RETRO FLORALS

I'm not a girly kind of girl - I mean I wore tracksuits and football shirts until I was 18, come to think of it, I didn't get my first boyfriend until I was18 too, do you think the two might be related. So still having a hefty dose of tom boy running through my veins, I just can't go to girly, it just isn't me no matter how beautiful pinks and pretty flowers look on other people. I would just feel like a man in a dress - not even a drag queen because they at least have some glamour.

I still do like floral prints, but they can't be to floaty, frilly or fussy - the girlier they are, the more manly I'd feel. So I was delighted when I saw this lovely retro floral dress in a charity shop a few months ago (it was the last thing I actually bought myself - how bad is that for a fashion blogger?). It has a slight 50's feel to it, with the button down style and contrasting sleeves.

To add a bit of edge, I teamed it with my spiked boots (which have a strange rattle in the heel - what the hell is that?) and my faux fur beauty as it was still a little but chilly...

Floral Dress, Primark via Charity Shop.
Studded Bag - Gift
Boots - Discount Shoe Store.

Are you girly, or do you have a more tom boy style?

Gems x

GETTING SHIFTY

Eurgh! I can't believe it is Monday again - People often think it must be amazing to work for yourself because you can take the day off whenever you feel like it. That is just rubbish; you actually probably work more than most, because if you don't work you don't get paid. There is no sick pay, no holiday pay and no personal days - before I start taking time off, I better consider whether or not I feel like continuing to enjoy food and shelter.

So this Monday the blues have hit me hard - Monday you can kindly *Bleep* *Bleep* *Bleep* and go *Bleep* yourself right in the *Bleep*. I suppose I can't complain too much, I do something I genuinely love, I wish I just didn't have to do it so blooming often.

So rant over, on the the fashion bit. This is one of my amazing charity shop finds, a gorgeous printed shift dress from Primark that was brand new - tags, little spare button, the lot. It looks better on than I could have hoped and I seriously love the little pockets in the front. Because the print is so beautiful I kept the accessories to a minimum, just adding some studded boots and bag, and a contrasting nail polish.

Faux Fur Coat - Next
Shift Dress - Primark via Charity Shop
Studded Boots - I Don't Remember (Sorry)

HyperGel in Blue Glint - Models Own

How do you guys deal with the Monday Blues?

Gems x

CHARITY AND EBAY HAUL ACTION

Money has been tight recently, but as a fashion blogger, I feel constant pressure to be always wearing something new and my bank balance can't handle that, plus the cobwebs that line my pockets are getting lonely for the company of money. I'm probably not the only fashion blogger to feel this way and it probably isn't right - The vast majority of us don't have big collaborations with retailers and everything we buy has to come out of our own pocket.

With finances not at their best, I have been spending a lot less recently and when I do buy something, it has to be a great deal, or something from eBay or a charity shop.

 I have to say I have been seriously impressed with the quality of clothing in the charity shops - long gone are the days of musty smelling pieces you are sure someone must have died in. Their death was caused by the frightfulness of their hideous clothes. I bought two gorgeous Primark dresses from the British Heart Foundation shop for just £5 each - one of them was brand new and the other was in great condition, so I don't think anyone died in them, which is a bonus.

I have worn both and I love them, so keep a eye out for some outfit posts coming in the future. The yellow and monochrome shift dress is particularly lovely on, it's one of my new faves.

Now to eBay - how difficult is it to go crazy bidding on some heinous crap, just because you don't want anyone else to beat you. Well I have managed to curb that competitive instinct and have learned to put a maximum bid on a desirable piece and then just walking away. I have been so lucky recently, paying no more than £4 for any of these dresses and the Topshop number I got for free as my sister bought it from eBay, but it was too small for her.

H&M Conscious Collection

River Island

Topshop

But i have done the tiniest little bit of high street shopping. I fell in love with this minty kimono in H&M a few weeks ago and at just £9.99 I knew it would be a great investment for summer, now I just need some sun.

Kimono, H&M - Same Here.

 What do you guys think of eBay and charity shops?

Gems x

STUDS AND CHAMBRAY

Last week it was my lovely Mam's (most of you would call her Mom or Mum) birthday, so in addition to the two lovely maxi dresses I bought her, me and the boyfriend decided we would take her for a meal as she is always cooking for us. We took her to a local curry house, where you can bring your own booze (which totally keeps the bill down - bonus) and I have to say the food was fantastic, I could have eaten myself into the grave.

We had such a good time and when we got back we stuck some candles into an utterly decadent chocolate cake, turned all the lights off and got my mam to blow them all out, she was really grateful it was lovely. So having stuffed my face was there room for cake? You better believe there was...complete with squirty cream!

Anyway, here is what I wore...

Chambray Dress, H&M - same here.
Biker Jacket, Matalan - similar here.
Shoes, H&M - same here.
Clutch, Thrifted - similar here.
Necklace, Punky Pins - same here.

Nail Varnish, H&M - similar here.
Anchor Ring, Gift - similar here.
Silver Rings, H&M, in store now!

Have you guys been anywhere nice for food recently? What unusual food would you recommend that everyone should try?

By the way I am so impressed with the amount of use I am getting out of my £3 thrifted bag - result!

Gems x

DON'T WAIT UP!

I'm completely running out of outfit posts - I work from home as a freelance writer, so most of the time I'm tramping it up in my pyjamas or sporting a rather shameful pair of joggers! But at least I can say I do try to make the effort when I head out - I don't want you guys thinking I am a horrible slob (although on a Sunday evening that is exactly what I am).

So anywhere this is what I wore out to a simple lunch out followed by a little bit shopping - I was testing out the hippy look with this neckerchief (worn as a headband) that my boyfriend bought me from Topman (he didn't know what it was but thought I could make use of it, pretty sweet huh?)

Printed Tank, Miss Selfridge - similar here.
Skinny Jeans, Primark - similar here.
Pixie Boots, Ebay - similar here.
Neckerchief (as headband), Topman - similar here.
Studded Bag, Thrifted - similar here.
Cassette Necklace, Punky Pins - same here.

Have any of you guys been trying out any new styles that aren't your norm?

I could also do with some suggestions of what to wear to a wedding party - I'm totally stumped, the last wedding I went to I felt unbelievably overdressed, which led to a rather strange woman following me to the toilet and saying I looked like I belonged in Closer magazine - I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not!

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

COLLAR CANDY

Last Friday night, the boyfriend and I met up with a few friends for what was supposed to be a few drinks before coming back to cook some food. So I got dresses nice and out we went - half 9 ticked round and I was bloody starving, and by this point I could tell the boy needed something on his stomach. So being the wonderful girlfriend I am, I offered to take my leave to go and prepare some food while he went and had another drink (incidentally crippling hunger kicked in as I passed a McDonalds walking back to the flat and I caved, but that's beside the point).

Anyway his phone died immediately after we parted and since I had to only key to get into the building that the flat is in, logic would tell most people to catch up with me and come back, especially since the buzzer doesn't work either. But no, I was told through several frantic Facebook messages to pass my number on to one of the friends so he could ring me shortly (yeah right) when he wanted to be let in.

Anyway, hours passed and I informed the friend that I was very tired so it might be an idea for the mister to come back before I fell asleep! Another hour went by and yeah I was getting pretty darn angry, but fell asleep anyway. For some reason I awoke at half 1, no sign of the boyfriend, no messages whatsoever so I was pissed and worried. To see if I could see a paralytic mess resembling my boyfriend asleep somewhere on the street and I saw his friend frantically running across the street and yelling.

I went to the flat door to see my boyfriend staring forlornly through the letterbox - drunk was an understatement! Following some rather humorous bedside acting and some dry-wretching under the covers (thankfully I got him to the bathroom to empty the contents of his stomach) he managed to get loudly off to sleep.

If that wasn't bad enough I got BBQ sauce on my shirt - anyway, here is what I wore...

Shirt, H&M - similar here
Jeans Primark - similar here..
Shoes, ASOS - similar here.
Collar Pins, Republic - In store now!
Studded Clutch, Thrifted - similar here.

Barry M Nail Paint in Mint Green and Gold Foil

I absolutely love my new collar piece - it adds an extra bit of glam to a simple button down shirt. Do any of you have any interesting collar jewels or tips, because I'm totally after some more.

By the way my guest post for Country Girl Does Norfolk is live now, so please check it out here.

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

Gems x