BLOGMAS Day 14: It's All About The Tartan...

I was inspired to write this post because I've been thinking about what I want to wear on Christmas Day and tartan dresses have been catching my eye recently. I tried one on in Primark a month or so ago and the size 10 was too small and the size 12 was too big, so I had no luck there! I have been having a little look online and have come across a lot of tartan items (not just dresses) that I've been loving. Although I'm probably going to have a look around the shops near me before I decide whether to get anything online (just so I can try things on first), I thought I'd share with you some of the tartan items I've come across that I really like...

I love the colour of these Tartan Check Peg Leg Trousers. I think they look so stylish and especially nice with heels! I've been wanting to get some patterned trousers for a while now, but haven't found the right pair that I think are really 'me'. I like how these go in at the bottom and I'd probably team them with a plain jumper, like the model or a plain shirt/t-shirt tucked in.

I absolutely love this Oversized Blanket Scarf. I prefer the big, oversized scarves and have quite a few chiffon ones. I can't resist a cool print! I also love the colour, I think the blue and purple go really well together. It looks so cosy!

I love how casual this 3/4 Sleeve Tie Waist Check Shirt Dress is. I think it'd look lovely with black tights and boots. I've had a few shirt dresses in the past, so this is something that I'd probably try on if I saw it in a shop :).

This Plaid Faux Leather Sleeve Retro Shift Dress is a favourite! I just love the leather sleeves, which add an edge to the dress. Normally with check dresses like this, there are a lot of red and green styles around, so I love that this colour is a bit 'out there' but so nice! I'd love to wear a nice tartan dress on Christmas Day so it'll be great if I find a similar one in town, that I can try on before I buy.

I had to include a skirt and love the look of this Checked Wraparound Skirt. I can totally imagine myself in something like this, with black tights, boots and a plain t-shirt tucked in. I love the simplicity of it, but it can also be a statement piece if everything else you wear with it is quite plain. It's made with cotton flannel, so I imagine it to be really soft and cosy and it also has a revealed zip on the back, which I love!

I'd be such a happy bunny with my wardrobe if I had all of this in it!

Do you have your Christmas Day outfit planned?

Don't forget to like, comment and follow to keep up to date with the rest of my Blogmas posts :).

Thanks for reading lovelies!

Gem XxOo

Images courtesy of Asos, New Look, Tanny's Couture and H&M.

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover (What A God Send)...

This is going to be a small post about a product I acquired recently that I feel is definitely worth sharing with you all!

Picture courtesy of Asos.

This little beauty (Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover) has been an absolute god send recently. I say recently, because I've only had it about a month and a bit. It's from Asos and is currently £4.99, which I feel is really reasonable. Sometimes, god send products can be a rip off, but this price was definitely a pleasant surprise :).

The nourishing formula is enriched with sweet almond oil, red fruit and vanilla fragrance. Trust me, the smell on your nails after you have removed any polish is absolutely gorgeous, not like the usual strong kinds of polish remover than can trigger a headache!

I can honestly say I have enjoyed removing my nail polish as and when I've had to recently, because this product means I can literally swirl each finger around in the pot a couple of times and all traces of nail polish is removed. It takes less than 30 seconds to do all ten nails, so then you can paint your nails with a fresh colour quicker, rather than having to sit there with normal polish remover and cotton pads trying to get into every nook and cranny of your nails to remove all traces of polish.

This is definitely a product that I'd recommend!

Do any of you lovelies have this?

Thanks for reading!

Gem XxOo

Paul and Joe 10th Anniversary Collection...Meow!

I recently received an email from Asos, telling me about the new range of Paul & Joe cosmetics that have been released, to celebrate their 10TH Anniversary. I have seriously never seen anything so cute in all my life! P&J designer Sophie Albou loves cats and has channelled this love into the new Limited Edition Meow cosmetics collection. Prepare for utter cute and adorable pictures...

There are three lipsticks in the range: Miaow (Soft Pink), Sex Kitten (Nude) and Catwalk (Peach). The lipsticks feature an inlaid paw print design to celebrate their 10TH Anniversary. They are enriched with moisturising Orange flower water and Jojoba oil. The packaging is so eye-catching and is sampled from their clothing range. I adore these, it would almost be a shame to use them as they look so cute with all the little paw prints on! These are my favourite products from within the range.

  

Picture 1 courtesy of b-glowing. Picture 2 courtesy of Asos.

There are three eye-shadow palettes in the range: Kitty Cat (Pink and Purple tones), Purr-fect (Green tones) and Siamese Please (Brown tones).

Picture courtesy of chinese-luxury.

Each palette contains an inlaid cat design and the shades come in contrasting shimmer, satin and matte textures. Again the eye-shadow colours contain moisturising Orange flower water and Jojoba oil. The gorgeous packaging designs are again samples from the P&J clothing collection. I received the Siamese Please palette to sample, here are some swatches:

There are three blusher sticks in the range: Catfight (Red), Glamour Puss (Nude/Cream) and Minou (Pink).

  

Picture 1 courtesy of b-glowing. Picture 2 courtesy of Asos.

The design is of a cat in a top hat...beyond cute! Along with the lipsticks, these are also my favourite products from within the range! They glide on to provide a rich, creamy, powder finish. Again, they contain moisturising Orange flower water and Jojoba oil. I think it's fab that a cute cosmetics line contains moisturising ingredients. It just goes to show that the range has been thought about with the user in mind, rather than just thinking that it doesn't matter what's in the lipsticks, the cute factor will make them sell. I received the Minou blusher stick to sample, here is a swatch:

       

There is also a matte pressed powder in the collection. Although I don't use pressed powder I am totally sucked in by the packaging - it's adorable! There is a cute cat print on the front of the compact and then when you open it you can't help but go - aww! Aswell as there being a cat shadow print on the actual powder, the powder puff is in the shape of a paw and has a paw print on it! The pressed powder comes in one colour: Cinnamon (see picture below).

Picture courtesy of b-glowing.

There are also three nail polishes in the range: Kitten Claws (Soft Pink), Manekineko (Hot Pink) and Tigress (Beige). Although they are cute shades, the nail polishes don't draw me in as much as the products with the cat designs. Although I am sure the quality is still top notch. There is moisturising Orange flower water in these and a Pearl calc to protect the nail.

Picture courtesy of b-glowing.

Lastly, there is a Black waterproof gel eye-liner in the collection. It is smudge-proof and contains quick dry oil so the eye-liner sets instantly (perfect!). It also contains film polymers that ensure a long lasting finish. The gel is enriched with moisturising Orange flower water. This also contains White Lily extract. A fine brush also comes with this product, for easy application.

  

Pictures courtesy of Asos.

My mum loves cats and we have three at home. I showed her this collection and she couldn't get over how cute everything is!

The products range from £10-£28 and are available from Asos and Paul & Joe counters.

Can you resist buying anything from this range? Or if you have anything from this range, how hard has it been to use the items when the designs are so cute?!

Much Love,

Gem XxOo

Disclaimer: I received The Siamese Please palette and Minou blusher stick to sample, hence the fact that there are only swatches for those two products. My opinions are and always will be 100% honest. See the disclaimer tab for more information.