TREND ALERT - PEP HEMS

Peplums have been everywhere for the past few seasons, and although I can't deny that they are so chic and glam, they just aren't for me. For my frame I do have quite wide hips and I'm not in a rush to draw attention to them, don't want no thunder thighs on the loose now do we?

But there is an updated version of Peplum that is slowly filtering through, which is much more my bag - it's the PEP HEM. The Pep Hem is just the peplum but lower, instead going around the bottom hem of a skirt or dress, or around a dropped waist, instead of being just above the hip. The reason I love it so much is that they perfectly balance out broad shoulders and hips, creating quite the slimming effect, while putting the figure into proportion.

So, as nice as I am, I am sharing with you some of my favourite Pep Hem dresses so you can get ahead of the fashion pack and pick up one of these fab little numbers.

So which one is your favourite - I'm seriously pining for the squirrel print number from Topshop, it is so adorable!

Hope your weekend has been fantabulous!

Gems x

STUDDED SHOULDERS

A few weeks ago, I was walking past the flat, when something caught the corner of my eye and before I knew it I was stuck in space, staring lustfully through a shop window. It was the most gorgeous little dress - simple black jersey with a dipped-back hem and silver spiked shoulders.  I couldn't stop thinking about it, so when I got back to the flat I took to the internet.

Thanks to my excellent detective skills, I found out that the dress was from super UK label Glamorous - I found a 20% off code on A Daisy Chain Dream so really I was obligated to buy it, so I did. It has probably become my favourite dress because it is just so wearable and so quirky cool. I can't get enough of it...seriously.

Dress, Glamorous - Same Here
Belt, New Look - Similar Here
Shoes, Matalan - Similar Here

Had a bit of bad news with the hours on one of my contracts being cut for a while, but good news is I will have more time to blog - I will be quite poor though!

So anyway, have you guys all bought into the stud trend?

Gems x

LIEBSTER AWARD

I was given a great surprise this morning when the lovely (and I mean seriously lovely) Josie from Josie Loves Shoes nominate me for a Liebster Awards. Josie is one of the nicest girls ever and she is truly inspirational the way she keeps her sense of humour dealing with cystic fibrosis. Not only that, she has a seriously enviable wardrobe, with a stunning collection of Zara shorts and the longest legs to show them off to perfection.

For a few pictures, I thought I would show the outfit that was a guest feature on A Country Girl Does Norfolk, as a figured a few of you may not have seen it...

Dress (worn as top), Sodamix - same here.
Skirt, Primark - similar here.
Necklace, Punky Pins - same here.
Belt, Dorothy Perkins - similar here.

 

So here are the answers to my questions from Josie:

Give me a shoe memory! Favourite pair, first pair, the pair that got away...

I have an extremely long second toe, and I mean extremely long - wearing out my first pair of killer peep toes I was horrifies to see the toe in question was hanging right over the edge of the peep-toe dragging on the pavement.

Cringest moment of your life?

When I was around 14 the family went on holiday to Spain - it was around about the same time I discovered boys. So me and my sister were having a game of pool on the table that was right next to the swimming pool, there was a group of young guys chatting on the sun loungers so I was making an effort to impress them, pretending I was all professional, lining up the perfect shot. I was walking around the table chalking up the cue in a way I though the pro's did it and I walked straight into the swimming pool...fully clothed...complete with cue! The cute boys were laughing so loud I could here it under the water...I should have just drowned myself!

What's your favourite book?

It's a tie between Watership Down and Plague Dogs, both my Richard Adams - I love a good story about plucky animals and each time I read them I am as moved as I was the first time. The end of Plague Dogs never fails to make me cry, if you have read it you will know why!

Favourite Disney character and why?

Well I'm not choosing a cartoon character, I'm choosing a character from one of their live action movies and it has to be Tron, and they why should be obvious...he's awesome!

What's your favourite place to shop?

It changes all the time really, but at the moment it is Triple S (they sell the likes of Glamorous, Motel Rocks, Reverse etc) just because they had an amazing buy one get one free sale on at the weekend and I got 4 amazing pieces for just £10. I almost did a little wee right there in my pants.

Favourite blog right now?

Well apart from Josie Loves Shoes (which I honestly check everyday) it is Fashionalization by the super sweet Emma Gaudet. She is just an ace person in general and her blog is so diverse and interesting - there are outfit posts, inspiration and some wonderful photo shoots with her friends. Great blog from a great girl.

Would you rather snog, marry or avoid an old Jack Nicholson, a chubby Seth Rogan and Jedward?

Well I would have to avoid Jedward if I also wanted to avoid the murder charge. I find Seth Rogan quite annoying too as his only joke is to do with him being a fat loser so he would get the snog so I woudn't have to put up with him for long. And that leaves me marrying an old Jack Nicholson, but since he is ancient he might die soon and as the richest I could be a very well of lady after a few months of discomfort.

Who's your favourite fashion designer? 

It's a hard one, but I am going to say Henry Holland - his collections are fun and quirky and always with heaps of colour. His collections are what I want to wear if I could afford it, instead my current designer of choice is Primarni!

Do you have any pets?

I don't, but I did used to have a hamster called Wispa - he would run around in his wheel so fast that he would get flinged out into the bars of the cage - didn't seem to bother him that much. He is still buried in his little house in the garden of the old house...I hope!

What's your favourite film?

I can't pick just one, so I'm gonna pick the one which I quote the most in my day to day life...Anchorman! “I wanna say something. I’m gonna put this out there if you like it, you can take it, if you don’t, send it right back. I wanna be on you!"

Who's your favourite model?

To be honest I don't know that much about models, weird for a chick with a fashion blog I know, but I never find my inspiration coming from models, because come on, no one is really that attractive. So I'm going to say Naomi Campbell, because I find her diva tantrums hilarious!

OK on to nominating some bloggers myself:

• Fashionalization: Emma is such a sweetie and I'm so jealous of he pixie looks.
• Country Girl Does Norfolk: Sophie is such a fun-loving girl and so genuine, plus she has a great pair of fake litas, stop by and see how she styles them.
• The Brunette Diaries: Lisa has the best collection of girly dresses ever and she has the secret to eternal youth, I'm sure of it!
• Who Is She: Fellow northern girl Ray is a beauty guru, I'm always checking out her blog for advice.

And now for the questions:

• I have a phobia of onions, what is your weirdest phobia?
• What style of clothing, accessory etc would you like to see wiped from the planet?
• You are the Terminator, who's parents do you go after, Justin Beiber's or Hugh Jackman's? - remember they are both terrible, there is no wrong answer here. 
• What is the worst TV show ever and why?
• Most underrated actor/actress?
• What has been your ultimate fashion faux pas?

I'm so looking forward to seeing the answers!

Gems x

LEGS ELEVEN

I have quite a lot of outfit posts backed up, since I have been so busy the last few weeks being glued to the Olympics and chained to the desk with work, so I though it was time to get posting - see how dedicated I am, doing this for you guys on a Saturday night. Well actually I'm anything to avoid the X-Factor, I can't forgive them for unleashing Olly Murs on the world, or Alexander Burke for that matter and what about Louis Walsh? Some things can't be unseen or unheard...Oh the horror!

So now that the rant is over, I can tell you that this is what I wore when I popped out for a few drinks a few weeks ago -  I am certainly getting a lot of wear out of my £3.99 shorts.

Shirt, Bershka - Same here.
Shorts, H&M - Same here.
Wedge Trainers, Primark - In Store Now!
Skinny Belts, New Look  - Similar here.

I'm still loving my wedge trainers, the most comfortable heels there can ever be - official!

I've recently become addicted to American TV series Supernatural, so I'm of to watch some more of that. Any recommendations for must see TV?

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

LITTLE GEM ON THE PRAIRIE

  When the lovely Stephanie of Praiire Charms asked me if I was interested in taking part in her Project Blogger, I first went along to the website to see what it was all about. Well first I can tell you that Prairie Charms is a handmade bracelet brand with a big heart. Sourcing gems and charms from all over the world, they make sure that each piece is limited edition and this is isn't just wonderful for the weather, it also does something wonderful for someone else.

You see Prairie Charms donates 10% of profits to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, 'Kiss it Better', which aims to raise money for the research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer - now isn't that something worth dipping your pockets into for.

As part of their Project Blogger, a whopping 50% discount is given on an item of your choice, which is not only a right little bargain, but it also means that Prairie Charms can still donate to their super charity of choice. So with my mega discount I splashed out and went for the bracelet set imaginatively entitled, 'All Imaginable Futures Are Not Equally Possible' and included two gorgeous wooden bead bracelets with bow and feather vintage-style charms.

 Keeping in with the spirit of charity I wore them with the super wooden rings I picked up last week at a event at Newcastle Cathedral, where all the proceeds went to various good causes. The black and cream wooden beads are surprisingly glossy, which contrasts well with the tarnished gold of the charms. Also hurray for elastic, which means they wont be slipping off my teeny tiny wrists when I'm walking around.

I think what Prairie Charms is doing is wonderful, so I'm going to GIVE AWAY one of the bracelets to one of you lucky readers. You don't have do anything to win, all you have to do is leave a comment below with your email address and which colour you would prefer. It's open internationally and closes midnight 12th August.

I will ask you one thing though, since we are talking charity, is to consider donating a pound or two to brave the Jamie Inglis Appeal - a really brave little boy suffering from neuroblastoma, who's best chance of survival is with treatment in Germany, following a relapse in his condition, but since the NHS will not pay his family is desperately trying to raise the £250,000 required. I saw his story on the news and my heart just broke and I went straight to his Just Giving page, and if you take the time to visit you may just want to help too, no matter how small it all counts.

Oh and if you want to take part in the Prairie Charms Project Blogger, visit this page to find out all the necessary info.

Have any of you guys visited Prairie Charms yet? My stunning bracelet set has sold out unfortunately, but their 'To the Moon and Back' piece is just as pretty.

Gems x

MISSGUIDED - AUTUMN/WINTER 2012

Well it's been a bit of a Missguided week on Fashion, Well Done and it just has to continue as I fell in love when I saw the online retailers Autumn/Winter 2012 collection on Look. The collection  is Missguided first foray into designing, so the pieces are totally unique to the brand and feature luxurious sequins, edgy sheers and plenty of glitz and glam. It's Missguided at its best, the tough rock chic touches have me drooling at my keyboard - the edgy little black dresses are rocking my world and sure to cause some turmoil to my bank account.

So anyway, here are my favourite pieces of the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection from Missguided, you can see the full line on Look, here.

I so want the leather sleeve mac and the black leatherette dress - Missguided seems to have just been rooting around in my brain, designing the pieces that are sure to bankrupt me by Christmas...at least I will be one well-dressed tramp!

Which are your fave pieces from this fab collection?

Gems x

JUST A LITTLE MISSGUIDED

You have probably heard me wax lyrical about Missguided - I have a serious girl crush on their clothes, particularly their fabulous monochrome stripe pieces, just like my lovely little dress I have sported before on this blog, just a little more dresses up for a night out. When I bought this dress, I knew I would get a lot of wear out of it for its versatility - dressed up or dressed down, it still makes me feel cute as a button, without being too girly.

If I wasn't on another self-imposed spending ban (I splashed out getting some pieces from my new favourite trend, Urban Rebel) I would be hammering the Missguided site right now, but instead of spending myself into the poor house, I am keeping my eye on some cheeky little Ebay bargains, because you know Ebay finds don't count as spending.

So anyway, I popped on this cutie dress on for a Sunday morning of tea and scones (I'm all sophisticated and that) and cheese scone with a bit of jam on was the revelation of the day!

Dress, Missguided - In the sale now HALF PRICE!!
Spiked Loafers, Matalan - Same Here.
Studded Belt and Spiked Bracelet, New Look - In Store Now!

Are any of you lovely ladies (or guys - I don't judge) fans of Missguided or monochrome stripes? i just wish I could cure my addiction to both!

Gotta go, my Olympic Fever is acting up!

Gems x