CARTOON HEROES

I m so terrible at taking pictures for outfit posts by myself, I really should think about getting a tripod for my camera. I just rest it on something, set the timer and hope for the best. Most of the time it falls over and I end up getting a shot of the ceiling. I really need to start getting out on the weekends, to take some pictures outside, since there is finally some sun out there. I've jinxed it now haven't I?

I also think I need to get in shape, I should not be aching all over from giving the flat a good clean yesterday. In my defense I did pull one of the muscles tripping whilst shaking out the duvet and one of my legs is sore from bashing it off the bed, also known as the 'Shin-Shredder'.

Anyway, back to the dress - I love the over-the-top print (that's how the inside of my brain probably looks) and the midi length - but I'm still not sure I can get away with the bodycon style dress, because I'm flat of chest, but huge of ass (by comparison). I think it looks like two mismatched bodies have been stuck together.

Bodycon Midi Dress, New Look - Similar Here.

 

How do you guys feel about the bodycon? Has it had it's day and should move over for the skater dress?

Gems x

MY LITTLE BIRDIES

Here is another outfit post from the archives, but it is still one that I like a lot. I know the dip hem is no longer in fashion, but I am still a huge fan - plus I have never really been one to follow the trends, how else can you explain that I used to wear a nightie with a hideous huge cat print as a dress....in public! It doesn't end there, I wore it with a hideous old lady belt and a diabolical mullet haircut. I was 21 at the time, so I can't blame anyone but myself.

But we have all had out fashion faux pas right? At least I don't think the following outfit is worthy of calling the Fashion Police, but in ten years down the line I may think differently. Too bad we don't have the power of hindsight on these sorts of things, isn't it?

Dip Hem Top - Triple S - Similar Here
Leatherette Trousers, H&M - Similar Here.
Studded Loafers, Matalan - Similar Here

What fashion disasters have you had in the past?

Gems x

A HIDDEN GEM

I can't believe how many old outfit pictures I have hidden within the mysterious depths of my computer, many of them I don't even remember wearing some of them. I have to admit, some of them don't look good and have been swiftly deleted - I didn't even know I could make some of those faces. My boyfriend often jokes that I can't keep any part of my body still for any amount of time, especially my mouth. What must people on the street think of me.

I have had these jeans for almost a year and a half and I bloody love them, but I have only worn them a few times, because I don't have anything to go with them, they are a really awkward Shade of Grey, awkward like getting on a bus and sitting next to an old lady enthusiastically reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

These pictures were taken in the old flat and although I do miss all the space, I definitely do not miss cleaning up the mess from dirty boys. I mean what kind of person blocks the shower with their disgusting hair, then just leave it...ankle deep dirty water and all?

White Shirt, H&M - Similar Here.
Jeans, H&M - Similar Here.
Studded Loafers, Matalan -Similar Here.

Right, I'm off to psyche myself up for the errands I have to run and the articles I have to write.

Gems x

H&M STUDIO COLLECTION A/W 2014

Well I am back to the blog after taking a little over a week off following the death of my Grandad; if I had continued my heart would not have been in it and I didn't want to churn out some rubbish because I felt I had to. His funeral was yesterday and it was really touching to see that he meant so much to so many people.

So now that I am back, I couldn't think of a better place to start than with my high street favourite, H&M. This week the Swedish brand had an amazing catwalk show to show off their Autumn/Winter 2014 studio collection, which attracted the attention of many a celebrity beauty, with the likes of Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and Solange Knowles, sitting in the front row. Those of us not lucky enough to get an invite could watch the show anyway, via a live stream thanks to the miracle of the internet.

The show at Paris Fashion Week, held inside the gorgeous Grand Palais, was an absolute triumph, with each piece being as desirable as the last. H&M's head of design, Ann-Sofie Johannson explained the collection: “We had a lot of different influences when we started. We though about something sporty, something a bit more rock and roll, something bohemian. In the end it came back to how does a girl want to dress for the coming season, what does she want to have? We looked at early Kate Moss from the 90’s, we had Charlotte Gainsbourg there. She always had that little bit of a tomboy feel. We also thought about club girls running to and from the club in their little slip dresses with a heavy coat or top.”

I just can't wait for Winter to come around once again, check out some of my favourite looks.

If you want to see the whole collection, you can watch the video below...it is worth it.

 

What is your favourite piece from the collection? And make sure you tell all your loved ones you love them this weekend, you certainly wont regret that.

Gems x

GEMMA SEWS DON'T YOU KNOW - PART 2

As I am still quite the novice at sewing, I do find it quite difficult to figure out what I am doing with patterns -I have two lovely Vogue patterns from Sew Direct that I haven't even opened because I know they are beyond my skills at the moment. So when I found a book that had a bunch of on-trend sewing projects that didn't require patterns, I snapped it up.

So the first thing I decided to make was this little tunic dress out of a fabulous tie dye fabric and some contrasting bias binding to tidy up the seam on the neckline. All you had to do was to draw around a men's t-shirt on your fabric and cut it out twice and stitch it together with some elastic through the middle to create some shape. I also decided to roll up the sleeves and stitch to give it a neater look.

 

 

What do you guys think, did I do good?

Gems x

FUR AND FLOWERS

Not real fur of course, before the animal activists out there hunt me down with their buckets of red paint, I hate it as much as you do. It's my most favourite jacket ever, this faux fur beauty from next that my sister bought me for Christmas. It isn't as bulky as a lot of the fluffy lovelies out there, which is great for my small frame, but it does have just enough bulk on it to give the pea head effect...I have a laughably small head!

Then again if I had a normal size head on my tiny frame, I'd be a lollipop head to rival that of Nicole Richie...seriously Nicole have a pie or something. This dress is my new favourite dress, so I'm looking for any excuse to wear it - I was just going for my hair cut, but wanted to put it on because I love the colour and print so much. It is by a brand called Ribbon, stocked in one of my fave high street stores, Bank.

Faux Fur Coat, Next - Similar Here
Neon Flower Dress - Ribbon @ Bank - Same Here
Boots - New Look - Similar Here

Does anyone else have body issues like my pea head problem?

Gems x

ULTIMATE AND REALISTIC - VALENTINES SPECIAL

You can't get moved in the shops without being bombarded with romantic paraphernalia - tat that people wouldn't usually give a second look are bought by the bucket load, in the hope of impressing that special someone. Anyone who knows me, will be aware that I don't buy into that romantic nonsense - I can often be heard making a retching sound when there is anything slightly soppy on TV.

Don't get me wrong, I will send the boyfriend nice text messages, but him little treats and give him a nice head scratch on the sofa. I certainly don't wait until February the 14th to do something nice, I try to do it all year round. Our idea of romance is telling each other 'I love you' in a Scooby Doo voice, it makes me laugh and it says so much about our relationship - we spend so much time together and it is effortless and fun, but there is something deeper there, no matter how hard we try to hide it under jokes.

So for this Valentine's Day, as we are both self-employed, we are going to treat ourselves to the day off and enjoy a long weekend enjoying each others company. I might even get the sewing machine out and make myself something as a little gift to myself.

Still if I did like to celebrate Valentine's Day, I know I would want to get all dressed up, but not in anything red, girly or featuring the world's most disgusting print...the heart print! So here is an ultimate and realistic Valentine's Day look for the not to girly girl...

Ultimate:  Deco City Tunic, Clover Canyon - £359; Pigalle Spikes 100 Leather Pumps, Christian Louboutin - £845; Loubiposh Spiked Patent Leather Clutch, Christian Louboutin - £595; Leather Blazer, Band of Outsiders - £1,175.
Total: £2,974

Realistic:  Black Abstract Print Shift Dress, River Island - £50; Mint Green Patent Platform Courts, New Look - £22.99; Coast Envelope Clutch, Debenhams - £35; Single Breast Jacket, H&M - £24.99.
Total: £132.98

I can't deny that I am a bit of a fan of Christian Louboutin and that the Band of Outsiders leather blazer does not rock my world, but how good a match is the River Island dress? They have some amazing mirror and kaleidoscope prints in at the minute that will be so on trend for spring. I am loving tunic shapes right now too, specially with the t-shirt sleeve...drool!

What is currently on your 'money is no object' list?

Gems x