A WINTER WALK

I have to say a big thank you, for all the support on my previous post. I think for some people it is really difficult to talk about their problems with anxiety or mental illness, so if I can just encourage one person to speak up then it will be worth it. There is no need to be embarrassed or suffer alone, no matter what you feel, there will be someone who understands you.

Since I had been so anxious for a few weeks, all the times I went out felt like a bit of an ordeal (reminder to self: you survived all those 'ordeals'), I felt I deseved a nice winter walk when I felt better. A trip down to the Sunday quayside market, passing through the castle keep, on a cold fresh day, was a real pick me up.

Jumper, White Stuff - Same Here.
Jeans - TK Maxx.
Biker Boots, New Look - Same Here.
Parka, Noisy May - Same Here.
Bobble Hat, Fat Face.
Satchel, Nice - Similar Here.
Hair Extensions - Competition win from Wonderful Hair.

The parka was a fabulous sale find from ASOS and it is now only £20, so get your hands on it quick - it is super warm, and appears to be waterproof, which is going to be useful in the North East of England. Everything else were Christmas gifts (how luck am I?), including the gorgeous satchel from Nica, it was love at first sight. And thanks to the super quality of my real hair extensions from Wonderful Hair, I have realised that bad hair days are a thing of the past. A few clips and I have long glossy locks to make a mermaid spew up her seaweed in jealousy - take that Ariel!!

How have you been keeping warm on these cold winter days?

Gems x

ON THE GRID

Yes the title is a reference to 'Tron', the greatest movie of all time! When I first so the Sci Fi classic back in the pre-teens, I was blown away by the special effects and seriously wanted a magic disk thing and a light cycle of my own. From a nerdy kid to a super nerdy adult - I've made my peace with it, we can't all be the cool kids, otherwise how on earth would they validate themselves than by thinking they are better than us. Bitter? Me? Well yes actually, what was so wrong with doing my homework on time?

Monochrome Check Shift Dress, Coco & Cleo - Same here.
Red Satchel, Next - Similar Here

Anyway, I picked up this lovely grid print shift dress in the Coco & Cleo sale, for just £5. For that price it is a total bargain - the material is of reat quality, the fit is lovely and I can see getting plenty of wear out of it. I do love a shift dress, but because I have a small frame (10 year old boy small), I tend to add a bit of shape with a waisted belt. A red lip and satchel to add colour, and my trusty leather jacket and I hope I pulled off simple chic.

I'm so full of cold at the minute, I resemble a swamp monster, so I'm sorry I'm not commenting or replying as much as I usually do. Once I'm feeling and looking human again, I will be back. Don't forget I'm selling a few bits on eBay, so check them out, you might be able to grab yourself a bargain.

I hope everyone is feeling good!

Gems x

TO THE BOILER ROOM

Boilersuit, Twenty8Twelve via eBay - Similar Here.

Yup, it's another jumpsuit - I know, I have a problem! This time it is the boiler suit variation of the jumpsuit, which may be my favourite variation because I feel like that hot welder from Flashdance. Don't worry I'm not going to embarass you all and strip off to do a little dance, I save that torture treat for Ryan. He is one lucky boy, exactly four years tomorrow since our first date - it has been a blast!

I tell you, this boiler suit has been my best eBay find of all time - a Twenty8Twelve beauty for just £5. The designer brand was famously founded by the beautiful and stylish Miller sisters, Sienna and Savannah and I got just what I expected from the boiler suit. Superb quality material, cool cut, attention to detail - off duty style at it's finest.

To keep the look casual chic, I teamed it with a simple Boohoo belt (from another jumpsuit), my trusty biker jacket and a pair of funky ballet pumps from Primark to add some colour. Still, I think it would look great styled for a night out with a statement necklace and a killer pair of heels.

How would you style the boiler suit?

Gems x

IT'S LOVE WITH LILAH

Lilah Jumpsuit in Morris Flower, Motel - Same Here.

 A fashion blogger that knows their jumpsuits will be aware of the Morris Flower 'Lilah' jumpsuit from Motel. Still going strong into autumn, the placid blue and monochrome beauty took the fashion world by storm in the summer and spawned a number of number of imitations. But, in my opinion, you can't beat the original and best. The Lilah jumpsuit is crafted from a gorgeous soft material and has a lovely tailored fit, and as jumpsuits go, it is easy to put on and take off - no bathroom acrobatics required.

I felt super confident as soon as I put it on, hence being able to take some pictures in a shopping centre with the public (yes other people) walking around. Of course there was a few ignorant people not just walking in front of the camera, but just standing there looking about, you should be allowed to throw wet tissue paper at these people - is there a such thing as pedestrian rage? Because I think I have it!! It's ok though, I caught sight of my reflection a few moments later and was reminded I was wearing the Lilah jumpsuit, happy days.

This jumpsuit really symbolizes why fashion was such a saviour to me in a dark time, by giving me a boost when I need it. Suffering from depression and anxiety, losing a dream career in research science and feeling about as low as a person can. Then tired of feeling sorry for myself, I brushed my hair, put on some nice clothes, and used the boost it gave me to find that confidence to look for writing work and start a blog of my own. Of course Ryan's support was key for me to keep going when things werent going my way.

There has been success and disappointment in both, but I wont give up - I may not be a highly paid fashion journalist, but I do get to write about it (and many other things) both professionally and for fun. I'm one lucky girl.

What item of clothing gives you that much needed boost?

Gems x

FOR THE JOY OF MONDAY

Denim Shift Dress, Joy - Same Here

No there is no Joy on Monday, I hate Mondays. In fact, I don't care much for Tuesdays either and Wednesdays used to be OK until people started to call it 'Hump Day'. The Joy comes from this gorgeous denim shift dress from online retailer Joy. As you probably know by now, I love anything with a little bit of a retro vibe, and the cut of this dress, with the patchwork denim is pure sixties. So a big thanks to the boyfriend for buying it for me.

Now before anyone says anything, yes I am aware of the faux pas made by a member of Joy's social media team on Twitter, the ignorant remarks made about bipolar disorder. In fact a well known mental health blogger was not impressed with my decision to purchase from Joy, even though it was purchased before the incident. This blogger certainly did not appreciate that as someone who has battled mental illness, I did not feel personally offended and outraged at the remarks. They even accused me of not challenging discrimination and that I was ignoring the harm such remarks can cause.

If this individual had visited my blog, they would have seen that I do my best to help others with mental illness by talking frankly and openly about my own situation. Hopefully, I have made at least one person feel less alone...

Were they upset that on asking my opinion that I was not going to play a victim? Or simply mad that someone with mental illness did not share their view and chose not to be offended by a few insensitive tweets that were apologised for? I don't know, what I do know is that their hurtful tweets to me, did not stop until someone else on Twitter stood up for me and spoke of 'Freedom of choice'.

It is my choice not to be offended and to accept Joy's apology. If I wrote off everyone who said something offensive or ignorant about mental illness, I wouldn't know anyone. I don't believe this is the answer, it is just a way to become more bitter at your own personal situation, angry at the world for the stigma still attached to mental illness. For me the answer is education, to make people more informed about mental illness, so things like Twitter-gate happen less. So no, I wont completely write of an entire company for the remarks of one individual, and just hope that the person who made them is better informed in the future.

I hope this one wasn't too wordy for you, I just wanted to get my feelings across. If you got bored part of the way through I do apologise and Happy Monday!!

Gems x

THE HOUND

Yes that is a reference to Game of Thrones and one of the coolest TV characters there has ever been 'The Hound' - I think he single-handely boosted the sales of fried chicken across the country. If you're a fan of GoT, you will know what I'm talking about. If you're not a fan, you're obviously not watching it right; maybe you're facing away from the TV or something, or you have forgotten to open your eyes.

Houndstooth Playsuit, Boohoo - Similar Here.
Neon Belt, New Look -  Same Here (In the sale for £1.50)

Not only do I love The Hound, but I also love houndstooth (check out my linking skills), it is my second favourite print after leopard print, I love me some streetwalker chic. Monochrome is so easy to wear, as it suits all skin tones and is flattering to all body types, so I don't think any girl can be without a little bit in their wardrobe.

The super cute houndstooth playsuit from Boohoo was an eBay bargain at just 99p - it was like new and such a lovely soft material. It did come with a matching tie belt, bu I decided to add a pop of colour with a neon plaited belt from New Look. Red lips are always a monochrome must, although I would wear red lipstick with my pajamas.

It seems like houndstooth is going to be one of the key trends for the Autumn/Winter season, so I have picked out a few of my favourite high street finds, in case you feel like getting in on it.

The Hound: 1) Houndstooth Blanket Wrap, New Look; 2) Herschel Clutch Bag, ASOS; 3) Houndstooth Shirt, Topshop; 4) Chenille Houndstooth Mini Skirt, Marks and Spencer; 5) Houndstooth Loafers, Peacocks.

What do you lovelies think about the houndstooth trend?

Gems x

THE JUMPSUIT OBSESSION CONTINUES

I haven't been this obsessed with anything since my childhood (well 13 year old) crush on Ash from Pokemon - yes Pokemon the cartoon. I've always had a thing for guys who are ambitious, dedicated and loyal and Ash was all of those things. I would watch every morning before leaving for school and I knew all the words to whatever song they played at the end. Pretty innocent of me considering what some of the girls at my school were already doing by then.

Jumpsuit, Boohoo - Similar Here.
Grey Flats, Primark - In Stores Now.
Name Necklace, Punky Pins - Same Here.

So this new obsession is jumpsuits. I can't get enough of them - their comfort and sartorial awesomeness, way out weights the toilet issues. This casual jumpsuit was a recent purchase in the Boohoo sale and I have barely had it off (and not because it got stuck over my rather large bum). The drawstring waist gives it a sport luxe feel and I can't wait to try it out with some sporty heels and my metallic clutch.

Thanks again for all your continued support about my opening up about mental illness. I don't think I could really face up to it if it wasn't for you guys.

OK I must be off because I've gotta catch 'em all!

Gems x

FOR THE GLAMOROUS

I have to start by saying a huge thank you for all the messages of support on my last blog post - it really was quite overwhelming to know that so many lovely girls are there for me, like the friends I thought I had werent. But, it did make me sad that so many wonderful people had experienced something similar their lives, and if it brought up painful memories, I really am sorry. If any of you need anyone to rant to, I am only an email away.

In the future, I do plan to talk about all my battles with mental illness and all that comes with it in the hopes that both myself and others can stop feeling so ashamed and isolated. But, today I thought maybe I would just keep it light and show lots of pretty pictures of my fabulous new Glamorous jumpsuit that I got for a steal on eBay and it was brand new with the tags.

Strappy Jumpsuit, Glamorous - Same Here.
Floral Biker Jacket, QED London @ TKMaxx - Same Here.
Block Heels, Primark - In Stores Now.
Gold Skinny Belt, H&M - Similar Here.
Mirror Bar Necklace, Punky Pins - Same Here.

When it arrived I was nervous that I wasn't going to get it over my ample bum - I did buy one from H&M without trying it on and I pretty much got stuck in it, I did fear I was going to be forced to wear it forever. That jumpsuit has since met the sewing machine and been transformed into trousers and a crop top, once I was pryed out of it of course.

But with this Glamorous beauty, I need not have worried, it fit beautifully and I felt like I belonged at Studio 54 whilst wearing it. Just give me an afro wig, some novelty sunnies and the goldfish platforms and I'm good to go!

Jumpsuits are definitely by clothing of choice for the moment, what items of clothing are you crushing on right now?

Gems x