My Mother's Day: A lifestyle post

Hello ♥

Yesterday was Mother's day as you all will know. I had a really lovely day, which was all planned at short notice but very successful in my opinion. I was treated to some beautiful daffodils from my sons (above) and my hubby brought me the nicest Thornton's chocolates. How cute is the box! 

Being the most forgetful couple ever, we completely forgot to send off our mother's day cards to my mother in law. We felt awful so decided at last minute to travel to the Isle of Wight to surprise her.

We took the very early morning ferry from Southampton with tired eyes and dreams of being back in our warm beds but it was going to be a fabulous day so that got us through. On our arrival, we hid from the house ready to shout surprise only to find our mum had gone to church. We were slightly too early. All was OK though, my husband's sister was home to greet us and help us prepare her gifts on the dining room table. When she did get home, her face was a picture. She was so happy to see us and to the give the boys lots of cuddles. I wish i took more pictures from this time to show you guys but it completely slipped my mind. After lots of chats, cakes, and a cuppa we decided to visit the local Owl and Monkey sanctuary as the boys have been bugging us to go for a while now. As always, it always turns into children's day rather than Mother's day. However, i am a huge monkey lover so was secretly excited about going there. 

The Owl and Monkey haven were offering free entry for Mums on Mother's day which was a lovely bonus. Especially when there were six of us all together and visiting these places isn't cheap. The sanctuary was lovely though, smaller than i expected but we had a nice time. Below our a few of my snaps from the day so you can kind of get the idea of what we saw and got up to. 

Sporting my new boots from Boo hoo. 

We only stayed at the Monkey haven for an hour as it was so cold. I can't believe this wintry weather we have having at the moment. I guess the whole of Britain is wishing for summer to hurry up right now. We decided for our afternoon entertainment to pop to Morrison's for cakes, sandwiches and scones to create a nice high tea followed by a film. Again, i forgot to take photos of this, so sorry about that.

Overall,  my mother in law and I had a lovely Mother's day. So many memories were made and cakes consumed. How did you spend your Mother's days?

Gem xx

P.s I am currently holding a giveaway. Please check it out. x

March 2013 Glossybox review

Hello ☆

This morning i received my Glossybox and this months is a good one. I skipped reviewing the February box due to problems with the courier, resulting in the box not being delivered till the end of February. I felt this was too late to review, knowing that you all probably have seen what is in that box. To be honest, the contents weren't that exciting to write about. 

The title of this months box is 'Get Chic with Glossybox'. The products included are based on getting that glossy, city chic look from the office to the club. The usual product leaflet is accompanied by a little paper travelling book which features tips of where to visit in many cities and also some cute stickers which i am planning to place on my travel memory box. Quite a handy little bonus in my opinion. 

In my box i received five products, all of which i know i will definitely use! I am so glad i didn't cancel my subscription after last months disaster.

• Tresemme Extra Hold Hairspray. For me, receiving this travel size can of hairspray couldn't come at a better time. I literally ran out of mine yesterday. Also, i am really happy with the size of this product, it is a perfect size for my handbag. Tresemme is a great brand and i have never had any dramas with their products. I am very happy with this one. 

• Nails Inc in Bruton Street - A classic dusty pink shade is which is a perfect sophisticated colour. Full size polishes cost £11 and so i rarely buy these but the are very good quality polishes. Will be sporting this shade for mother's day i think. 

• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream - I have read quite a few fabulous reviews about this product and have been meaning to try it for a while now. This medicated 8 hour cream can be used on lips and body, which will come in handy while the weather is still freezing cold. The ml size is pretty generous as far as samples go and I think it is the perfect handbag size.

• Jelly Pong Lip Blush - The only full sized product in the box which is worth more than the entire box including p&p at £12. This is an amazing chunky crayon lip stain which is fairly similar to the ones from Revlon and Clinique. I feel the colour is a little too bright for me but will still try it out. 

• Juicy Couture, Couture La La.  I always love to receive new perfume samples to test out. I find i tend to stick to the same ones though. Personally i am not a fan of Juicy Couture but this perfume is quite nice. The scent is a perfect light floral but slightly fruity scent and will be great for the summer months.  

Overall, a great box this month. If you would like to subscribe to glossy or buy this month's box, Here is the link: Glossybox.co.uk

Gem x

P.s I am currently holding a small giveaway where you could win a £20 Amazon gift card. Check it out here: My 100 followers give-away. 

A little bit of beauty on a Friday: Topshop Highlighter review

Hello ☆

Happy Friday! I find it is definitely the best day of the week as you cant beat that feeling of knowing that the weekend is here. During the week i rushed into the city to pick up some art supplies for my two boys. However, being a shopaholic, i couldn't resist popping into Topshop for a quick peek at their new spring/ summer range. So many lovely outfits to swoon over! I need to win the lottery as soon as possible. Anyway, i didn't buy any clothes but instead picked up a couple of their makeup products. I brought a couple of their pastel nail polishes for £5 each, which i will review later on but today i want to talk about their highlighter which i picked up for £10.  This product has been on the top of my wish list since before Christmas but i never got around to buying it for whatever reason. Knowing me it was probably the £10 price tag (yes, I'm tight). 

The Topshop highlighter comes in a black sturdy box with cute kitsch stars, just like all their beauty products, which i totally love! The product itself is encased in a white, round compact which features a tight clasp which prevents any nasty spillage in your handbag. The only negative thing i can say is that the compact doesn't come with a mirror which can be a little inconvenient. 

The highlighter comes in shades Crescent Moon and Sunbeam. The only one they had in stock at the time was sunbeam, so i settled with that. I wasn't upset by this, i actually love the shade but i think it will be better for summer when i have a little more tan on my face. Sunbeam is a beautiful gold highlighter with yellow undertones. It contains a small amount of glitter which leaves a glowy shimmer on your face. The product comes in the form of a powder product, but it does not feel powdery or chalky at all. It feels quite smooth and soft, and applies smoothly and easily on the skin. Only a little powder is needed for that glowy look so I foresee this product lasting me a very long time which justifies me paying the £10 for it. Also I found it to be easily applied with both a brush as well as with fingers, making it easy if I want to touch up during the day and do not have a brush on hand to do the job. 

Over all, I absolutely love this product and the golden shimmer it leaves on my face. I wore it to a little gathering the other day and so many people complimented me on how healthy it made me look. I definitely recommend giving this one a try. Have you tried this product or do you use any other highlighters that you think i should try?

Hope you have a great weekend.
Gem xx

Amazon Wish List Thursdays: Part Six

Hello ☆

 

(image: we heart it) 

This has to be one of my favourite wish lists i have made so far. The top layer is very monochrome and the bottom layer contains some very bold/ colourful products. Mainly fashion this time but still added two handy books that i really would like to purchase. ♥

1.'No Photos Please' Sweat shirt  £10.95 / 2. Monocrome Bodycon Dress £16.00 / 3. Cream And Black Marcella Skater Dress £26.99 / 4. Disaster Designs - Bon Voyage - Travel Wallet £26.80 / 5. Glitteratti Women's Bethania Platforms Heels £16.00 / 6. F*ck! I'm in My Twenties £5.24 / 7.Yellow clutch handbag £16.50 /

1. Although slightly cheesy, i really like this jumper. Its a perfect, ironic piece for fashion bloggers who spend most of their days taking pictures of themselves. The jumper comes in black, cream, light grey and peach but i think my favourite is the light grey shade. Also the price is very pleasing at £10.95. 

2. I seem to be going through a monochrome phrase at the moment and have been on the hut for the perfect evening/ party dress. I fell in love with this number as soon as i spotted it on a fellow blogger. The black pattern gives a slimming, flattering look to the wearer and is a bargain at £16.00. 

3. My collection of skater dress is really starting to take over my wardrobe and i really should start buying some different styles. However i cant resist buying them and I'm really considering purchasing this Aztec number. I love the cut out neckline and feel in will be a great addition to my summer wardrobe. 

4. I love this little travel wallet. It is something that will come in handy for me on our summer holidays. The wallet features the lovely shabby chic floral Bon Voyage design, including cute images of maps, postcards, stamps and other travel motifs, it even has a mini paper plane sealed in plastic on the front! The front also features a handy checklist great for double checking on departure, and inside there are ample pockets and slots for storing reservations, documents, tickets, currency and of course the all-important passport! On top of all that there is a cute little zipped pouch for storing "Loose change and little things" as well as a pocket for a pen! It is slightly pricey at £26.80 but with my organisation skills, i feel it will be worth the price in the end. 

5. I don't know if i would actually wear these 'ruby red slippers' due to the heel but i have still fallen in love with them. I have been a massive Wizard of oz / Wicked fan since i can remember and have always wanted a pair even if i would just place them on a self on display. They are currently reduced from £40 to £16 which is a bargain! 

6. F*ck! I'm in my twenties is a book written by Emma Koeing. I have heard some amazing recommendations from my friends. Most saying it is one of the funniest books they have read.  The book description is as follows: 'Everyone has that moment, the realisation that adulthood has arrived, like a runaway train, and there's no getting out of its way. From the hit tumbler blog of the same name, F*ck! I'm in my Twenties perfectly captures the new generation currently testing the waters of adulthood. Quick-witted and self-deprecating, the author pens irreverent missives, DIY diagrams, illustrations and tongue-in-cheek checklists that chronicle her experience as a twenty-something living in the big city. Including the best of her beloved blog, plus over 50% new material, this is a perfect impulse buy for anyone who has a love-hate relationship with their twenties'. Definitely very curious to read this. 

7. At the moment i do not own a clutch bag. My hand bag collection mainly consists of Satchels, over sized bags, and rucksacks. I think it is about time i added a clutch to my collection. I really want a yellow neon one just because i love how it adds colour and a bold statement to an outfit. This one is perfect at £16.50. 

Hope you enjoyed this weeks wish list. Which ones are your favourite products? 

Gem xx 

Double denim and hearts: an out fit post

Shirt: Primark

Jeans: Primark 

Boots: Primark 

Collar pin: Ever Ours 

Hello ♥

How lovely is this denim shirt?! It was the first thing i noticed in Primark on a recent shopping trip. I felt it kind of matched the recent LFW Burberry show with the love heart print. I just love it. Primark are really upping their game with the new spring/ summer collection. I teamed the shirt with my dark blue jeggings but I was a little apprehensive about wearing double denim. However, i think the overall outfit looks OK. The collar necklace came from Ever Ours, a new Internet store i am absolutely loving at the moment. It was a bargain at £2 and i have been wearing it with everything! 

Hope you are all having a lovely Thursday?! 

Gem x

Outfit of the day: Aztec velvet

Dress: Topshop

Blazer: Primark 

Necklace and Bracelet: River Island 

 Ballet pumps: New Look  

Hello ★,
Wow, last weekend went fast and I can't believe it's Monday already! I hope you all had a lovely weekend whether that has been relaxing, shopping or enjoying London Fashion Week where i wish i was right now! Maybe next year. Unfortunately we could not get out and enjoy the sunshine due to my youngest being very poorly with a bug, so our weekend was spent on the sofa watching Disney DVDs which was actually very enjoyable.  Today I ventured outside as it was so beautiful and sunny to take some photos. A little too sunny, hence the squint in my eyes but still my husband is improving in his photography. Recently, I have won a bid on Ebay for a posh new camera for him to use, so that will hopefully improve the quality of the photos i post on here. 
My outfit:  The burgundy blazer i am wearing is from Primark. I brought it just recently so will still be in store if you would like one for yourself. I can't remember the price but I think it is around £15 to £18. My favourite feature of this blazer is the ability to roll the sleeves up or down, depending on your preferences. I have found most blazers to have the sleeves sewn in at elbow length which i find really frustrating.  The beautiful Velvet Aztec print dress was an amazing find in the Topshop sale. It has to be my favourite dress in my wardrobe at the moment.  The length is perfect enough not to worry about my cheeks showing and it also features 3/4 length sleeves which is great for when i have arm confidence issues, if you know what i mean? 
Hope Today hasn't been to painful for you. Monday is always a struggle to get through. Thank you very much for visiting me. 
Gem x

P.s Have you seen my giveaway to win a £20 Amazon gift card? Its just my little way of saying thank you to all my followers. 

100 followers Giveaway!

Hello ♥

I finally hit 100 followers a few weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. Thank you all so much!! I wasn't going to do a giveaway until i hit 200 followers but i just couldn't resist doing one now. All day i have been searching for an amazing prize to giveaway but just couldn't decide. So, I'm going to give you a chance to win a £20 Amazon gift card so you can treat yourself to what ever you like. I will either email or send the voucher through the post, depending on the winners preference and yes, i will open the give-away to international followers! Entries through rafflecopter below and please be honest. Any false entries will be deleted. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My shop of the week.

1. Knit sleeve Khaki jacket £55 / 2. Mint green lace dress £59 / 3. Mini cross ring £4 / 4. Mini bow drop earrings £5 / 5. High waisted embroidered shorts £32 / 6.  Baby bow jumper £39 / 7. Lilac watch £16.50 / 8.  Nude bow wedge £45 / 9. Tapestry print skater skirt £35 / All Miss Selfridge. 

My Amazon wish list part four : Valentines edition.

Happy Valentines Day! 

I hope you all have a lovely day today whether you are coupled up or single and heading out with the girls. My husband and i don't really celebrate valentine's day. We love to keep things simple, no presents just popcorn and a movie. Its about your love for each other, not the amount of money you spend. That's just our opinion anyway. 

Today's Amazon wish list has a love theme... 

1.  2 Half Heart Pendant  / 2. Red Block Skater Dress £9.99 / 3. Playful Promises Push Up Bra £30 / 4. Pink Rose Patterned Make Up Case £17.99 / 5. Millie Mackintosh for Nouveau Lashes Soho £8.99 6. Jewellery box "Love" red. £42 7. Benefit No Competition Lipstick 3g £14.00 8. Cath Kidston Provence Crush Mug, Fine China, Blue £5.00 / All from Amazon.

Hope you all have a lovely day today.

Gem x