A Cambridge Day Out | BOTANIC GARDENS

I for one, am always on the look out for a great yet affordable idea for a day out with my girls (a.k.a aleewowza [ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3kMDlNBYrifJ0_9O689pgA ] and Ellie [ https://wanderlustandstardustweb.wordpress.com/%5D ) and this trip was no exception. We set out one warm August morning to the Cambridge Botanic Gardens in an effort to spend time together, catching up without having to spend a lot of cash. Located a stone’s throw away from the station with links up and down the country, the gardens consist of :

40 acres of gardens and plants, popular with families and couples, plus glasshouses and a cafe.

Not only was it refreshingly chilled out for a day trip but also allowed us to have a cheeky photo shoot amongst the flowers and *squeal* succulents.

The entry to the gardens is around a fiver for an adult but you can get a discount if you have a student ID or Unidays (score!). Overall I enjoyed a really wholesome day out with the girls that didn’t break the bank!

OUTFITS

Ellie’s Top – Topshop

Ellie’s Jeans – NewLook

Ellie’s Bag – Accesorize

Alee’s Top – NewLook

Alee’s Jeans – Select

Alee’s Shoes – Adidas

Alee’s Bag – Calvin Klein

My Top – Newlook

My Jeans – GAP

My Bag  – Primark

My Shoes – New Balance

MUST READ

Following on from my last blog post, though I didn’t have enough time this week to write up a post I did read this wonderful post written by Carly Rowena who is a godess in ALL of the ways whilst I was searching through her blog archive. I found it so interesting and helpful that I simply HAD TO share it.

Please enjoy it and I’ll see you next week

Click Here to read her post on motivation, comfort zones and how to progress.

Gem x

5 Tips to Kicksart your 2017 Fitness Journey

I know it’s nearly the end of January but  FITNESS IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

Now just so you know I’m no Fitness expert or Personal Trainer or anything like that but I like to think I know a little thing or too about being vaguely healthy. I, like many others, set an improvement in my health as one of my New Year’s Resolutions and I intend to keep it up, having said that I do definitely go through phases and it CAN be hard to get back into that good spot. Here are a few of my tips and tricks to make a healthy lifestyle that little bit easier:

Foodie Floaties | Recipe for the Best Summer Ever

Food themed pool floats are becoming more and more of a trend and this year is no different! Here are 3 faves to get your obsession started:

Pretzel Pool Float – link here

Doughnut Rubber Ring – link here

Pizza li-lo – link here

SUMMER FASHION FIVE |Recipe for the Best Summer Ever!

So its June already! Holy Moly!

Since I know how short summers can be here in the Uk, I thought I’d get this post out nice and early so you can all benefit. Without any further ado here is the ultimate list for all the essentials you will need for the BEST summer!

Ensure you have these products and I’ll guarantee you’ll have covered all bases!

Here’s my guide to the essential items you can’t be without this summer:

Fitness Outfit Inspo | Keep up your New Years Resolutions

Hey so its March ALREADY!!!

Its been so long since we made those New Years Resolutions all the way back in January. If you need some help with keeping up your fitness motivation and inspiration just keep reading!

Bottle // Sports Bra // Top // Leggings // Gym Bag // FAVOURITE Headphones

Life in Noir | Fashion Favourites | GUEST POST

Hey guys!

It’s Alexandra (Alee) Morris and I will be talking about my recent change in fashion to the good old black and white photo days, with the help of my bf George….

Let’s get started, what particularly drew me to this style of clothing was that it looked classy at the same time as being a casual city style. It’s totally versatile and easy to match with other accessories, allowing you to pick one item of clothing that adds a pop of colour to your outfit.

So first let’s set the rules;

What’s In My Bag 2016 ~ COACH

My Go-to Crossbody

Burgundy, Baby Pink and Warm Orange | Coach

The bag I am currently using for small outings or evening meals is my small Coach cross-body bag. I absolutely love this bag as it is both absolutely gorgeous and practical as well. A medium size between as pouch and a handbag you can fit a surprising amount of stuff in here, so here we go.

• My Purse – A Silver Michael Kors Affair – With room for notes, coins and just as many cards. A small enough size to fit into smaller bags like this but big enough to hold all I need for most days.
  

  Bag Essentials

• A Hot Pink Coach Mini Purse – So beautiful and great quality, you could even use this asa clutch on a night out.
• INSIDE THE POUCH – Benefit Minis are the perfect size to carry along but also great to top-up your look throughout the day or if you’re staying over somewhere.
• Spearmint Gum – because you need gum to survive life, Spearmint is the best flavour obvi!
• My Phone – because who doesn’t have one – my phone case is from Karl Lagerfeld and I love it, so kitsch and cute!
• Old train tickets – ok so maybe I should have cleaned my bag out before but hey! At least I’m honest!!

 

January Favourites 2016

 

HOW IS IT THE END OF JANUARY ALREADY?!?!

I know it’s not quite the end of January just yet but it IS the last blog post of January so today I’m going to be rounding up my favourites of the past month.

1. NewLook Black Heels – These were the shoes that I wore on NYE (technically not January but..) and I love them so much – I am typically afraid of wearing heels because I am quite tall already and don’t want to look giant like. However these have a small heel on them somehow without looking clumpy and hooflike at the same time. Cheers New Look!
2. Makeup Revolution Palette – I know I already talked about this one in my last blog post but really this palette is amazing ~ the matte colours are more pigmented than my Urban Decay palette and the shimmers are gorgeous. I only really use the more glittery ones in the evening but they are lovely as well.
3. The Gulliver Tea – I bought this tea in Bruges in December from the most lovely café with the most lovely #LatteArt as seen in my Instagram 😉 . The tea itself is a massive mix of different herbal ingredients so the label is quite overwhelming. But it tastes AMAZING, main notes of lemongrass, rose and jasmine with more subtle flavours to boot!
4. Tanya Burr Rosy Flush Palette – A pretty rose flush shade a kin to Benefit “Rockateur”, A bronzer that is in between warm and cool – great for all skin tones, and such a beautiful highlighter that is icy toned – again great for all skin tones. I have been using this everyday for the entire month, maybe not the highlighter but all the rest!
5. Starbucks Caramel Macchiato – I’ve stopped buying the seasonal drinks in the past month, they’re a bit too sweet and too pricey for me. However I felt a bit drab going straight back to regular-old coffee. So in between I have found the classic and delicious Caramel Macchiato. I have no idea why I’ve never tried the before! But now I have started I think I’m addicted!
6. SCANDAL – I’m a little late to hop onto this particular band-wagon but after listening to Meghan Rienks rave about this show for the umpteenth time I gave in and started watching about half way through the month. As of now I am only a couple episodes in but I am really enjoying it. The actual affair part is not so much what I watch it for, more the heist style negotiating team who will do whatever it takes to solve a case. That’s much more Ocean’s 11 and much more me.

 

anddddd That’s All Folks! Have a Great February!

Your Top 5 Profiles to Follow on Instagram in 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVRYONE!

These days almost everyone has made or plans to make a set of New Year’s Resolutions. Almost everyone these days has Instagram… So why not make it your resolution to follow these 10 inspirational, beautiful, exciting and educational Instagram accounts this year

1. @Blogilates

Probably the most common New Year’s Resolution ever made is “BECOMING HEALTHIER AND FITTER” and there is no better person to follow is this is your goal. Cassey Ho is a stunning fitness, healthy eating and self-confidence enthusiast and showcases all of this on her stunningly bright and happy Instagram.

FEATURING: Recipes, Positivity Quotes, 15-sec workout tutorials, Lifestyle

2. @AnnaHigginsDesigns

New Zealand artist and all-round sassy biatch Anna Higgins will fulfil your daily (or almost) dose of girl-power, empowerment and humour in the form of super pretty and yet simple drawings and prints which are also available to buy 🙂

FEATURING: Sass, Motivation, Empowerment, Tumblr-ness, Pretty Prints

3. @DESIGNTEXTS

 

Motivational Happy Quotes, Beautiful fonts and typography all on top of pretty tumblr backgrounds. What more could you want?

If you want a happier and more positive start to your 2016 then this is the account for you ~ I mean you’re probably already following them!

 

4. @humansofny

Photographer Brandon Stanton has talked with 10,000 strangers on the streets of the Big Apple and shared their heart-warming and heart-breaking stories with the Internet via this beautiful Instagram account. (Oh and he also has a book!)

FEATURING : Interesting Tales, Smiles or Tears, Humility, Photography

5. @YOYOHA

Artist Josh Hara draws detailed, amusing and simply effective cartoons on coffee cups. From the Force Awakens, To Hotline Bling to Taylor Swift you’ll find all manor of doodles on these mini pieces of beauty.

FEATURING : Humour, Drake, Art and Star Wars.

( 6. @Gem.co.uk ~ Cheeky Self-promo)

If you want to see artsy photos and tumblr-shite as well as stay up to date on my oh-so interesting life 😉 then simply click the blue button 🙂