How To Get More From God

"Men would pray better if they lived better. They would get more from God if they lived more obedient and well-pleasing to God."
~E.M. Bounds










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"A bit whoreish"

I was channelling my inner rock chick a smidge more than usual yesterday when I wore this to work...

Jacket, tee and leggings - all Topshop, shoes c/o Very.co.uk

The necklace was a gift from the fab Lou Makes and is only £7.50 online! I used to want a treble clef tattoo when i was about 15. It was the first tattoo idea I had that I was like 'oh my god, that would be SO. ME.' I never got round to it, but this lovely long pendant has certainly stirred up some nostalgia... I told myself I'd never get another tattoo as my first one was so bloody painful, so my necklace will have to fill the void for now! 

The red pout is courtesy of Eyeko's Liptastik pen in 'Lip Lover' (£6.50). It has a sort of fruity scent, and stayed put all day. It was moisturising without being wet enough to go all over my teeth, so it's a big thumbs up from me. Alex on the other hand... "It just looks, for lack of a better word... a bit whoreish." He said it so matter-of-factly! He was speaking of red lippy in general, not just me... Not sure how that justifies it, though. It makes it more of an open insult to all of us! BOYS. 

Remember if you use my ambassador code 'E11298' when checking out on Eyeko's site, I'll get 15% commission and if you spend over £15, you get a freebie! Finances are grotesque at the moment, so to anyone that has used my code lately - thank you from the bottom of my echoing purse! ♥

So, any fun weekend plans in store for you? I'm off to the Vintage Festival tomorrow... Or at least I hope I am. I'm looking up train times now and there seems to be some severe shiz going down which is making journeys to London from here far more complicated than usual. Fingers crossed I can find an easier way because I don't wanna waste my day off! 

♥

The Footprints Of Jesus

"As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you." ~Charles Stanley





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Causing My Brother To Stumble

"It's bad enough for me to make choices that hurt my own relationship with God. How much more serious is it to be the cause of someone else deciding to sin? Not only must I choose the pathway of holiness for God's sake and for my own sake; I must also do it for the sake of others."
~Nancy Leigh DeMoss



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Temporary Secretary = Permanent Awesomeness

I was chuffed to bits last week when probably my favourite online jewellery shop, Temporary Secretary, offered to send me a few prezzies. Temporary Secretary have a crammed online store, full of the cutest, most covetably kitsch jewellery you could ever wish for. They also sell other bits and bobs too, like stationery and lip balms, all with a truly kawaii twist!

I won't bombard you with all the bits I was sent, but I will show you the two pieces I wore to work yesterday, minutes after I had snatched the package from the Postie's hand! 

A glimpse of the wrapping:

I was also sent a bunch of adorable letter paper too! I want to frame it all, it's insanely adorable!

So, the outfit:

(Dress - c/o Clothing at Tesco, Shoes - c/o Very.co.uk, Cardi - charity shop, Necklace - Temporary Secretary (Scroll down for a close-up!)

How amazing is this camera ring (£9)? I prob should've had it on the other way up for the photo! See all the camera rings here, they are too awesome for words, and oh so relevant to us bloggers!

 My shoesies (and a Sainsbury's bag including cookies, tortillas and lasagne, since you asked!)

A close up of the best necklace I've ever had: 'Millie The Persian' (£15). It is a brooch too, if you remove the chain, so you are getting two pieces of jewellery for the price. I plan to pin a ribbon bow to a collar using this cat brooch in the middle! 

I seriously recommend a visit to the beautifully designed website and blog (which includes sneak previews and lovely outfit photos of the lady behind the company!) 

The bottom line: From cute to quirky, there is something stylish for everyone - and the prices are very reasonable to boot! 

I look forward to sharing my other Temporary Secretary pieces with you soon! But it's not all about me and all da freebz, as I have arranged a little 10% discount for you guys using 'GEM10', valid until 11th August. 

Have you bought anything from Temporary Secretary before? If not, do you have your peepers on anything from the site? 

♥

Our God Is Well Able

"Friend, today I want to encourage you. If there’s something coming against you, consider your God. He has a way to meet every one of your needs. You may not be able to beat the competition in the natural, but God can simply remove the competition. He wants to give you His favor. He wants to give you the advantage for success. Trust Him and believe because with God, all things are possible."
~Joel Osteen (Matthew 19:26)




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Some pretty epic voucher codes!

Just read one of those emails from VoucherCodes.co.uk and was pleasantly surprised to see some rather fantastic offers in there I had to share! It's not like I can afford to shop at the moment, so let me know if you snap anything up and I can live vicariously through you guys. Sigh! 

The link to all of the codes is HERE, but here are a few of my faveys:

♥ 20% of Urban Outfitters using the code VC20UK

♥ 20% off Clothing at Tesco using XX-VC20OFF

♥ 20% off at Elemis using VC04JUL11 

♥ 15% off at Figleaves plus free delivery using FIGVC15

♥ 15% off at Look Fantastic plus free delivery using A1F5FL

♥ Free delivery at Debenhams using SH45 (Great for snapping up some H! by Henry Holland bits!)

(Some terms and conditions apply so check them out here - most state you can't use them on sale, and some only have a short period of time left.)

Hope this blog doesn't sound spammy but I thought these codes, especially the UO one, were worth sharing. Especially seeing as UO were one of the only shops not to offer a discount in that online shopping feature in the latest Look mag! Obviously VoucherCodes.co.uk knew how to twist their leg! 

Enjoy on my behalf, guys!! Hate you a bit...

♥ 

In with the new (old) shoes!

These are some of the weird and wonderful charity shop shoe finds I've acquired in the past month... All pretty fugly in their own little way. Thus, I love them. 

(Crazy little furry shoe-boots by a Spanish brand, Patricia! They're so Autumn/Winter! That didn't sound dickish at all...)

(Bit tight but j'adore these Kaleidoscope beauties!)

Must. Stop. Buying. Shoes. At least my habit involves charity shop shoes and not Louboutin's, though!

We're getting the wheels in motion for our move to a bigger house on 10th August, where we'll have quite a bit more storage so I'm looking forward being able to hide my shoe addiction a bit better... The piled-high shoe rack in the hall which is literally buckling under the weight is a tad embarrassing!

In other news, I'm working lots over the next few days, and then on Sunday I'm going to the Vintage Festival on the South Bank in London (thanks to Vitamin Water). Anyone else going along? Going to have to dig out my most vintagey (?) outfit to wear. And I will be snapping everyone else's outfits too for your perusal! It always makes me sooo nervous to ask for outfit photos, but it's worth it in the end.

Blog ya later ♥

PS - I'm a bit late to the party, but how funny is this Masterchef 'remix'?!

The Rock Is Moving On Your Behalf

"Embrace the fact that God's concept of time and reality is moving on your behalf. Even though you can't see it, the Rock is moving for you. The Rock may look stationary, sitting at the right hand of the Father, but behind the scenes He is moving on your behalf. The new view you now have reveals the truth that God can work it all out and give you a fresh start. It may not always be a pleasant experience, but God will work it out on His side of reality, not yours. You are here for a reason; there's no one else like you. You are so special that God went way out of His way to send His Son to deliver you in His concept of time and reality. Purge the files of old data and download God's glory. He saw your faith when you were yet unformed." (I John 5:4) ~Pastor Danny Diaz
From the book: A Life Designed by God, Whitaker House 2007



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Tuesday Tip: Button Revamp

This simple but effective idea is one of the tips I included in the big book o' tips I handed in for my final project at university. I'm still trying to work out what to do with the book, as I want you all to get to see it... Considering my options at the mo!

My boyfriend Alex has been using this tip quite a lot at the moment to jazz up vintage cardigans etc. I just love how adding or replacing buttons on an item of clothing can totally change it for the better. 

I have divided the double page spread into 2 separate pages below so it's bigger and easier to read:

Layout designed by Jade Cooper-Collins, illustrations by Emilie Lashmar!

Do you have any simple ideas you use to breathe new life into clothes? Spill the beans!

♥

The Power Of Together

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." ~Helen Keller
(Hebrews 10:25)





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Remember Our American Soldiers

"I'm just one of many moms who will say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way." ~Sarah Palin





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Spaced Out

I painted my (plastic) nails last night and decided to attempt my first ever space nails, inspired by the new Mac OSX Lion background! Apple geek in da houze. I use the term 'inspired by' very loosely as my spacey nails technique needs a bit of improvement! 

The other nails were coated in Models Own Disco Mix (GORGE), which I put over a base coat of Models Own Pro in Black Grape (freeb). Except my ring fingers, which had the gorgeous Models Own True Blue and leopard print using my black Models Own nail pen (freeb) and white one! 

Will do a spacey tutorial if I nail the technique (accidental pun there!) It essentially consists of using a washing up sponge to dab lots of different colours onto the nail. Youtube it! 

Am still loving the benefits of using fake nails. It's just SO much easier and more blunder-proof to paint in advance. I painted them last night and whacked them on in 3 minutes this morning before work. Instant epic nails, without messy edges/dents. See my Tuesday Tip on false nails here! 

In other news, I'm a bit achey from a freak bout of motivation I had earlier on which saw me jogging around the local field and then doing some weights with baked bean tins when I got in! Must keep it up. It would mean so much to me to no longer have arm chub that sways in the breeze. Don't get me wrong, I rather like my bod, but my snacky ways are definitely showing more than ever! 

Anyway, we're going to watch a film called Submarine now, so I'll bid thee farewell! 

Have you had a nice weekend? I do hope so! 

♥

PS - I've joined Tumblr! Cringe. 

What Is God Concerned With?

"God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character." ~Joni Eareckson Tada



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Enjoying The Seasons Of Life

"The difference in seasons is who enjoys you."
~Dr. Mike Murdock






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Cool shop alert: Sosolo!

I first heard of Sosolo the other day when they added me on Twitter. I checked out the website and loved what I saw... Lovely clothes, pretty styling and very reasonable prices!

Sosolo sell new, vintage and also emerging designers' work, which is always nice to see! As if this wasn't good enough, they are also giving you guys 10% off using 'GEMRC10' (valid until 31st July, not valid on sale or premium items). Now that's what I call a fab first impression! 

Here are some of my picks:

    

£38, £17

Shirts - £20, £25

 
£25, £28

         

Shirt £30, Trousers £30

Have you heard of or bought from Sosolo before? What did you think?

I can't afford to be internet shopping at the mo, so until I can, I shall amuse myself by typing Sosolo again and again, as it is one of those great words to type. Try it. Sosolososolososolo etc. Yes, this is my Saturday night's amusement.

♥

Why Do We Have Two Hands?

"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with." ~Dr. Billy Graham






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Sketchy style

I was chuffed to bits when a blog reader called JiHyun sent me this lovely drawing she did of one of my recent outfit posts. 

I wish I looked like this in real life. Illustrations look vastly cooler than us boring old humans!

Thank you, JiHyun, keep up the fab work on your Tumblr!! 

x

The Presence Of God

"The PRESENCE of God is better than the PRESENTS of God." ~Donnie Alexander
(Exodus 33:15)





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What Is Love?

"Love is friendship set on fire." ~Jeremy Taylor





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The most purrfect watch..!

I spotted this unbelievably amazing watch in a glass cabinet in a charity shop in Elgin, Scotland. It didn't have a battery so it was a tense wait to see whether it would work, but it does and I'm sooo glad!

Stuff I love about my new watch:

♥ There's a kitten on it, obvz. 

♥ The second-hand is a mouse!

♥ The cats on the strap look identical to my Roxy! 

♥ The strap is tan leather. 

♥ It's just quite nice to know the time, really. 

♥ The second-hand is a mouse!!!!

Errr, yes that was my first ever attempt the make a GIF which was one of the most laborious things I have ever done. I read that it was quite easy to turn a vid into a GIF but it was a steep learning curve! I also didn't realise how warped my idea of 'holding the camera steady' was..!

Off to watch Haz P (as the delightful daisybutter referred to him on Twitter the other day!) at the cinema today. Then picking up a mysterious red slip from the Post Office!

Have a fun Wednesday!

♥

The Spirit Of Christ

"Souls are made sweet not by taking the acid fluids out, but by putting something in--a great Love, a new Spirit--the Spirit of Christ." ~Henry Drummond










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Scotland Video Diary Part 2 & 3! Glasgow to Cullen and home again...

Afternoon chums! 

Here are the second and third (final) parts of my video account of our trip to Scotland to see Alex's family. To recap, my camera exploded (whilst I tried to mend it with a toothpick, admittedly) right before our trip, and rather than not document it at all, I borrowed Alex's Flip-style camera to take some footage along the way. 

I'm so pleased the first instalment went down so well, I didn't think anyone would want to spend 17 mins watching my antics, so thanks if you did! As a reward, here's about 25 minutes more - ho ho! 

So what to expect from these two 12 minute instalments? 

Part 2 features: Reflection on my meeting with Ayden, bickering with Alex, our weird american 'joke accents' (does anyone else have these?), investigating a cave (kinda), ducks, dinner and vomit. 

Part 3 features: Dead pets, evening seaside strolls, a dog doing tricks, seals, sleeper trains, more bickering and my cat Roxy. 

Mmm, vomit and dead pets! I do spoil you! There are some giggles in there too, honest!

Part 2:

Part 3:

Hope you enjoy :)

I'm lining my tum with Nesquik milkshake now (top tip!) and am off out with my Topshop pals tonight. Excited! 

♥ 

Be A Person Of Excellence

"If you will stay in faith and go out each day and be a person of excellence, you’ll have times where it’s as if you just stumbled into God’s blessings. You’ll look back and think, “How did I get to where I am? I’m not the most qualified, but I got the promotion. I didn’t deserve that break, but someone went out of their way to help me.” What happened? You walked into that favor that was already poured out on your path." ~Joel Osteen (Psalm 5:12)






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Discipline Begins With The Body

"Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us for sacrifice. We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves." ~Elizabeth Elliot




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Graduaaaation Day!

On Wednesday, I graduated from UCA Rochester with a degree in Fashion Promotion.

It was very windy, so in most of my photos I'm wrapping my gown round me to stop it and my dress blowing up! You can just about see my dress in the photos of me going to shake Zandra Rhodes' hand! She's the chancellor of UCA, apparently!

The gorgeous Rochester Cathedral:

Plus me:

Plus mum:

Minus mum, plus Alex:

 The dreamy interior... Hogwarts eat your heart out!

Going to shake Zizzle Rhizzle's mit:

Unfortunate expression, but you can see the dress a bit better here! 

Larking about afterwards with Alex and mum, both trying my hat on. Alex doesn't want to attend his graduation (it's all a "sack of shit") so we were taking some pretend graduation photos for him.

Mum has no excuse for modelling the hat besides being a general clown. My "anything for the lolz" attitude definitely comes from this lady!

Not to blow my own horn, but I was unexpectedly featured in the graduation brochure (and mentioned in the 'Student Successes' speech) due to winning that ASOS blogger comp! Uni are a bit behind the times, and seem to be unaware ASOS is old hat now I am a primetime TV scrounger megastar! Jooooke! 

I got a star next to my name because I scraped achieved a first! Haha! 

I haven't been able to reflect properly on the fact I've graduated just yet. I guess I should be feeling emotional or proud or something, but the truth is I'm just consumed with terror about how I'm supposed to support myself without that lovely student loan... 

Once I've found a source of stable income (apparently, my current job ain't it) to cover my £600 a month outgoings (rent/bills/doughnuts), I will be able to look back on my uni years and feel something. Until then, it's frantically refreshing Gorkana and eBaying my possessions all the way. 

♥

PS - I think I have found my soulmate!!