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What’s In My New Handbag?

I am going back to old school YouTube roots a bit. Totally for a bit of fun and totally to show you my new bargain of a handbag from River Island.

I had been eyeing up this bag for a minute. They had posted a pic of it on Instagram and it looked so up my street.

I am crossbody bag kinda gal. I am an absolute brat when it comes to carrying things. Think of a five year old bringing their toys with them and then halfway through the journey deciding they don’t want to hold them anymore. That is me in a nutshell 🙂 I was previously using this backpack from Zara. It didn’t last very long though and I find I was just filling it with crap. I have a couple of Rebecca Minkoff cross-bodies and have been using them day to day, but I really needed something of decent quality that I could bash around a bit.

This bag is suede and leather and it originally retailed for €75/£55. If you buy from the likes of ASOS or River Island online, always buy in pounds. The conversion is so much better. I was holding off until it came into the shops, but kept checking up on it online. Does anyone else do that with things they really like? 🙂

I randomly checked on it one day and it was on sale for £25!! So I thought screw seeing it in real life first. With shipping, it cost me €31!! I thought that was a really bloody good deal for a leather bag. It’s still on sale on the River Island website here. (Update: It has just become out of stock, but they have loads of fab bags still on sale here) . Remember to buy in pounds 🙂

Overall, I am super happy with the bag. The quality is really decent and there’s no big RI logos anywhere on the outside of it. I am not a huge fan of that. It’s a little bigger than I thought it was, but for a day time bag, I am completely ok with that. The thick strap I love, although it isn’t as long as I would like and it isn’t adjustable. I definitely wouldn’t be able to wear this crossbody over a big coat. Not ideal, but I’ll probably just wear it inside my jacket as it gets colder, or on one shoulder.

In the video I give you a quick run through of what’s in my handbag. For fun, and just so you can see what it can actually hold. There is only one big compartment within it. It has a little zip enclosure for your purse/phone. And then a couple of little pockets. If you like your stuff compartmentalised within your bag, this isn’t for you 🙂

I know loads of you bought it. (Thanks loads for using my affiliate link). I’d love to know what you think and if you’re happy with your purchasing decision like me:)

xxx

October 19, 2018/by Gem

Fashion

H&M Autumn/Winter 2015

Last night I was lucky enough to go to the preview of H&M’s Autumn and Winter Collection.

The stock is in store from tomorrow the 10th of September so you don’t have long to wait, thank god 🙂

H&M is one of my favourite stores to shop in, and the Autumn/Winter collection this year does not disappoint. There is pieces for every budget and all styles, shapes and sizes. There is some fab key pieces for your wardrobe too, that will take you through the entirety of the colder months…yep winter is a-coming’ time to get your woollens out of hibernation 🙁

The lovelies from Stellar Magazine were there greeting everyone coming into H&M College Green and the gorgeous gazelle Vogue Williams was on the decks pumping out the tunes.

I snapped some pictures last night of what I thought would be wardrobe staples and thought I would put them together in a little blogpost, so you could get a jist of what will be in your local H&M store. Some of the pieces are even in store already.

There was lots of lovely accessories in store, but the shoes and boots particularly stood out to me. H&M wouldn’t be a place I buy alot of my shoes in, but I think I’ve been converted 🙂

I know I know they’re all black choices, but sure it is for Autumn and Winter…right 🙂

Next up coats and jackets. H&M have them in ambundance and for really good price points. the majority are under €100.

I think this one was my fave, love the collar and the length.

They have a cool vest option too if you’re not really a coat or jacket girl.

Loved this 70’s inspired look on one of the mannequinns.

The jeans look like they would be really flattering.

And this cute bow top.

It would be a great transitional piece for wearing to work during the days then would still work jazzed up with accessories and heels for night.

I think it would work great with this faux leather skirt.

I was very restrained and only picked up one thing.

This little sweater was only €14.99. I love the colour and of course the slogan is really cute too right?

I just wanted to add one more thing in because this item was getting more attention, than probably anything else in the store.

This is a handbag from the kids collection ha!!

The H&M kids selection would have you feeling totally jealous I have to admit. The items are amazing. Well worth a look if you are kitting out your little one.

Anything take your fancy?

xxx

September 9, 2015/2 Comments/by Gem

Monthly Favourites

Gem’s January Faves 2015

January has been and gone, we are officially into 2015, where is the time going? The end of a month means monthly favourites in my world, and so I am here to divulge some of the things I have been loving and using throughout the month of January 2015.

I firstly have something I have already prattled on about here so I’ll keep it short.

You can read the full review if you want my full opinions on Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Nude Foundation, and to see it on the skin. This has been the only foundation I have pretty much used in the month of January though. It is cheap,has good medium coverage, long lasting…and I like it! That pretty much sums it up 🙂

Up next I have one of my Christmas presents.

My Accurist rose gold and black leather watch. I have been wearing this nearly every day since I got it. I think it’s very classic but understated and seems to go with everything. It’s also light and comfortable. It is actually a man’s watch, but I like bigger watches so this appeals to me. I want one of these in every colour 🙂

I am a big believer in washing your face thoroughly before bed with a cleanser or a face wash whatever you use. I wear waterproof mascara and liner alot and these can be a pain and a bit messy to take off with a cloth or you hands so I like to use an oil based makeup remover just on my eyes to make washing my face then a little easier.

This Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover was on sale in Boots. I think it was less than €3, so picked it up to try. It does a really great job. I don’t even look when I am doing it. I just soak two cotton pads in it and gently rub my eyes with. It does the job really great. It’s also meant to condition your lashes which is a plus. If you are looking for an affordable paraben free range, give the Botanics in Boots a look. I really like the face wash from this range too, I really recommend them.

I think I mentioned this in a favourites post gone by, but I am throwing it again because I have not been able to get enough of it this month.

This is the Yonka Invigorating Dry Skin Toner, which is an aerosol toner. Do you like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir? Well then you’ll love this. It smells sooooo nice and earthy and it is really calming and hydrating on the skin. It contains lovely things like Lavender and Thyme (hence the smell) .It’s pricey but I need to buy a full sized bottle of it!

I have a couple of duo items up next.

The first is the Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter and then these funny little exfoliating mittens that I randomly picked up in good oul Penney’s. These two together for me are a match made in heaven. The wash is really emollient and moisturising on the skin and feels really luxurious. I’ve found using this with the exfoliating mittens really nice, as although I am getting rid of any dead skin cells with the abrasive gloves, the wash keeps the skin feeling nourished and looked after. The Whipped Cream smells of almonds which I am not a fan of, but I suck it up 🙂

My next duo are for the lips.

This is Rimmel’s lip liner in Eastend Snob and on of the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick Charms in Bitch Perfect. How pretty and tiny are these lipsticks? We both got the little trio of lippies for Christmas. Mine is mashed a bit, sorry. I did that after a few alcoholic beverages and didn’t twist the bullet back down properly.

I am not really a nude lip person very often. But just something about this duo made me feel comfortable. Perhaps because it’s more of a pinky nude, so I don’t feel completely washed out. I’m pale enough as it is 🙂 Eastend Snob is a great liner to have if you are looking to slightly over draw your lips or you just want to even out your lip line.

My last favourite for this month is the Fuchsia Pro Collection Palette.

I have been reaching for this so much of late. It’s great that an Irish brand are doing these pans that you can put into a zpalette and customise the colours to suit yourself. I had never really used the Fuchsia brand until we were kindly gifted these at a blogger Christmas Party. This one was prefilled, I did not choose the colours, but the colours in it are lovely. There is something for everything and everyone from cool tones to warm, neutrals to brights and shimmery to matte. The colour pay off is really nice and they blend well too. They also come in an array of colours and finishes. I will be investing in more for sure.

There you have it. January summed up in beauty products. That’s what we are here for, right?

Thanks for reading my ramble.

Gemma

xxx

February 4, 2015/by Gem

Haul, Makeup

I Did Some Affordable Makeup Shopping

Over the past couple of weeks I have picked up a few affordable makeup bits in between Christmas shopping for friends and family. I got some really nice goodies so I thought I would share them with you in case you need some shopping inspiration 🙂

First up I went to Boots, one of my favourite places to be. The waft of perfume as you walk through the door just puts me in a good mood.

I picked up Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Nude foundation.

This is a new version of their normal Lasting Finish which is a firm fave here at Chatterbox. This is a lighter version of it. It has a good medium coverage and an SPF of 20 which is great for an everyday foundation.

So far I have been loving this, it’s not cakey, the 100 Ivory shade is a good match for my pale skin and it has been lasting really well on my also oily skin. So far a good buy. This set me back €8.99 in Boots

I got one of Maybelline’s new Color Tattoo Leather Effect Cream shadows to give a go next.

This is in the colour “Vintage Plum 97”.

I have so many of the Color Tattoos and love most of them. This one is nice, I really like the colour, it makes a great base for plum, brown or purple eye looks. It is matte with no shimmer in it at all. I cannot say it really looks like leather though.

The Color Tattoos are €7.49 in Boots.

Another cream shadow creeped its way into my Boots basket…ooops 🙂

This is the Max Factor Excess Shimmer in “25 Bronze”. I am in love with this, let me tell you that from the getgo.

Oh my god the pigment is amazing, a tiny bit of this goes such a long way. The texture is so cool, it’s soft and nearly whipped to the touch unlike the Color Tattoos. It is so easy to blend also.

I can wear this just on its own without a shadow on top. I love the colour too, it’s bronze but with a coppery feel, right up my street. These cost €9.99 from Boots

Last thing I picked up in Boots was the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age, The Eraser Eye in “Nude”.

This is a sponge applicator under eye concealer for cancelling out under eye circles.

I’m on the fence about this product so far, I think I need to keep using it before I give a true opinion. It costs €11.99

Soooo, then I did some damage over on Cloud 10 Beauty They had 20% off their whole site for black Friday, I could not resist!! I firstly picked up the cult product that is The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer.

So many of you told me I needed this over on social media, so thanks 🙂 It is such a pretty gold toned highlighter. It is ridiculously shimmery but there is not lumpy sparkle in it which I think is what makes it so pretty and wearable.

You don’t have to look like a disco ball to get a highlighted effect. You can pick this up from Cloud 10 for €19.00

I picked up a Blank Canvas Cosmetics brush.

This is the E30 eyebrow brush. I wanted an angled eyebrow brush with a spooly on the end and this fit the bill, also the ends are purple how cute 🙂 This cost me €6.95

I got one of the Sleek Eye and Cheek Palette in “See You At Midnight 028”.

I have only gotten my hands on this today so I have yet to try it out properly, but on first look and swatch I really like it.

It is very winter appropriate. Plums, purple,cranberry and gold galore. There is two blush shades “Antique” in the top left corner and “Pomegranate” in the bottom right and then 4 eyeshadows from The Vintage Romance iDivine palette. Can’t wait to get stuck into it 🙂 I think this is the best deal out of everything at €12.95

I got another Sleek product from Cloud 10 Beauty.

Another Eau La La Liner to add to my collection. This is the shade “Cocoa 327”. Nothing much to say about it, it’s a matte chocolate brown eyeliner.

I love these liners, I have them in so many colours, but not in dark brown so I picked one up. This will set you back €5.99

I also got a couple of other random things so I thought I would throw them into the list too for good measure.

I got this when I was buying the other bits on Cloud 10.

This is the Daniel Galvin Junior Hangover Hair. My hair needs a bit of TLC and this was cheap and organic so I thought I would give it a go, no real thought process there. I will report back if it is any good. It is €4.49

Lastly, these are definitely not beauty based, but they are beautiful 🙂

These are New Look heels that I ordered from Asos when they were having 20% off for black Friday. I just thought they were so festive and sparkly and also the heel is thick and respectable not a look I go for very often 🙂 Full price, these are €39.99, so not bad at all, I am sure I will get alot of use out of them over the festive season.

I think that’s it, if you have made it to the end of this let me know, I know it’s a rambly one 🙂 Did you get any amazing bargains in the sales yet?

Thanks so much for reading and for the support.

Gemma

xxx

December 8, 2014/by Gem