Liebster Award

So I was struggling with today's post really. I have a cookery post but I didn't really fancy doing that, but when the lovely Gail over at Gaily Gumdrops tagged me in the Liebster blog award, I thought I would do this. Share a bit more information about myself (maybe not very interesting I must add but never mind!) Go check Gail out at her blog, which I've linked above, her blog is so well written and she always writes such interesting posts. From her post I found out we shared a secret love of One Direction. Although if you ask me outright, I will vehemently deny it! Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading these posts because I always do. I'm terribly nosey, so finding new bits of information out about people is always fun! On with the show, as they say.

These are the rules...

1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
3. Ask 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.
4. Choose 9 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.
5. Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

 11 random facts about me.

I studied Media and television studies at University, and I worked in the industry for a little bit for BBC Radio and Channel 4 but I didn't follow it as I don't think I'm good enough to work in the industry.

I currently work in a bank. The main reason I continue to work there is because I've met some of the funniest, weirdest, loveliest people ever there. 

I love books that make you cry. My favourite book is called 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven' by Mitch Alborn.

I don't wear any foundation. I hate the feel of it on my skin and I've never used a foundation that hasn't made me break out. I stick to concealer and a tiny bit of tinted moisturiser.

It took my 3 years to learn to drive, and I'm still not sure why the gentleman passed me. Pretty sure my instructor tipped him.

I am such a massive fan of Beyonce. She's my celebrity lady crush! So much so, that it's a tad creepy. (I'll leave this one there).

I broke my arm when I was in Primary school, during Sports day. They made us run in the pouring rain and I slipped. I had to have pins in my arm and I have two scars on my wrist.

I'm currently saving up money to go travelling. I'd like to go around Europe, and then to India, some places in Africa and South America too if I have the funds. If anyone would like to sponsor an around the world trip for me, I reckon that'd be fine... Anybody?

My favourite TV programme is Miranda, not sure why (maybe it's my extreme awkwardness) but I relate to it a lot! I love Miranda Hart too, she is a real inspiration to me.

My drink of choice is Rose wine and lemonade.

When I get bitten my horsefly's I swell up like a balloon and have to go to the hospital to have it drained. It's become a bit of a curse for music festivals and holidays, and my friends have started calling it the leg lurgy.

Now onto the questions...

1. Which TV/film character do you think you're most like and why?

I kind of answered this above, but definitely Miranda. Awkward, unlucky in love and a penchant for making up silly games to pass the time. Yup.

2.  Who is better? Take That with Robbie, or Take That without Robbie?

Take That without Robbie. I hate him and always have. Although I doubt my opinion matters to him, but I really wish he'd just stop making music (ooh harsh words).

3. What is your favourite food and why?

Chocolate. I didn't even need to think about this really. It's just the best. Need I say anymore?

4. If you had the chance to change your name to something else, which name would you choose?

My Grandma's name is May and I really like that name. I think its really pretty. I  love any old style names like that. So I'd probably change it to that. Or if that wasn't allowed, Consuela Bumcheek.

5. Sweet or savoury popcorn?

Can I say half & half. There is this healthy popcorn at work and its sweet and salty. So I'm greedy and having both. No, you can't stop me.

6. What is your favourite flower and why?

Roses. Preferably peach. But beggars can't be choosers. I just think they're simple and classic.

7. What is your favourite season of the year?

Winter. I love the cold, the clothes and snuggling up with special people (Or on your own!)

8.What was your favourite TV programme when you were a child?

Probably Arthur. It's still shown on BBC now and sometimes I may leave it on if I catch it at the right time.

9. Who is your most unlikely celeb crush? 

I think this means who I fancy but shouldn't. And if that's true it's Gordon Ramsay. He's a bad bad man. Bad man.

10. Strictly Come Dancing or X Factor?

Ohhh, none really! But if I have to choose I'd say Strictly. Although I have appeared on the X Factor (as a caller not a singer) I think Simon Cowell is a douchey doucher.

11. What are the 3 best things about your best friend?

Okay I'll choose my friend Lauren Faulkner for this. And the three best things about her are:

1. She has the best sense of humour ever and makes me belly laugh so much.

2. She makes friends so so easily and everyone always falls for her.

3. She's a proper beauty, inside and out!

Rightio well I've enjoyed this very much. If you would like to have a go consider yourself tagged and tell me if you've done it so I can have a good old nosey! 

What's your favourite piece of clothing?

What's your ideal first date?

Have you ever broken a bone and what if yes?

Have you ever been in love?

Why did you start blogging?

What can you cook or bake to perfection?

Who is your idol and why?

What is your favourite Spring '13 trend?

What is the one piece of make-up you cannot live without?

When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

Whats your favourite blog post you have ever written?

There we go. Thanks again to Gail for tagging me and enjoy the rest of your week lovelies!

Gem xo

Same as it's Always Been

So I jumped on another outfit bandwagon. I'm loving the skater skirt and shirt outfits that are all over the show at the moment. I think they look very smart and put together but they're easy to throw on. As I'm on my shopping ban I can't buy any new shirts or skirts so I've put this outfit together of old items in my wardrobe. I've not been able to stop wearing this black sheer shirt from New Look. It even featured in my last outfit post, It's a staple in anyones wardrobe, really, and works tucked into skirts or undone with skinnies for a more casual look.  With the weather not being able to make up it's mind at the moment (seriously, thick snow, then glorious sunshine for two days!?) I've been carting around jumpers in my bag to throw over this ensemble to warm it up a bit.  Anyway, I'm feeling a bit happier about 2013 at the moment, I have a few trips planned, including seeing friends, and I'm looking at new jobs which will hopefully make me a lot happier in the future. I don't mind the job I have now, mainly the people, but it's not what I want to do in the long run! Happy Monday girls!

Shirt - New Look

Skirt - Primark

Tights - Tesco

Necklace - Primark

Boots - ASOS

Gem xo

Shopping Ban - Week 1

Day 10 of the shopping ban, I'm a fifth of the way in and surprisingly I haven't been wanting to buy that much really. I did a massive clear out of my room this week. I mainly focused on clearing out my wardrobe, and I found lots of old gems that I can restyle, including maxi skirts which can be turned into on trend pencil skirts and t-shirts which are always good wardrobe basics. Finding old, unworn clothes is just as good as buying new ones right!? I think I'll find it a bit harder as the seasons change and I'll want to buy and wear summer items. But for now I'm all good and I feel confident in my non-spending abilities. These items above are the only things that I've been seriously tempted by so far...

1. Dr Martens Boots (as featured in last weeks post)
After writing that post I ebayed some cheap black pairs but luckily I couldn't really find any. I really wanted some black ones to wear with dresses and tights in the snow. With them being black, they would just go with everything. Luckily, the snow has all melted so I don't have the urge to buy them now.

2. Essie Nail Polish
I've used up all my Nails Inc Basil Street and need a new nude nail varnish. I've been making do with reds and blacks whilst we're still in winter but again, as the seasons change I'll gravitate toward lighter, pastel shades. I'm not a massive fan of Essie nail varnish, as you can always get the same colour from an alternative, cheaper brand. But I really like this shade and can't really see it anywhere else.

3. ASOS Curve Dress
I have plenty of dresses, especially in the skater style, but I think this dress is lovely. I like how it's slightly loose as well and falls like a babydoll dress. The colours are pretty too and it will carry through to spring. I hope when this shopping ban is over it will have gone into the sale. So if any representatives from ASOS are reading, all I'm saying is, 40 days. Just throwing that out there. 

That's all for now anyway! I've had a productive day on the blog front so some new posts will be coming soon, including some outfit posts! 

Gem xo

Best Skin Beauty Products

1.  2.  3.  4.

I do not really know anything about beauty regimes. But I've been watching a lot of Youtube beauty vloggers over the past few months and I've been looking for things that will brighten and moisturise my skin. I have very dry skin with the occasional hormonal blemish. So I look for products that won't make my skin produce any excess oil, but will still keep my skin hydrated. These items have managed to keep my skin balanced over winter and I've been really impressed. This is what has worked for me, I'd recommend to read up on your skin type and read lots of reviews to see how people react to products. Youtube and Beauty blogs are a great place to start.

1. No.7 Beautiful Skin - Dry Skin Rescue.

This thick balm is so hydrating and sinks really easily into my skin. It's cleared dry patches up on my skin literally over night and is so easy to use. It has no scent and it just feels good on my skin. I'm really happy I picked this up a couple weeks ago and I've been using it every couple of days when I feel my skin getting a bit tight. I'm very impressed with this product.

2. La Roche-Posay - Effaclar Duo

This does state that it is for severe imperfections, which *touch wood* I don't tend to get. But this has improved my skin so much. I have quite large pores over my nose and slight discolouration and scarring. This has cleared all that up really well, and hasn't dried my skin out either. It's a great primer as well, making it multi-use. I want to try more of their stuff now but as I'm on the ban, this will have to do for now.

3. Nivea Daily Essentials - Rejuvenating Night Cream

This is my go to cheap night cream. I love the smell and it sinks in really well. It doesn't make me break out and lasts all night. When I wake up in the morning I can still feel the lovely creamy smooth texture sitting on my skin a little bit. It's not the best but for the price you can't go wrong.

4. Skin Repair Moisturiser - Liz Earle

My mum got me this for Christmas and I'm using it sparingly every day but I really love it. I love the smell, it doesn't feel greasy and is so creamy. It's a bit pricey for a moisturiser but before this I didn't have a moisturiser I loved and would be my all time go to. Now I do. It fits in really well with the cleanse and tone system I use with them and is so gentle on my skin.

Like I said, I'd recommend to anyone to read up on ingredients and how products affect peoples skin. But I would recommend these products to everyone as they're very gentle on the skin. What are your favourite skin products? Can you recommend any for me to try?

Gem xo

Snow Day

So I thought I'd join in with the rest of the blogger world and take some snowy pictures. I love the snow and how pretty it makes everything look. I've been taking long snowy walks with the dog and playing out in it. I've reverted back to being a child! But I dislike how the whole of Britain feels the need to come to a stop. I think we've coped pretty well though during the flurry of snow we've had recently, and hopefully everyone stays safe and keeps warm while we have the remaining cold snap. As I said on Sunday I've been wanting to keep warm and comfortable during the weather. I've not really been venturing out much, only to catch Les Mis (must see!) with my Mum and going for a wintery pub dinner in front of a fire with some friends over the weekend. So my outfits have been pretty simple really. Jumpers and jeans and tights and casual dresses. In this outfit I wore black skinnies, and a black shirt. But the best item I was wearing was my faux fur stole. This stole has attracted so many compliments and I've loved throwing it over all my coats, particularly as fur collars seem to have been a big trend for A/W 12. It also matches my tan Dr Martens and goes really well with gold jewellery. Such as my lovely watch! I'd love to see what you've been wearing in the snow, just leave a comment. Hope everyone is keeping safe!

Jeans - Dorothy Perkins

Shirt - New Look

Leather Jacket - Very.co.uk (old)

Boots - Dr Martens

Stole - Dorothy Perkins

Necklace - Primark

Watch - Michael Kors

Gem xo

What to Wear in the Snow...

Jeans | Jumper | Fur Collar | Boots | Coat 

With all this snow I've really been struggling to get dressed as I know in a few hours I'll be a) cold and miserable or b) I'll have a wet bum from falling over in silly shoes with no grip. This is why I've dug out my docs. And I've been really enjoying wearing them. I have some tan ones and they do go with a lot of you can't go wrong with a pair of black originals. i've been wearing mine with black skinnies and thick wooly jumpers and fur collars. I think it's hard to keep hold of your style when the extreme weather kicks in but I've been feeling comfortable and casual in my outfits recently. I love this damask print woolly with the navy fur collar. I have been wearing my biker jacket but I think this black biker coat is a lot more versatile and probably a lot warmer. I hope you're all keeping warm in the snow! I still haven't bought anything in my shopping ban, a whole weekend without purchasing something, go me!

Gem xo

Show the World How You Try

Day 2 of 50 day shopping ban and it's really snowy! I can wear all my jumpers this is great! I never pass up an opportunity to get out the knits and layer up. I love this cheap one from ASDA. The pale knits that all the shops in at the moment can be carried over to Spring, when it finally comes around, as the colours are really pretty. As stated yesterday I've put myself onto a 50 day shopping ban but, I just want to buy all the pale knits though that all the shops have in. Some shops that seem to have the lovely fluorescent pale knits are M&S, George at ASDA and Dorothy Perkins. They're really easy to throw on with jeans or tucked into skater skirts. I love the studs too and it means it goes with a lot of silver jewellery I have. I put mine on with boots and jeans for a more casual look. It looks great with a biker jacket thrown over the top too. Plus I didn't want to get my legs out in the snow and have tights stuck to my legs all day. I'm going to try and get some outfit pictures in the show as I think it'll be a bit more prettier to look at than my wall and bunting! I hope everyone is keeping warm and cosy in the snow.

Jumper - ASDA

Jeans - Dorothy Perkins 

Boots - ASOS

Rings - M&S and Pia 

Necklace - Primark

Gem xo