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

STREET STYLIN'

'Flutterby' T-shirt, Percy Cute - Same Here.
Faux Fur Coat, Next - Similar Here.
Faux Leather Trousers, H&M - Similar Here.

So this is where I reveal the extent of my nerdyness - I went to see the first showing of 'The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies' last night at midnight and I have to say it was awesome. All the other midnight showings I have been too, have been really quiet, but this one was packed of Hobbit enthusiasts, but sadly no one dressed as an elf, or orc. So if you do plan on going to see it, I recommend booking in advance.

Anyway to the fashion stuff. This outfit was worn a few weeks ago, whilst the leaves we still clinging onto the trees, as unexplicably as Callum Best clings onto a career. I love simple street style looks, so my Percy Cute 'Flutterby' tee got another outing, teamed with my trust faux leather trews from H&M. As the weather was colder than a witches teat, the faux fur beauty from Next was needed to stop me from complaining all day long.

Is everyone all ready for Christmas? I look at the massive pile of wrapping I have to do, and it makes me want to cry!

Gems x

GOTHIC LACE

I love black lace! It is probably one of the most perfect fabrics, because it is so versatile. It can be classy and elegant, cool and grunge, and even a little dark and Gothic. I think back lace may be my go to look for the Winter season and perhaps beyond - I tried one dress from Lulu's Boutique and that's it I was totally hooked.

Lexi Lace Dress, c/o Lulu's Boutique - Same Here.
Caramel Hair Extensions, Wonderful Hair.

The cut of the dress is sensational, the fit is exquisite and the organza overlay is just to die for. The organza is tailored so it fits to the form and the lace underneath flares out a little underneath, to flatter, by helping to slim the hips and accentuate any bum.

Since I have quite pale skin, I thought it would be a great opportunity to try out a slightly Gothic look, so I went for a berry lip and popped in my Wonderful Hair Extensions, which I won in a competition with Etail PR - I know I am one lucky girl.

Rose Quarts Necklace, c/o Lulu's Boutique - Same Here
Pastel Nails - Ciate London.

 

 

So if you are looking for a fabulous dress for party season, you really should think about stopping my Lulu's Boutique. Here's where you can find them:

Website: www.luluslondon.com/index.html
Instagram: www.instagram.com/luluslondon
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LulusLondon
Pintrest: www.pinterest.com/LulusLondon/

How would you style black lace?

Gems x
*Dress provided by Lulu's London for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are my own.

ROSE QUARTZ FROM LULU'S LONDON

I have to admit, I have become seriously obsessed with necklaces recently. I have never been a huge jewellery person, maybe it is because I often end up with ear trauma when I try to wear earrings and I'm way to clumsy to wear anything pretty on my wrist - it will end up snagged on a door handle  or rogue tree branch within a few seconds of wearing it. Maybe I should start looking where I'm going, instead of looking around wildly in all directions like a crazed meercat.

But I have always had a fondness for necklaces, despite the fact that I often forget to take them off  before I go to sleep, and end up choking myself. So when the lovely girls at Lulu's Boutique, got in touch and asked if I would like to review their fabulous Rose Quartz necklace*, I skipped around the room a little bit.

I love the strong geometric shape, that is juxtaposed with the delicate soft pink shade and delicate chain, and I love how the pendant is held in place, it s so interesting. In recent months, I have really moved away from bold statement necklaces, instead choosing, more simple and chic pieces, and this beauty from Lulu's Boutique, is sure to be a firm favourite over the holiday season. At just £10, it is an absolute bargain, for the amount of wear anyone could get out of it.

How lovely does it look against the placid blue of my sporty tee? And look how delightfully delicate that chain is, just look at it!! I am so in love with it and can't thank the lovelies at Lulu's for sending it to me. Don't forget to follow them on Twitter with @LulusLondon, to keep up to date with all of their fabulous new arrivals. They have some party dresses to die for, there is a couple of black lace numbers that I definitely have my eye on.

What have you been loving thins week?

Gems x
*Necklace provided by Lulu's London for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are my own.

MANICURE MONDAY 03

Sorry I have been so quiet this week, work has been very busy and there is a special person in my life that has needed me more than the blog. So I have been a bit neglectful of the blog, but I feel like my time has been spend in the right place.

I can't believe it is Manicure Monday again already, and the 1st of December to boot, how fast does time go - it is true what they say, when you hit 30 everything becomes a blur. Anyway, back to mani Monday and for this week things have went all magnetic with Sally Hansen.

I have never tried a magnetic polish before as I wasn't convinced they would work, but when I saw this Sally Hansen lovely in Poundland, well there was no reason not to buy it. A few seconds of holding the magnet over the wet polish and a cool wavy design is revealed, absolutely genius! And I have to say it is one of the most durable polishes, ever - I wore it for 4 days, without even a single chip, I am seriously impressed. I urge you all to give it a try.

And how about this for an added bonus, it goes perfectly with my gunmetal faux leather dress from Hybrid which I won in a competition. I plan of rocking them both of Christmas day - it is definitely a day for metallics, even if I will surely fall asleep open mouthed, shortly after the dinner. I will at least look good doing it.

What is on your nails on this Manicure Monday?

Gems x

MANICURE MONDAY 02

WINTER WHITE EDITION

Maybelline Color Show in Winter Easy
H&M glitter polish in Jo is in the house.

Reading the news recently I wasn't surprised to see a story that there was going to be heavy snowfall in the UK. The same story comes around every year, the whole population freaks out, and then there is barely a flurry to be seen. It's funny because if even a centimetre of snow falls, the entire country comes to a standstill, with people panic buying bread and milk.

Anyway, inspired by the snowy news, I picked up a winter white nail polish from the Maybelline Color Show line, to mix with a bit of glitter to create snowflake, frosty nails. I would love it if the white was more opaque, but I do love the little sparkle of the glitter over the top. Perfect for party season, don't you think?

I have a few Color Show polishes and the are reat value for money for just £2.99 - £3.99 a piece. They go on super smooth and dry to a lovely shiny finish. You are better off with 3 thin coats as opposed to 2 thick ones, to keep the look even, instead of streaks. Here are some of my party favourites from Color Show, all available at Superdrug...

1) Dazzle.
2) Cool Blue.
3) Love Lilac.
4) Ocean Blue.
5) Tutti Fruiti.
6) Vinyl Black.

Can you tell I'm favouring a certain colour palette for the winter season? What have you been wearing on your nails for manicure monday?

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

MANICURE MONDAY 01

Those that know me, or follow me on Instagram, will know that I am obsessed with all things nails. The thing is I hardly ever create blog posts about my manicure efforts, eventhough there is barely a day that goes by without me painting my nails (and half my fingers in the process) or popping on some fabulous falsies.

Well, when I picked up this Barry M Silk Polish in Forest, I knew it was blog worthy, as it is bloody beautiful. It applies super smoothly, as you would expect from any Barry M polish and just two thin coats is enough to give a saturated coverage. It dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish, almost like a candy shell, it is just lovely and feels so nice on the nails.

Forest is ther prefect shade for the festive party season with it's deep green metallic shade and subtle glitter flecks that sparkle when they catch the light. I wore the polish like this for a few days, but then the polish started to chip on the ends after washing a mountain of dishes. But I wasn't ready to say goodbye to forest. So I covered the chips with  some silver from Maybelline Color Show and a top coat and the result was dazzling.

My success with Forest has resulted in me lusting over many gorgeous winter shade from Barry M, I am such a nail varnish addict...

1) Silk Effects in Meadow.
2) Chameleon Effect in Blue.
3) `The Royal Textured Glitter Collection in Gold Majesty
4) Nail Paint in Silvery Lilac.
5) Nail Paint in Racing Green.
6) Nail Paint in Raspberry.
7) Nail Paint in Gold Mine.

I hope you liked my first Manicure Monday, there will be plenty more to come as I bought myself a Ciate advent calender from TK Maxx for the bargain prince of £19.99 - it feels like December will never get here. It appears to have sold out online, but if you are lucky you might be able to nab one in store.

Any wintery nail shades you would reccommend?

Gems x

FLORALS FOR TOMBOYS

There is so many super gorgeous florals in the shops right now for the Autumn/Winter season., but as a former tomboy, I really struggle with them. Sometimes when I think about myself and how I look, I still see the sixteen year old, round glasses wearing, bad-skinned uber nerd, who had the curves of a ruler. That Gemma wore nothing but tracksuits (the baggier the better) and was painfully shy - she would neer have worn a pretty floral dress, just in case someone noticed her.

Floral Dress, Ribbon @ Bank - Similar Here.
Biker Jacket, Matalan
Necklace, Oasap - Similar Here.
Stiudded Bag, Birthday Gift

Even now, if I try anything too feminine on, I feel incredibly uncomfortable - like how I imagine a dog feels when it is forced to wear a dress. You have to wrestle that dog into the dress and then it spends the rest of the day looking miserable!

I wear a lot of dresses, but none of them are too girly - no frills, never any lace or crochet details, and anything with sequins is out. I tend to go for bold prints, denims and something with a bit of edge. That doesn't mean I can't do florals, I just make sure I accessorise with leather and studs to keep my tomboy vibe. I tend to avoid feminine colours and dainty prints too - My goal is never to be called 'A Lady', it would feel like an insult.

I loved this Ribbon dress from Bank on first sight. The fit accentuates what little curves I have, and the neon print, whilst being floral, is not in the slightest bit girly.

What are you're tips for wearing Autumn Florals?

Don't forget to enter my UK Giveaway for beauty goodies.

Gems x