THE CLASH

No I don't mean the English Punk Rock band, so put away the giant nose rings, suspenders and ultra-hold hair gel. I am talking about clashing prints - they have been all over the runways and now filtering onto the street. If you wanna be heard this season, let the clothes do the talking and make them loud - need a bit of inspiration? Here are some of my favourite colour clash looks from the catwalk.

L-R; Diane von Furstenburg, Vivienne Weswood Red Label, Emanuel Ungaro

L-R: Thakoon, D&G, Holly Fulton

 I haven't tried this trend for myself yet, as over recent years I have become a complete wh*re for leopard print and don't really have any prints to clash with, any suggestions? Anyway I have had a little go at styling this trend. I went for a simple colour palette of blues an mustard to keep the focus on the stunning prints.

1.) Dog tooth skirt, H&M; Animal print kami and Jinx vintage style court shoes, Topshop.
2.) Floral print top, H&M; Geo print trousers, Topshop.
3.) Co-ord stripe fluid blazer, Topshop; New Royal serpatine dress, General Pants.
4.) Also Tavolario floral bag, ASOS; Scarf, H&M; Prima weaved point court shoe, ASOS.


What do you guys think of the clashing print trend?

Gems x

PERSONAL STYLE VIRGIN!

I have to admit, I am feeling rather nervous getting ready to publish my first ever personal style post - it really is putting your self out there isn't it? Additionally, these pictures were taken quickly with an iphone rushing for a Christening - I do have a digital camera but it is just standard not at all fancy pants. It's a recession don't you know, I need my disposable income to eat (and buy clothes shhhh!).

Any way, enough stalling...please be gentle.

Someone's a little shy!

I really do love this outfit - it is so versatile, swap the shoes for flats and its perfect for a relaxed lunch, or take off the belt for a comfortable cover-up on summer holidays in the sun. I also feel the need to be proud of myself, managing to successfully paint my nails, without having to go through a bottle of nail varnish remover to get rid of the usual plethora of mistakes.

So anyhoo, here is what i wore:
- Leopard print maxi dress with belt from New Look
- Nude studded platforms, an absolute steal from ebay
- Gold croc effect over-sized clutch from ASOS
- Heart perspex ring from H&M
- Personalised necklace from Punky Pins (I never take this off, it was a gift from a dear friend)
- Gold foil effects nail varnish from Barry M

So be honest with me, how did my first personal style post go?

Gems x

I'M ON PINTREST!!

People have been telling me how great Pintrest is for months and I wouldn't listen, instead sticking my fingers in my years yelling that "I DON'T LIKE CHANGE". Well I've discovered that change is good, Pintrest is great, one little push of a button and all the stuff you love is in one place, for you to drool over at your leisure. Check out my first Pintrest board, my 2012 fashion faves which feature many little beauties, like the gorgeous Animalia shirt dress from Ginger & Smart!

Ginger & Smart Animalia Shirt Dress

Pintrest 2012 Fashion Faves

I've also popped a button on the right sidebar so you can follow me on Pintrest, and feel free to Pin my stuff, if you like it enough :)
Gems x

KATE MOSS FOR MANGO

I have to say I love a good fashion campaign, so imagine my excitement when I found out that super-duper model, was to be the face of Mango's Spring 2012 collection. I didn't think there could be a celebrity-faced campaign that would beat Rihanna's smoking hot ads for Armani, released earlier this year, but I think British model Kate might just have her beat.

The stunning images were shot by renowned photographer Terry Richardson and see's Kate smouldering in '60s style make-up and soft waves. I seriously need to get my hands on that pleated peach dress - just perfect for lounging around in a directors chair. Check out the images below, which is your favourite piece?

 

Two decades as a model and Kate has still got it - don't you just hate her!

In other news, I'm heading of to a Christening this weekend, for my cousin's gorgeous baby daughter Laila Rose. I picked up an amazing dress for the occasion - if your lucky and I'm not having a bad hair day, combined with the oh so inconvenient outbreaks of adult acne (or the perfect storm as I call it) I might pop up my first personal style post.

What are you guys up to this weekend?

Images courtesy of glamour.com

GETTING NAILED!

I have never been one to paint my nails too much - it isn't because I don't like the way it looks, I actually love the way it looks, but I just don't have the skills. I would love to have feminine pretty hands with gorgeous and girly painted nails, but every time I try, I don't just paint the nail, I paint most of my hand and the surrounding environment too. I'll never be a brain surgeon with hands as steady as a paint mixer.

In this economic climate (I watch the news), it's not a possibility to go and get my nails done every week, and with my epic clumsiness, I can't rule out the possibility that I will trip up and wipe out the whole salon. Well now nail technicians can finally relax, because I have finally discovered nail wraps.

If you are slow on the uptake like me, nail wraps are essentially stickers for your nails that you just file into shape. They last around 7 days on fingernails and up to a whopping 6 weeks on toe nails - totally amazeballs!

Look 1

 The Nail Wrap: Metallic Nails, Rose Rouse

• Cross Bust High Low Maxi Dress by Love, Topshop
• Wide Cut Red Belt, Romwe
• Guess D-Hondo-B Peep Toe Heeled Shoes, ASOS
• Cubic Clutch, Cactusrose
• Illamasqua SS12 Human Fundamentalism Lipstick in Liable, ASOS
• Biker Jacket, H&M

Look 2

The Nail Wrap: Sheekee Cheetalious Blue Full Cover Wrap

• Neon Hart L/S Tuck Collar Shirt, General Pants
• Runaway Jeans Teal, MINK PINK (currently on sale on official site)
• Retro Woven Black Belt, Romwe
• Pack of 20 Mix and Match Gummy Rings, ASOS
• Multi-Spike Drop Earrings, ASOS
• Villa Envelope Clutch, Forever New
• Point Toes Black Flat Shoes, Romwe

Look 3

The Nail Wrap: Getting Nailed, Trendy Union Jack

•  Cath Kidston Antique Brass Tiny Union Jack Drop Earrings, ASOS
• Stripe Sear Buckle Belt, ASOS
• Barb Heart Muscle Tee, Ksubi
• Pointed Toes Black Boots, Romwe
• Gathering Eye Square Lock Messenger Bag, General Pants

How do you guys think I did styling my nail wrap choices - I promise to show you some pictures of my efforts with nail wraps soon.
Good luck getting nailed!

TREND OF THE WEEK - MULLET HEMS

Probably by looking at my little blogger picture, you probably get the impression that I don't have the usual revulsion towards fashion from the 1980's - my 'Frankie Says Relax' t-shirt and big hair are a dead giveaway. Well it's true I like the 1980's - it was the decade I was born, the decade The Goonies was made, and the decade that Bon Jovi were 'Living on a Prayer'. So you can imagine my delight that mullet hems (longer at the back than they are at the front) are popping up everywhere.
Business Up Front, Part Behind!

Open Fields Dress, Cactusrose $50

Mysterious Universe Tulip Skirt, Romwe $32.99USD

Wall Street Top, Stylestalker $129

Neon Hart Burnout Raglan, General Pants $49.95

Rare Lace Hi Low Hem Skirt, ASOS $40.55

Aren't they just so deliciously '80's and retro? And there are styles to suit any and every occasion - sadly the mullet haircut may never be back en vogue, but I seriously hope mullet hems are here to stay!
Visit Cactusrose, here.
Visit ASOS, here.
Visit General Pants, here.
Visit Romwe, here.

GET CREEPY!

It's time to get a little bit creepy this season, as 'Creepers' are set to be the hottest shoe style of the season. The platform sneakers come brogues are all kinds of awesome, they can be worn with just about everything - I just wish they had made it onto my fashion radar sooner, because I am in love!

Jamie King, Rihanna and Jessie J rocking the Creepers!

 I may not be an expert but this is how I would get creepy (by which, I mean style my Creepers, not stalking around alleyways and such).

Get your creep on!

• Outfit 1: Round Pearl Earrings ($12.99) and New Style Valentine Earring ($10.99), both Romwe; Isla Dobby Mesh Dress $79.99 Forever New; Underground Exclusive Rosegold Triple Sole Painted Creeper $202.75 ASOS.
• Outfit 2: Agent Ninetynine Floppy Fedora $49.95 General Pants; Dipped Hem Silk Shirt $69.99 Forever New; Subtitled Catwoman Pants $79.95 General Pants; Black Suede and Leopard Cow-hair Low Sole Creeper $75.00 TUK Shoes.
• Accessories:  Miranda Satchel $49.99 Forever New; Piece Zammi Necklace $30.82 ASOS; Punk Style Retro Black Bag $76.99 Romwe.
• Outfit 3: Neon Hart Long Biker Vest $129.95 General Pants; Neon Hart Tartan Zip Pant $69.95 General Pants.
• Outfit 4: Splicing PU Belted Cream Shift Dress $38.99 Romwe; Cable Over-The-Knee Sock $12.99 Forever New; ASOS Monroe Platform Creeper Shoe $121.65 ASOS.

Creepers are my shoe of the season, as they can be styled to almost any trend (although they will look especially fly with the modern grunge trend I'm crushing hard on) - go girly and boho with floral prints, go punk with skinny jeans and leather, or go glam with floaty fabrics - in fact do whatever you feel like, it will still be fashion, well-done!

NOTE: All Romwe prices are in US Dollars.

MOUNTAIN RETREAT WITH MOTEL

I can't wait to hit the mountains this spring, but I get to do it without all that pesky fresh air and exercise thanks to one of my favorite labels, Motel. The super-sexy womenswear label has released a range for the upcoming season in a photographic mountain range print, which is just so fresh and contemporary I just can't wait to get my hands on it.

Motel Becka Bodycon Skirt in Mountain Print

Motel Regina Raglan Sleeve Top in Mountain Print

Now do I choose the sexy bodycon skirt or the relaxed raglan tee. Decisions, decisions! I know, I will just get both, wear them together and overdose on this fab mountain print.

Come to think of it since I have went all the way to the mountains, I think I can go a little but further and head on a galaxy quest, because I have completely fell in love with their new Speed Galaxy print too, I can rock the mountain print during the day and the slightly sleeker starry galaxy print at night - look at Motel catering all my fashion needs for me!!

Motel Ursula Pencil Dress in Speed Galaxy Print

Motel Jordan Skinny Jean in Speed Galaxy Print

Motel do the some of finest prints around and they ship all over the world and that means one happy Gemma!
Visit the official Motel website, here.