Dermalogica: Boost Skin Health

When I went to the Selfridge's event, I got these little miracle bottles in my goodie bag and boy am I glad I did. They are amazing, to be quite frank anything I have tried from Dermalogica is awesome...shame it's so amazingly expensive!

How I use these is simple, I mix the hydrating booster with my foundation, use the skin renewal when my skin shows signs of stress and breakout..which is rare with me and I use the firming booster at night.

They are all great and you only need a few little drops of each, but the hydrating booster has been my life saver with these awfully cold winter winds we've been having, a great feed for my amazingly parched skin. They all very moisturising and make my skin feel so soft...I don't know what else to say, I feel like a fan girl!

10/10

Now just to save up some pennies so I can get this, have you tried these? I ordered some Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish the other day, so excited to get it.

Gem this is your life 40

I love that is starting to warm up a bit and the mornings are getting a little bit lighter everyday, makes going to work for half 7 a little more bearable. I can't wait for these autumn leaf pictures to turn to snowdrops and spring flowers. I got my first set of bulbs in the post yesterday, so excited to start planting the garden full of colour.

I'm a bit of a film camera geek as of late and have been buying camera's from Ebay, this is my twin reflex I posted about a few weeks back. It's flat pack and what I didn't realise was that all my instructions would be in Chinese...I'm having fun building it by pictures alone *please sense sarcasm*

Speaking of film photography, me and Emma went to a Lomography event this week (her sparkly boots on the epic floor.) Although if being honest the event was slightly disappointing, I wanted every single camera. I have seen some beautiful imagery captured on film and nothing is more exciting than waiting to get your negatives back.

Emma also treated me to Nando's which was lovely, because I think it was the first day of the week I could actually taste my food. Even if we did have to wait about half an hour and I did pinch the bigger piece of chicken like the complete hobo I am (sorry Em). I love my catch ups, she is one of the closest friend's I've made out of blogging and it makes me smile.

Me being arty farty.

Last night me and Dey went out with his family for a curry (which tasted of nothing) I always love catching up with them because I always leave laughing, such a heart warming set of people. I'm so happy to be marrying in to them.

Picked up a few bargains from H & M Friday, I can see loads of things I want in the shops atm, but it's just to cold to wear them! Also with a holiday, two birthday's and bills in Feb it's probably good they stay on the rail!

A different kind of getaway...

First of all, my short hiatus has been down to such a horrible virus, which has now finally turned in to a cough and cold...about time. Hello new followers, thanks for sticking by me.

Ever since reading Zoe's post way back in June, I have wanted to take a trip to Cornwall and stay in one of those magical little pod's. So this year for our annual mini break; last year Wiltshire, Edinburgh & Scottish Highlands, we have decided to do just that!

Camping has become more popular recently, what with the invention of the 'glamp' lots of people want to be outside, but not in a tent getting battered by the wind, sleeping on damp grass, this aint' no festival! What with holidays abroad being so expensive and us saving for Dey's brothers nuptials in Mexico next year, we are trying to save our money and with these pods being £35 a night...

Planning on day trips to The Eden Project, Bude and to find secret beaches. I'm really looking forward to it, bbq's on a cliff edge? Yes please, sunsets, wellies and waking up to the sound of the sea, certainly. I just think there is so much England has to offer us and I wan't to explore as much of it as I can.

Will any of you be eating fish and chips by the sea this year, or are you planning an exotic getaway?

Gem this is your life 39

Today I am sharing with you some of my favourite images I have taken so far. I'm doing quite well with my bookings so far for 2012. Let's hope the rest of the year follows suit. Happy Sunday, I'm off to watch Stupid. Crazy, Love.

P.s I will be updating my photography blog more frequently now, with shoot out-takes and diary entries etc, if you want to pop over and subscribe. Would make my day.

Inspiration: Food Edition

I've written this post because I feel terribly run down, and have no energy to do my usual Saturday outfit post, that I seem to have become accustomed to now. Also if you have been following my blog or twitter for a while now, you will no doubt have noticed that I am a HUGE foodie.

Two of my main 'goals' for this year are: To teach myself to be a greater cook & to then teach myself to photograph what I cook beautifully. Food photography and cooking are two of my favourite things to do...mainly because they both involve food haha.

I think I genuinely have a healthy diet...we won't count the one, two huge pieces of red velvet cake I had yesterday, because well...it was Friday? So they are void, plus I baked it myself so I have to see where I am going right...right?

The main things I love to eat are dim sum, sushi, asparagus, pasta, fish, chicken, grilled cheese anything and epic sandwich's. I rarely have a sweet tooth...unless you count pumpkin pretzels, which I get a bag of every time Dey's brother goes to America, seriously they should import them just for me. In total I have 15 cook books, live on Punchfork, pin LOTS of food, watch Masterchef, Come Dine With Me, Great British Menu, Man V Food and Nigella constantly and generally eat always. The biggest pro of having my Dey, is that he is basically exactly the same and lives for food just as much as me. Adam Richman inspired our honeymoon....route66 (just to visit the diners!)

Basically: I love food.

My favourite food blogs: Closet cooking, Gizzi's Blog, Joy The Baker & Steamy Kitchen.

Hope I've made you hungry, enjoy the food porn. All original sources are here, I'm off to eat.

Enrapture: Heated Rollers

I don't know if you have noticed a few girls posts on the Enrapture totem styler? They are raving about it, but I was defiant that I wanted the rollers when the lovely company offered to send me a styling product for review. I do love a wand etc, but I wanted something that I could put in and then do my make-up whilst they were working. These guys take about 8 minutes to work...which is pretty fast when you think about it, although amazingly hot when they touch your neck sometimes, they are generally without fault.

Offering two sizes, one for a large loser curl and another for a tighter curl they are great when you want either a laid back style or a more polished evening style. I tend to use the bigger roll now I have got used to them, as I always like my hair to look a tad un-done.

The downsides: They are HOT (watch your fingers) The clip that holds your roller in, can sometimes leave a dent in your hair if you are a tad forgetful and went off to make another cup of tea *cough*, they are slightly heavy once the clip is applied.

The Positives: They are HOT, which makes them super quick...great for when you are in a rush and needing to get ready after work. They come in a great snazzy little tub, which makes everything neat and easy to put away. They really do work the way Enrapture says in the booklet.

There are 20 rollers in total, ten of each size. I have extremely long hair and that was enough for me, although I wish they were a tad wider because I found wrapping all my hair around that one roller a tad tricky. All in all I think they are a great product and I am very grateful that they are in my cupboard.

You can pick some up at Boots, Argos, Debenhams, Currys, Very, John Lewis...or Next?

7/10 <3

Gem this is your life 38

Breakfast- This is actually the first time I have eaten this since 1996, because I was eating it when the phone rang telling us my Great Nan had died. I've never wanted to eat it since, but Mum bought me such an adorable egg cup for Christmas, I couldn't not use it.

Make-up - I am really loving a pallet by Soap and Glory that I got, called 'Lid Stuff' I think it is their smoky eye one, but the colours are just lovely, so I have been using it all week. I didn't even know S & G did make-up, so I will be looking for other things now.

Purse - I met up with Em in the week for window shopping, gossip and tea at Handmade Burger. I can never just go window shopping and had some money left on my gift card, so picked up this little purse from Topshop...I love it.

Designer - Dey's brother and fiancé got me me this for Christmas. She has moved back to America and he will be following soon, so he spent Christmas state side and brought our gifts back with him. I've always wanted something from Coach, so I was so excited. Perfect spring clutch... I won't tell you the price :O

Dey - With me and a photograph we take of him in the same place every year..well we've done it for two years now, I wonder how long we will keep it up. I'm looking forward to seeing atleast ten of them together, you never know he might have another person with him one of the years.

Cold - A shot to prove to you just how cold it's been here in Birmingham...Brrrr.

Foooood - This is the pasta bake I made last night, chicken, tomato and bacon with a chilli crust, me and Dey ate all of that to ourselves...oh dear. In my defence I did use wholegrain pasta and low fat cheese.

Laughs - Speaking of Emma, this is what I have to put up with...along with drunk singing voicemails to the tune of Frosty the Snowman. I do love her!

Back to black

Considering my last outfit post had no images of my face, sorry if this is 'Gem' overload haha. Sometimes I love wearing black, but I have to have different textures or I feel like I am going to work (my uniform is all black). I managed to get these shorts for £8 in the New Look sale a few months a go, I loved them and can't wait to wear them with flip flops and a sun tan. They are quite short..Dey even thought they were pants this morning, boys eh!

Scalloped top is from Asda, scarf is Dey's (I'm such a thief), bag is from New Look, Jacket from Toshop and my very trusty boots which are now virtually ruined are from Matalan. At the mo me and Dey are watching 'The Fastest Indian' such a great film so far, but sad.

What are you all up to this weekend?

Little Nell

I love jewellery, I love supporting blogger shops and I love Penny. So obviously after browsing her beautiful, dainty jewellery shop, I had to buy something. My favourite item from Little Nell is this Rainy Day pendant, I'm hoping soon Pen does those droplets in turquoise, so I can have a storm cloud and a spring shower cloud.

This time I chose her Aztec triangle pendant, because it reminds me of Harry Potter and it's pretty :) she gave me the earrings as a late engagement present, because she's super like that. Her packaging is awesome, delivery is recorded and the stuff is so well made. Be sure to check out her shop, she also has a lovely blog that tips me over the edge with hair envy always. Why so shiny Pen!!!

I hereby pledge: Update

Over a year ago in Novemer, I wrote this post...never did I imagine it would get the response it did and never did I think that my campaign would resonate with so many people. I am sincerely humbled by your support, but mainly that of my badge designer Michelle. She has constantly supported me throughout this process and the main reason I am writing this post today.

I will be honest and say that yes, people still really hurt and annoy me when I get nasty comments left...which in my case is extremely rare and I will sometimes bite. That is my personality and sometimes I just HAVE to react, but I always delete and never publish any hate, spread any hate and all of my personal opinions about things and people would be expressed to said subject.

I have decided to make the wonderful Michelle an Ambassador of my campaign, as it is her artwork you see all over the blogosphere and she is the ultimate blogger to represent the sort of campaign I am trying to express. Just like last year, we have an update of the button & in a few different colour options to suit your blogs. Mish has even added an element close to both our hearts...a lightning bolt (Harry Potter).

If you have been kind enough to add the button for the pledge to your blog, please pick a colour option and have the update. If you have taken the pledge and for some reason I haven't added you to the page, please leave your blog address in the comments and I will put you on. Sometimes I forget or lose tweets etc, so sorry about that.

I LOVE THEM!!!!

Thank you all sincerely from the bottom of my heart & let's carry on spreading the fact that we will not allow hate to be spread in the blogosphere.