Pink Haired Princess

Last week I went on a mission. There's usually a stand-out dress every season in Primark and normally I struggle to find it in my local store. I'd spotted this tartan dress (below), clearly inspired by Saint Laurent, months ago and knew I had to have it. I was dubious if my local would ever get it though. Once I knew a rough idea of when it was due instore, I contacted my friend who kept an eye out for me at the Edinburgh store. She said they would get it before my local as it's a massive shop. Rather than wait all that time, then miss out on it, I decided it would be easier to go to Edinburgh myself. Now, I'm here to talk about clothes, but a 'quick trip' to Edinburgh isn't really an easy or cheap thing for me even although it isn't too far away. Despite being in the capital almost every weekend in my Uni days, I've only been a handful of times in the 11 years I've been ill (and several of them were for mandatory bridesmaid dress fittin...

I love when you get in touch with requests for beauty posts or further help regarding something I've already posted, especially when it's something I can easily locate and re-photograph. I got one such email recently from Romy, asking for advice regarding NYX Round Lipsticks . Seeing as my NYX lippie posts always prove quite popular, I thought I'd take some new photos and updated swatches and post them here for everyone to see. Romy was particularly interested in brown lipsticks (so that's what I've concentrated on today) and I have to say this is what NYX really excel at. There are plenty of options and I own many of them. In my opinion these are not 'nude' colours, at least not for someone as pale as me (I'd recommend 617 Summer Love, a pinky beige for pale skinned gals). I think pale, light, possibly even medium olive complexions will find these too dark to be a true nude. I've bought some in the past and been disappointed at them not bei...

Before you're all like "Gem, what happened, you got a temperature, you broken both legs?" These shoes are not mine ! No, I've not stepped down over to the...low side, but bought these for my little sister. Phew, had you in a panic there!  I actually love the ICED range and especially the new stuff we've seen this season. However I don't wear trainers or flats and can't walk in them, so they are of no use to me despite their prettiness. Now physically my sister and I have never looked alike (she has long dark hair and big blue eyes) but we do like similar things whilst contrasting on others (she'd never be seen dead in a floral dress for example or a dress of any kind for that matter). She's a tiny wee thing; 4ft 11", fits kids clothes, fits kids shoes, looks like an actual kid, seriously, someone asked her if she was on an in-service day from school the other month and she's 31!! Plus more than once, someone has mistaken me for her ...