ZIGGY PLAYED GUITAR

Has anyone been in Primark (aka Primarni) recently, I went in last week to buy some new pyjamas (I got the cutest pair of cherry printed jammies) and I have to say they have some amazing printed tanks in store. I had to go for this David Bowie number as a few of my uni friends went through a phase of calling me Ziggy, thanks to my hairstyle of the time. Plus I am a little bit of a rock chick at heart - just a little bit 'neater' around the edges!

I love all the loose fitting tanks that are popular at the moment, not only are they comfortable, but they disguise a giant food baby, which I had last night after stuffing myself with curry for my Dad's birthday meal out...(the fact that I had to unbutton my jeans was also well hidden). Everyone had a great time laughing at my Grandad's stories - he has to be one of the funniest me alive, even the waiter seemed quite taken with him!

Well anyway, here is what I wore...

Tee and Jeans, Primark
Clutch and Rings, H&M
Shoes, New Look
Beaded Collar, Vintage
Necklace, Punky Pins

Barry M Mint Green and Gold Foil Effect Nail Paints

I love that I got to wear my vintage 1940's collar for the first time, it really is a thing of beauty, I cant help but think what the original owner would think of the way I wore it, compared to her own personal style - she would probably think I was mad.

Do  you guys like to mix vintage gems with your contemporary wardrobe? I would love to see some inspiration and examples so link me up!

Gems x

NEWCASTLE FASHION WEEK - BARBOUR SPRING/SUMMER 2012

London, Paris, Milan and New York amongst others, are quaking in their designer boots as Newcastle Fashion Week is back - woo hoo! There is a host of events occurring all over Newcastle until the 3rd of June so make sure you check out the website, to make sure you won't have to kick yourself for the rest of the year for missing something fabulous.

I'm glad I managed to drag myself into Newcastle at midday on Sunday to catch the Barbour Spring/Summer 2012 collection, shown on the catwalk in glorious sunshine - although I did feel a bit sorry for the lovely girls in their wellies - their feet must have been on fire. The spectators were given the an extra cooling treat though with male models working the crowd with their Barbour umbrellas and specially designer Barbour T-shirts, which are being sold exclusively through Fenwick to raise Cash for Kids.

Introduced by Gok Wan's legendary right-hand woman, Brix Smith-Smart and her super cute Barbour-sporting pooch Gladys, the collection featured a gorgeous range of light weather proof jackets the South Sheilds brand is so well renowned for, as well as, quirky printed tees and fine knitwear accessorised with elbow patches. The looks were finished off with hair from Gary Hedley and make-up from Benefit.

All photos taken terribly by me with help from Mr Well Done...

 So what do you think of the collection from Barbour? I am drooling over the white belted jacket!
There were so many stylish chicas in the crowd I felt quite trampish in my maxi skirt and tee, but anyway here is what I was wearing, an outfit post will follow soon!

Has anyone else out there caught any of Newcastle Fashion Week? I really wanted to see the final year show tomorrow at the Baltic but I have celebrations for my Dad's birthday, but I will be checking out the fun times in Eldon square on Thurs, before I go and see the first showing of Prometheus at r minutes past midnight!

Gems x

THE MTV GENERATION

I'm a child of the '90's - I was born in the 1980's but I was 7 when the world entered the 1990's, and had some of my best years. MTV was in it's fledgling years, of course only the really well off families had it at first, because sky was super expensive and cable was only in the select areas at that time. So until we got cable at my house (which I would watch the music channels for hours hoping for a glimpse of the now defunct boy band Damage) I would wile away the hours playing on my Amiga 500, raising my Tamagochi, getting kitted out in Geordie Jeans and wondering what the hell this Pokemon was that everyone was talking about...what it a sweet or something?

Well when I saw this MTV t-shirt on ebay, I just had to have it and for its first outing, wear it suitably '90's style - baggy pants...check, crappy hat...check, over-sized necklace...check!

MTV slogan tee, ebay.
White wide-legged jeans, BershkaBelt, H&M
My old faithful Converse
Hat, Matalan

Panda necklace, Punky Pins
NYC, Madison Avenue Polish

 What do you guys out there remember about the '90s?

Have you all been enjoying the sun...I want to see the Barbour catwalk show today as part of Newcastle Fashion Week - really exciting to see my first runway show and I will be sharing the pictures with you very soon.

Gems x

BEAUTIES OF THE CANNES RED CARPET!

You should know by now, that I love checking out red carpet photos, drooling over all the gowns that I will never have the fortune to wear myself...its like the best kind of torture. A few of you who read the words as well as looking at the pretty pictures will know I'm also a total bitch and love to mock the stars that got it wrong...I have an excuse for my fashion faux pas, I don't have a stylist, make-up artist and mustache waxer on speed dial. When you have all of these things a single eyelash should not be out of place, so walking down the red carpet in dress that looks like you've had a fight in a cotton field (Cheryl I'm looking at you) is unacceptable.

Anyway, now that I have the rant out the the way, most of you (except the rock dwellers) will know that the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival is in full swing - a festival where the more Art-house (fancy pant speak for pretentious) of  movies hit the spotlight and celebrities descend on the red carpet en masse in voluminous tulle gowns, which they then have cram into a narrow cinema chair for two hours to watch some pompous, possibly subtitled and quite likely black and white bore-fest. (NOTE: To all the producers and directors at Cannes I'm sure some of your movies are good, I'm just unlikely to ever watch and find out).

So moving on, here are my top red carpet gowns of Cannes, and for those who like my bitchy side, there will be a few of the gowns that didn't quite hit the mark.

Fan Bing Bing in Christopher Bu

The Chinese actress looked unbelievable in a gown that paid homage to her heritage in this amazing oriental printed fishtail gown from Christopher Bu. Fan's traditional hair, vibrant scarlet lip and porcelain skin complete the look to perfection...the striped clutch and minimal accessories accentuate, rather than overpower the gown. My favourite red carpet from Cannes so far!

Jane Fonda in Atelier Versace

Can you believe Jane Fonda is 74? It just doesn't make sense, she has the stunning curves of a woman half her age, which are shown off beautifully in this Atelier Versace gown. The bandage style, the subtle fishtail and blinging gold sequins all work so fantastic together, and I'm loving the honey gold shade of Jane's hair...it's all good!

Kelly Brook in The Blonds

Something tells me deep inside that I should hate this dress, but despite the cheap looking stones, garish pink platforms, and severely squished cleavage, I love it! The Blonds gown is almost mermaid like and with Kelly's stunning face and beachy waves, she is probably the only girl in the world who could rock that dress!

Fan Bing Bing in Elie Saab Couture

Yes its Fan Bing Bing again, but I really can't get enough of this girl, Elie Saab must be delighted as there is no better advertisement for your label thank this. The intricate lace and delicate tone, don't over power the actress' delicate beauty, but only serves to enhance it. I will be keeping a close, almost stalkerish, eye on Fan's style from now on.

Diane Kruger in Giambattista Valli Couture

Diane Kruger looked amazing at the premiere of Moonrise Kingdom, in the colour of the season, mint. The stunning asymmetric gown, nips in perfectly at the waist with exquisite drapery and the long flowing train added a whimsical fairy tale feel.

Frida Pinto in Michael Angel

Taking a risk on the red carpet really paid off for Frida Pinto as she is completely radiant in this Michael Angel gown. The embellished bodice is to die for and the nude pink skirt with daring thigh split added just the right amount of sex appeal.

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

It's probably time the few of you who read my blog knew, I'm obsessed with Tilda Swinton - She is the ultimate queen of cool. I just love her strong androgynous style and long lean shape and how about that impeccable ice blonde quiff...girl crush alert! In all seriousness, this champagne origami silk gown is just incredible, structured and elegant...I love.

Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière

I really wanted to hate this dress, because Kirsten Stewart is such a sour-faced, misery, but I love the intricate and opulent beading on the floor length gown. The thigh-slit shows just the right amount of leg and the skinny leather belt nips in Kristen's svelte waist perfectly - you think this fab gown would give the actress a reason to smile - but no!

So now we get down the the stars, who at least in my opinion, had stylists who decided to have a little giggle - you really should treat those stylists nice, as it looks like a few of them were severely pissed off with their celeb clients.

Irina Shayk in Roberto Cavalli

I don't think it is Irina's dress that's the problem, the Roberto Cavalli gown is beautifully detailed and the scarlet red is super sumptuous - I think it's that she chose a dress several sizes too small. Her breasts are flattened and squeezed to within an inch of their lives (her nipples must be gasping for air, a nip slip would be unsurprising in this number) and with that thigh slash, if you look at her from the wrong angle, your gonna see what that girl had for lunch...if you know what I'm saying!

Cheryl Cole in Stephane Rolland

I know quite a few will disagree with me when I say that Cheryl's red carpet gown is an absolute catastrophe - Cheryl is an absolute dream until you get to the spot just above her knees and then its a car crash. The blood red feathers and splattering red embellishment, give the appearance that she had committed a frenzied murder on the way to a red carpet, or at the very least walked across a bloody abattoir floor as a shortcut.

Michelle Rodriguez in Dolce & Gabbana

I'm usually a huge fan of leopard print, but Michelle, girl you look cheap - animal print and black mess...together...what were you thinking? You have such a hot body and to see it swamped in layer upon layer of nasty fabric is a huge shame - give the dress back to Cher!

What dresses have you guys been loving on the red carpet of Cannes, and what dresses have you been hating? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Sorry for the slight blogger silence, I can't miss opportunities to inject some colour into my corpse white skin...back to the sun!

Gems x

I'M IN THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP - MAY 24th

I'm so excited to report that my Five Year Personal Style Retrospective postwas selected by Jess of Fresh Jess as one of the top 20 post on the week for the Links a la Mode, Independent Fashion Bloggers Weekly Round Up. I feel so proud that such an experienced blogger (an wonderful blogging community) have seen some worth in my blog and adventures in fashion.

Please check out the full round-up below and check out some of the other articles, they really are fab, I'm getting so much DIY inspiration, its awesome!

DIY Days of Summer

Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess

The bloggers are taking it to the crafts these days! What better way to get your wardrobe ready for summer than breathing new life into what you’ve got? This week’s Links a la Mode is chock full of quick & easy DIY projects for everything from crystallized shoes and Miu Miu-inspired clutches to top buns and accessories laced with neon. If getting crafty’s not on your to-do list this week, don’t fret. We’ve also got thoughtful posts on personal style, dressing for summer events, supporting local designers and blogger besties. These posts are getting better and better every week and it was hard to choose just 20 of them. Keep ‘em coming!

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: MAY 24TH

• Aspiring New Moms: Summer in the Office


• Barefoot Duchess: The Top Bun & How to DIY


• Bon Vivant and a Budget: How to Host a Clothing Swap


• Chic Cheat: Oh Miu Miu Stars


• Fashion After Breakfast: DIY Pastel Collar Necklace


• Fashion Love Affairs: 6 Free Ways to End Your Fashion Rut


• Fashion, Well Done: Personal Style - A 5-Year Retrospective


• FashStash: Support Local: Saloni Rathor


• Finely Made: DIY: Lizzie Fortunato Scale Bracelet


• Flounces and Slashes: DIY Swarovski Crystallized Shoes


• I Have a Degree in This: Why You Should Take My Fashion Degree Seriously


• My Confidence and Me: Introducing...(Melissa/For Fi Love, Me)


• My Style Snapshot: Let It Be


• Sea and Swank: What to Wear: Weddings


• Stars For Streetlights: DIY: How to Make a Scarf Shirt


• Style Over Sense: DIY Doorknob Hanger


• The Average Girl’s Guide: Vent Sesh: Consumption


• The Style Safari: Thurs-DIY: Tropical Floral Tee


• Tobruck Ave: BEfriends


• Under the Cottonwood: Trends: Graphic and Bold Prints

SPONSOR:
Spring Sale at Shopbop: Magda Berliner, Weitzman, Rachel Roy, Badgley Mischka, Raquel Allegra, Garde Paris, Rebecca Taylor,Oliver Theyskens & Sonia Rykiel

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Let me know what post is your fave from the weekly round-up (apart from mine of course!)

Gems x

PERSONAL STYLE - WHERE'S THE REF?

As promised in one of my earlier style posts, I have something a little bit more 'dressed up' for you guys...I give you the slutty ref look! I actually didn't notice I looked a little bit like a referee gone bad until I saw the pictures, but it just makes me love the outfit more. This dress from Missguided is my new favourite, its so versatile and wearable, and pops of colour can be added so easily with a vibrant pair of shoes or even a slick of nail polish.

In fact Missguided are on form in the dresses department at the minute, there are so many others that I would love to add to my wardrobe, but May is ebay shopping month so I will have to hope for something special popping up on my search results...I'm sick of ebay suggesting that I should be buying gold lame stripper dresses!

Anyway, this is what I wore to a house-warming party, where as the only non-drinker (I'm a total saint don't you know), I got to laugh at the gang playing drinking games and predictably made repeat trips to the buffet for pizza and those cocktail sticks with sausage, pineapple and cheese...seriously, how great are those?!

Dress and Tights, Missguided.
Shoes, ASOS.
Envelope Clutch, Belt and Jewellery, H&M

NYC Pier 17 Polish
Rimmel Green With Envy 60 Seconds Polish

This outfit had too rather butch women shouting down the street how gorgeous I was...that has to mean it was a success...right?
Have you guys been wearing any sporty-themed outfits recently?
Any suggestions on what colours to wear with this dress next to add a bit of extra wow!

How about this sun UK readers...I'm off for some lunch on the grass...toodles!

Gems x

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

I'm hot, a little bit clammy and filled with a urge, to paint my face in a plethora of bright colours - no I don't have the dreaded Clown-itis, I have caught Olympic fever. With less than 70 days to go until the kick-off in July 27th and the Olympic torch already on UK shores, I have to say I'm getting excited for the two weeks sport and patriotism, and it seems like the world of fashion is also getting in the spirit.

Flag prints are everywhere at the minute, and what better way is there to support you country, than looking fabulous in their colours. Leave the body paint to the topless, beer-gut sporting fellow there is in every crowd and instead show your allegiance with some style.

Rule Britannia:

Union Jack Sunglasses, ASOS.

1.) Union Jack Bikini, Abbey Dawn
2.) Union Jack Watch, Timex
3.) White Union Jack Printed Tee, River Island.
4.) Silver Skull Ring, River Island.
5.) Union Jack Tights, House of Holland for Pretty Polly.
6.) Union Jack Tights, Topshop.
7.) Union Jack Shortie Briefs, George@ASDA
8.) Union Jack Denim Tube Skirt, New Look.
9.) G21 Union Jack Print Dress, George@ASDA
10.) Crafted Union Jack Leggings, Republic.Republic
11.) Union Jack Studded Bag, Religion.
12.) Union Jack Shorts, Missguided.
13.) Jacked Up Sequin Platforms, Iron Fist.
14.) Lip Tattoo and Nail Wrap Combo, Amazon
15.) Cath Kidson Antique Brass Union Jack Earrings, ASOS
16.) Stephanie Wong Limited Edition Studded Bag, Pretty Little Thing

 

Of course I didn't forget my chums from around the world...

Around the World:

1.) Flag Print Dress, Romwe.
2.) Flag Printed Skinny Jeans, Topshop
3.) American Flag Nail Wraps by Nail Rock, Topshop
4.) Australian Flag Print Tights, House of Holland for Pretty Polly.
5.) Australian Ikon Shopper, Ted Baker.
6.) Widill American Flag Super High Platfrom Shoes, Missguided.
7.) Jamaican Flag Evening Dress, Rasta.
8.) American Flag Print Shorts, Topshop.
9.) Greece Flag Earrings, Cafe Press.
10.) Italian Flag Print Tee, Cafe Press.
11.) Flag Dress (Inspired by old French flag), AllSaints

 

Have any of you guys caught Olympic fever? Or seen any amazing flag prints, let me know!

Gems x