this weekend - I have to say I have been enjoying it a lot this year. Andy Murray's success has me wanting to hunt out my old Donnay tennis racket from the garage and hit a few balls around...well get someone else to get it for me from the garage, because there is a lot of spiders in there...big ones!

Wimbledon certainly does inspire me on a fashion level - all that stunning crisp white against flashes of a neon tennis balls, the vibrant blue skies...Gorgeous! Browsing the internet it's easy to become inspired by Wimbledon fashion, just check out the fabulous Ralph Lauren look and the 1960's Fred Perry Tennis Collections below.

Ralph Lauren and Fred Perry circa 1960s

So for this month's Ultimate and Realistic, I decided to do a Wimbledon special. You know the drill by now, I style an outfit (inspired by Wimbledon) selecting the pieces I would go for if money was no object, and then find more reasonable alternatives. Then you guys can decide for yourself, which you prefer!

REALISTIC:
Dress, H&M - £19.99; Priscilla Platform Leather Shoes, ASOS - £42.00; Watch, Casio - £20.00; Two-Tone Headband, Forever21 - £2.40; Neon Denim Jacket, Topshop - £58.00; Neon Trim Saddle Bag, New Look - £8.00.
TOTAL: £150.39

ULTIMATE:
Lucille Denim Mini Dress, Acne - £230; Shoes, Kurt Geiger - £105; Chronograph Watch, Nixon - £140; Crochet Knit Headband, Missoni - £60; Neon Biker Jacket, Christopher Kane - £770; Printed Vinyl and Leather Tote, Marni - £180.
TOTAL: £1,345

So, I'm interested to know, which Wimbledon-inspired outfit do you prefer? Are you happy with the high street or do you have richer tastes?

In other news it's my birthday today...I am 29! I can't believe it, where has the time gone?

Gems x

ULTIMATE AND REALITSTIC - JUNE 2012

Regular viewers of my blog will know that each month I like to put together little collages of my current wishlists - one collage covers what I would buy if money was no object, the 'Ultimate'; and the other collage covers what my actual budget could stretch to, the 'Realistic'. This month I have been lusting after little leopard print sundresses - easy to dress up and easy to dress down, just need the sun to put his hat on and come out to play!

In June, I have decided to create the Realistic wishlist out of pieces that can be found within your local supermarket - why not get a cute little dress or rocking pair of shoes while buying that loaf of bread, they are just as essential I would say!

The Realistic (All supermarket finds)
Animal Print Sundress, George @ Asda - £12; Pretty Polly Animal Print Tights, Tesco - £10; Pretty Polly Back-seam Tights, Tesco - £6; Yellow Bandeau Bikini Top, George @ Asda - £2.50; TIA by Made Triple Ring, and Hammered Brass Ring Tesco - £6 and £4; Metallic Tote Bag, Tesco - £12.50; Ella Shoes Metallic Peep-Toe Heels, Tesco - £22.
Total: £75

The Ultimate (All Net-A-Porter finds)
Leopard Print Cotton Blend Jersey Dress, Matthew Williamson - £395; Seamed 15 Denier Stockings, Agent Provocateur - £25; Tiger Printed Tights, Wolford - £35;  Jonny D Ruched Bandeau Bikini Top, Norma Kamali - £170; Hinged Rose Gold-Plated Crystal Ring, Eddie Bongo - £365; Stacy Brass Snake Ring, Chloe - £175; Large Chelsea Leather Shoulder Bag, MICHAEL Michael Kors - £295; Idochine Leather and Patent Wedge Sandals, Camilla Skovgard - £395.
Total: £1855

If truth be told, the 'Ultimate' wishlist is probably never going to be within my grasp, I earn less money than i could in sacrifice to do what I love, so I think for that I can accept the 'Realistic' wishlist. Still it's nice to dream...


What be on your ultimate wishlist if money was no object?

If you want to know what I have been liking, loving and loathing this month, head on over to Futures to check out my Guest Post!

And finally before I go, don't forget to enter my Very First Giveaway, that is open internationally!

Gems x

THE ULTIMATE AND THE REALISTIC - MAY 2012

So this month (after Accessorising April was a huge success), that I was going to only boost my wardrobe with purchases and bargains from ebay. I was doing seriously well picking up three great dresses - one half price from the Boohoo outlet, a monochrome scarf printed dress from New Look for 99p and a draped black Berska dress, with studded shoulders for just £1.20 (they will feature in a post soon I promise).

My big mistake was to think that I could indulge in a bit of 'harmless' screen shopping - I would like to say that I felt guilty buying the dress and tights from Missguided, oh and the shoes from ASOS (least they were in the sale), but I don't...not even a little bit, I wore them all together and I felt great in them and I get to share the look with you in my next outfit post...so that makes it OK right?

So to make up for my digressions from the plan, I am going to construct my realistic wish list for May, entirely from bargains to be found on ebay...it was actually easier than I thought!

The Realistic (all ebay remember)

MTV Leopard Print Vest - £4.99; Silver Metallic Jeans - £24.99; Studded Cuff - £2.65; Faux Suede Leopard Platforms - £18.55; Pink Silver Studded Bag - £19.99; Double Cross Ring - £1.99.

TOTAL: £73.16

The Ultimate

Wildfox Love is Everything Tee - £65.00; Rag & Bone Metallic Zebra Legging - £158.00; Felder Felder Taupe Gold Spike Bracelet - £95.00; Vagabond Conga Flatform Sandals - £65.00; Rebecca Minkoff Wallet Bag with Studs - £145.81; RP/Encore Carrot Spike Rings - £75.00 for silver/quartz.

TOTAL: £472.81

I'm really loving all my ebay picks, the pink studded bag and MTV tee may just have to be purchased immediately (I have an addiction, I need help). Still if I had the money, I would replace my entire wardrobe with Wildfox pieces - the LA brand only made it onto my radar this week after discovering it on the gorgeous Tessa-Jay's blog Circa Now. Check her out, she is a dream!

So what is on your wishlist this month?

Any fab ebay bargains to share?

Gems x