What's in my Bag?

I love these posts on other people blogs! And I'm trying to do a different feature each week to spice up my blog, along side what I want, my outfit posts, occasional recent buys and bakery items. Like I said before, I love these posts, mainly because I'm nosey, and I also have a big love for bags that I don't put enough of into my blog. 

My love at the moment, and has been since August 2011 (with the occasional going out bag, and other satchels I have) is this doctors bag. I bought this from the lanes in Brighton, on a trip last year to visit my friend. They had a ten percent off day at the leather shop near the end of them, and the guy couldn't work out ten percent off of £65 so I got it for £55. I did tell him but I don't think he could be bothered with it! I love the style shape and the dark brown leather of it, it's a classic, also the older it gets the better it looks. Anyway, this bag has been through a lot with me, working in London and various trips, fitting loads in. The straps are still holding out. 

This is what I usually keep in my bag! Starting from top left: 

A notepad, diary and pen, for noting things down like phone numbers (for all those handsome men who stop me and give me theirs. Naat) and reminders, or simply to jot down amazing thoughts I get for the blog! Doesn't happen often I tell you. 

My compact, which I recently added, it was my grandma's. And a little digi camera, for when I can't carry my DSLR. 

A little make up bag, with essentials.

A perfume sample, like this pretty one which is an old Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani, it always looks super pretty in my bag. And a hand lotion, I stole from a hotel one time, woops!

Travel Card and old train tickets that I keep for no reason whatsoever!

My Fossil Purse, I never thought I'd spend over a fiver on a purse, but I loved this vintage one. 

My iPhone and headphones, that I couldn't live without 

Old sunglasses that I throw in, they were my mums and have been fixed three times she says from the 80's. I love the tortoise shell effect. And a cheeky pack of tissues for emergencies.

If anyone else has done this type of post let me know, I'd love to check more out! Hope you liked a delve into my bag!

Gem xo

Penny's From Heaven

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! It's been a bit hit and miss with the weather here in the UK, so I've been reading a lot of blogs to try and get some advice what to wear when the weather turns horrible, showers everywhere!(hence the blog title, I'm trying to be positive about the rain, we're in a drought after all). 

Moving on! After my successful trip to Bygone Times, I went to Botany Bay in Chorley. It is supposed to be the bigger better version of Bygone Times. But frankly, it is not. It has lovely things, but there weren't as many vintage bits, or items that were individual and had a bit of history to them. If this doesn't sound too mean, it was just full of 'tat' really. It was all new stuff or things you'd find in your local pound shop. Now, I'm probably being too harsh as I was expecting great things like I had gotten with Bygone Times, where I could rummage and be nosey. And it had a great penny arcade that I got my mum to play on with me, so it wasn't terrible.

Anyway I wore this to go, wearing layers just in case the weather changed it's mind. Luckily it was dry on Saturday so I wore these wedges. Comfy to walk in but I occasionally go over on my ankle, I've mentioned before my weak ankles, but I still insist on wearing them. My black skinnies, which I bought a second pair of as they went into the ASOS Curve sale, so bargain. And this floaty top. I've had it for ages, but as not to spend money I've been looking for tops I can wear with leggins or skinnies as it gets warmer and this cream number fits the bill. It has spaghetti straps so stays up but the straps can be tucked in too. You can also wear this as a skirt as it buttons all the way up to the top. My favourite thing about this top is the detailing, which you can't see, but it's floral and all in cream so it keeps the top pretty and simple. And to layer it up I threw my leather jacket over the top. Still not getting sick of this baby.

To add a pop of colour I wore this lipstick, sorry about the focus! It's a lovely matte number from Rimmel. And the coral colour is a lot more subtler than I originally thought, meaning it's a lot more wearable than I originally thought! 

By the way Style 369 have got an amazing sale on atm, dresses for a tenner! Pretty sure it's been on for a while, but you should check it out for some last minute bargains.

Top - Littlewoods (ageees ago)

Jeans - ASOS Curve

Jacket - Very

Wedges - H&M

Lipstick - Rimmel 

Gem xo

Wants of the Week #12

Quite a smart list this week, maybe I'm getting in the mind frame of what I want to start working if this job comes through. Woops, I'm getting excited to start work again! Plus some more frivolous things, as per usual.

1. False Lash Effect Mascara - Max Factor £11.99

I keep picking this up in Boots then putting it down again. I do love the 'They're Real' mascara by Benefit, but really want to try this as well. The brush is really big and when you pull it out it isn't dry or gloopy. Can anyone recommend this?

2. Infinity Bracelet - Etsy £4

This isn't the exact one as I couldn't get the image from the website, but I love this cute bracelet. You can change the colour of the cord and there are loadsa symbols as well that you can get if the infinity bracelet isn't the same.

3. Make up Bags - Cath Kidston £12

I need a new make up bag for the essentials I keep in my handbag. These pretty ones will never look out of place in your handbag. I'm always a lover of the floral pattern too.

4. Black Wrap dress - Old Navy £21.50 ($35)

I've been lusting after black wrap dresses for a while now. They're so simple yet look really chic on. This one from Old Navy looks lovely, I especially like the little collar. Plus I could wear it at the new job with a cute pair of brogues and a blazer.

5. Brogues - Dorothy Perkins £12

I got these in the sale a couple weeks ago. So not strictly a want. Really chunky masculine brogue, and they're comfy too apart from initial rubbing around the heel. They look better with trousers so I'm on the look out for some cigarette pants now.

6. Blazer - Dorothy Perkins £49

Always on the lookout for a tux style blazer. This is a lovely change from black tux's. But the black detailing means it will still go with a lot of things. It would also look great over the wrap dress above!

7. Benetint - Benefit (from) £15

I've just run out of the posietint I had from benefit, and I want to go back to this, I think the red tone looks more natural than the pink and also like putting it on my lips too for a natural stain when I'm not wearing too much eyeliner.

Gem xo

Forms.

Happy Thursday! 

I've had a really positive week so far. Apart from throwing up on the train on Monday. But we're trying to forget that. For the next two weeks I'm doing some work experience for a production company in Manchester. Which I'm really looking forward to, always looks good on the old CV. Then, if all these forms I've filled in this morning are right, I've got a job in Manchester. It's not related to Media at all, but it's going to allow me a bit more freedom with money and life, so I'm really thankful for the opportunity.

Onto today's outfit. Following my successful package swap with Sophie. I wore this bright lipstick and chose my outfit around that. Which is quite a change for me. To rock up the lipstick a little bit I chose my leather skirt, and this studded tee I found in a charity shop for fifty pence! I wore the top over the skirt, but it looks nice tucked in too. But I wanted to keep the outfit quite casual. Teamed with my trusty biker boots again, I carried the theme through. Alas due to the hug amount of rain I wore thick wooly tights from M&S. These cashmere tights are so soft, but quite pricey, luckily my mum can get me so friends and family discount.

I'm really excited to wear this lipstick with florals when it gets a bit warmer. Due to the pinky tone. I love the studs on this basic white t-shirt as well. 

Anyway, off to fill out yet more forms I've just been sent! Bummerrrr!

T-Shirt - Primark via Charity Shop

Skirt - Primark

Tights - M&S

Boots - Dorothy Perkins

Necklace - Primark 

Lipstick -MUA

Gem xo

Island Girl Insight's Blog Love Package Swap

So I recently took part in Island Girl Insight's first Blog Love Package Swap. Which you can find over here. I really enjoyed it! My swap partner is Sophie. She has a lovely beauty blog over on: Magnifique Beauty. So go check her out, she's really lovely, and a pretty thing indeed! Her blog is pretty too. I just screenshotted it to give you a sneaky peak! But please do go check her out, her eyeliner is flawless!

 

Anyway, onto the first swap. Me and Sophie swapped some emails to see what each other would like. We were both a bit vague to begin with! Not helping each other at all, then ideas started to flow. Last week I sent the box I'd worked on, and prayed and prayed that she'd love the items as much as I'd loved putting it all together. (I had an email today confirming this, so woohoo!)

Sophie really worked on the box and really personalised it to me. We both had the idea of popping little letters in to explain each item. And little notes as well. You can see what Sophie gave me above. I love this box, the perfect little notebook, and perfect little coin purse. The bracelet from Toppers is amazing, I've already worn it today as a necklace, it's so versatile and it's properly me! She also added little recipe cards, which are perfect too! I'm looking forward to making some of these recipes and I can include them on the blog too which I'm excited about. The last item(s) which I'm totally in love with (people say you shouldn't pick favourites, but I can't control myself when it comes to red lipstick) Two lovely red lipsticks from MUA. They're really easy to apply and feel light on my lips too, which makes them perfect for day wear if I was going to go for bare eyes. 

Anyway I really enjoyed this! And I hope there are lots more to come. Thank you Sophie for my lovely items. They really brightened up my whole week! 

Gem xo

Wishful Thinking

April showers have taken on a whole new meaning this month. In Britain we're in a drought, so we do need the rain, but it has made dressing very difficult. Wearing countless layers, covering them up with a raincoat. Oh, woe is me. Blogger problems ey? 

I wore this yesterday when I visited London. In other news, I wonder if anyone could help me? I went to London yesterday for a meeting, as mentioned, and to have a little shop round. On my way there I felt fine and dandy. On my way back, I got the worst travel sickness ever (I know it's gross, I'm so sorry). I will always be thankful for a clean, non-pissy, toilet that stays still, and never take it for granted ever again. What I wanted to know, was if there was a way to stop travel sickness on trains? I've traveled before and felt fine, but I NEVER want to feel like that again. After a quick google, it seems Ginger is a good way to stop it, but I don't like Ginger, although I will try it if no one can suggest anything different!?

Anyway I chucked this midi dress on, I got a while back, hoping for sunny sky's, when I saw the pounding rain I chucked my black tights and trusty boots on underneath to warm and prepare my legs for the wetness that was outside. I've noted before my love of purple, and here is another purple dress. This midi dress is so easy to wear, lightweight for summer and looks lovely dressed down or up. The t-shirt style is a particular favourite of mine too. I added my usual studded belt too as it does need cinching at the waist to give me shape or I look like a sack of potatoes. Sexy potatoes, may I add? 

This was to wish me luck in my meeting, although it didn't wish me luck in the toilet department on that Virgin Pendolino tiliting train. The fickle luck of the irish! 

Dress - Dorothy Perkins (old)

Boots - Dorothy Perkins

Belt - Next

Shrug - M&S

Tights - M&S

Gem xo

Edit: I meant to add! I received my blog swap package today and I'm so pleased with it! I'll be posting my lovely presents up tomorrow from Sophie, and telling you about her blog.

Wants of the Week #'11

I don't think a girl can go wrong with t-shirts. They can be dressed up or down and they come in an array of materials and styles for everyone. I've chosen my best few from the hightstreet at the moment. 

1. Fringed Turquoise T-Shirt/Ponch - Katsumi @ Dorothy Perkins £20

I love the colour and style of this t-shirt. Described as a poncho I think this would look great with denim shorts in summer, for festivals mostly. The tassle adds the hippyish vibe that is always so popular with festival clothes.

2. Mint Lace T-Shirt - Dorothy Perkins £12

This tee will be great for dressing up with a leather skirt or shorts. It would also look great over some skinnies to dress it down. I love the pastel mint tone too, it would look great with other pastels.

3. Wild At Heart T-Shirt - New Look Inspire £12.99

I fell out of love with slogan tee's for a long while. But I've grown fond of them again. I'm always on the lookout for one. This is a great one, great for summer with the subtle aztec print in the lettering. The browns and oranges are lovely too.

4. I Rock, You Roll - New Look Inspire £14.99

Another great slogan tee from New Look. Again I'm thinking this is more suited to festivals with denim shorts but I like the idea of going full rock chick with leather pants and a denim jacket. 

5. Knitter T-Shirt - H&M £19.99

Everyone seems to be wearing cream lightweight knits this summer. I love this on from H&M the short sleeves and the pattern of the knit make it a wardrobe staple for any slouchy days, whilst you still look chic as always. May have to invest in this little piece, it's my favourite item on this wishlist.

6. Black T-Shirt - ASOS Curve £18

Everyone needs a classic black t-shirt. This woven front one is a chic spin on the classic. Wear with anything!

Anyway I'm off to nurse my finger, I trapped it in the car door this morning and cried all over ALDI because my nail turned black. In good news I have a few job interviews this week, which is amazing and daunting, and I'm just hoping for one of them! Wish me luck.

Gem xo