Mixed Gems ’12 Days of Christmas’ Challenge

This year I’ve been treated to a very special kind of Christmas cracker… it’s the Super 12 Glitter Cracker from Peaches and Cream.

This glitter stack features the 12 most popular glitter colours from Peaches and Cream at a discounted price of £35.00, a saving of £13.00.

Yesterday, whist using these glitters on clients at work, it dawned on me that I haven’t worn a lot of them before. Bearing in mind that there are 12, I thought it would be a really fun idea to set myself a ’12 Days of Christmas’ task and use all 12 glitters over the festive period.

If you’ve bought the Super 12 then join in my challenge! I’ll be posting an account of how I’ve used my glitters in the new year and would love to see your photos.

A top tip? Polly taught me to use bright colours in a similar colour to your glitter when shading your socket. That way the eyes are still soft and blended but your glitter makes the same statement. Here’s a photo of my friend Flora when I used this technique on her. She’s wearing the Debbie blue glitter and a Lime Crime Magic Dust powder in Shoe Addict.

Send me your pictures by January 2nd 2012 for a chance to be featured on Mixed Gems in the new year and enjoy your festive challenge!

Revamp Your Man’s Winter Wardrobe

Following the success of my first ever guest blog post from Theo last week, I am excited to introduce you to my next guest blogger – Matt Healy.

Healy is one of my best friends and always dresses really well. Although his normal area of expertise is music, he begrudgingly agreed to pen me a male fashion post (a little flattery goes a long way) and has created a list of essential winter garments for your fella. You won’t need to worry about him wearing that awful cardigan or those trainers you can’t stand… just treat him to a few of these pieces at Christmas and he will be looking suave for all of your romantic plans.

Move over Gok Wan, Healy is here to help!

Revamp Your Man’s Winter Wardrobe

Stone Stag Valley Sweatshirt

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a novelty jumper now, would it? I mean what else do you wear to Christmas parties, to the dinner table, to bed? He could get away with wearing this one from high-street favourite, Topman, for the whole of the winter season. Priced at £28, it’s a steady investment for all.

£28.00, Topman

Fred Perry Byron Mid Trainer

These mahogany suede shoes might not be so practical for the wet days but they are perfect for nights out or for looking smart on a day-to-day basis. They are available in store or online at Fred Perry.

£64.99, Fred Perry

Criminal Damage Warley Jacket

The biggest and best investment this winter is without doubt the good old coat. Prepare him to brave the elements in this Warley Jacket from Criminal Damage. This navy and brown-buttoned coat is both stylish and practical and will go great with a pair of chinos.

£94.99, Drome

Red Twill Cotton Shirt

It’s not only Santa that can pull off the colour red this season; check out this smart/casual shirt from Topman. It’s not as offensively red as a santa-suit so it means you can pull it off at many a Christmas party. (Matthew gave another reference to ‘pulling’ following this statement. I swiftly removed it! – Rose)

£28.00, Topman

Black Swedish Fairisle Hat

The bobble hat is as integral to Christmas as Rudolph. Even if he’s not a hat fan, he may be glad of this purchase if the weather continues to stay the way it has been lately!

£12.00, Topman

Blue Snowman Motif Socks

An absolute Christmas essential is a pair of festive socks. If these don’t feature in his Christmas stocking, be sure to grab a pair from Topman at the bargain price of £3.

£3.00, Topman

For more information about Healy, be sure to follow him on Twitter. Happy Shopping!

Stocking Fillers for Your… Boyfriend

Mixed Gems Guide to Christmas

Today is a very special day at Mixed Gems. For the first time ever, I will be featuring a guest blogger!

With Christmas around the corner, I decided that it would be lovely to focus on some festive pieces for the next few weeks. As I brainstormed many topics, I found myself wondering whether I would, in fact, be the best person to cover them? When it came this particular piece I admitted that the answer to this was most definitely ‘no’, and so, instead, I enlisted the help of a charming friend. Meet Theo, and enjoy his piece.

Primarily a writer, and disciple, of all things sport, I occasionally dabble in other subject matter: an insider’s guide to running marathons, various travel pieces, homosexuality in sport, a fool’s guide to student politics. That kinda thing. Having recently graduated with a degree in French and English, a lot of my views were refined whilst a resident of French-speaking Canada (a far cry from my native West Midlands, not to mention colder). When not writing, I tend to drink whisky or run marathons. One or the other. Follow me on Twitter, @LeRowley.

Stocking Fillers for Your… Boyfriend

So, Christmas is approaching. At an unfathomable speed. To us men, that normally means one thing: we have to reacquaint ourselves with the dreaded ‘s’-word. Yes, the shops. Or at least (/best), an online equivalent. However, our personal toils and travails are all worth it when we deliver presents that astound the recipient by actually being impressive, heartfelt, generous gestures. And, the flip-side of the coin, we are equally smug as we devour the giftwrap off our hotly-received loot. But what, in the festive ephemera, is there which will elicit such an ecstatic response? Which goods, products and booty – nailed-on dead-certs – will astonish the man in your life? Read on as I glean both the virtual high street and the actual (albeit, less-preferred) one to deliver a list of ten things which would all be as well-received as the cancellation of X-Factor.

USB Fridge
Picture the scene: you’re sat at a computer, throat like a sawdust factory’s floor, and the nearest beverage dispensary requires you to leave your seat. Could this possibly be… the end of the world…? No, it most definitely is not! Because, sauntering to your rescue is this Bobby Dazzler of a present: a fridge, big enough to hold one 330ml can, that can be plugged into your computer! Wow. Fear not, my thirsty friend, help is here.
- Price? £20.99

The Ultimate Gadget Charger
In today’s technological day-and-age, where there is a gadget available to complete even the most mundane of tasks, comes this life-saver: the ULTIMATE gadget charger. Forget all those horrible wires, dangling everywhere, and all those plugs hogging the sockets; from now on you need only this beast to charge all those treasured bits of awe-inspiring machinery.
- Price? £59.99

Onitsuka Tiger trainers
Yes, trainers are a conventional present. But these are no ordinary trainer; these are the critically-acclaimed, universally-popular, celebrity-endorsed Onitsuka Tiger trainers. Durable and stylish, they are a real bargain at a penny under £50. They look good, they feel good, they smell good… they are good. Solid multi-purpose foot attire.
- Price? £49.99

Personalised Sports Mugs

Everybody drinks copious amounts of tea or coffee of some form (green tea is my preferred tipple). We’re a hot beverage-loving nation. So why not capitalise on this by splicing the name of your chosen one on to a mug, as he gets in on the action of a famous sporting victory! He could be beating Roger Federer at Wimbo, vanquishing the F1 championship or collecting the famous urn as he leads England to Ashes victory.

- Price? £9.95

Sterling Silver Personalised Silver Lid
A bit more obscure, this one. And, bizarrely, quite expensive. But those are both good – nay – great things! Quirky and lavish are always two endearing characteristics. And this is no different. Does he like Branston pickle? He does? Terrific! He may need never fear for confronting the pickle of someone else dipping their fingers in his pickle again.
- Price? £169.99

Terre D’Hermes aftershave 

Everyone enjoys smelling like a deliciously freshly-plucked flower. And everyone enjoys being complimented on how good they smell (although the above metaphor may attract replies of bemusement, rather than gratitude). This scent is sure to have – in the best possible way – other peoples’ nostrils going into overdrive. I’ve been a keen fan of Terre d’Hermes for a couple of years now and I can vehemently declare that it really is a classy, timeless, arousing scent, astounding noses everywhere.
- Price? £47.90

‘The Hangover 2’
Yes, a DVD is an unoriginal, unimaginative, characterless present. And usually my immediate thought, when receiving a DVD, is that the donor was all out of ideas. BUT… The Hangover 2 is, without doubt, the funniest film of the year. Hilarious and ridiculous in equal, unequivocal proportions. And it’s something you can indulge in together, as to share views on the disgustingly good-looking Bradley Cooper.
- Price? £9.97

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturiser
Those skincare aficionados over at Kiehl’s have done it once again: a moisturiser which not only reinvigorates skin, but is also a doozy for providing a soothing relief, post-shave. And it makes skin kissably smooth!
- Price? £36.00

A bottle of Grey Goose vodka
We all like a drink. No more so than at Christmas: family around, another year to look forward to (in your company, of course), sorrows to drown with endless hours of soaps dominating the television. Time to go wild. But, put down that can of lukewarm Carlsberg! This, THIS, is a drink to cherish, a drink to enjoy, a drink crafted by the gods themselves. Grey Goose is the daddy of vodkas; if the good Lord himself was to frequent the local tavern, this would be his drink of choice. Whether mixed with lemonade or enjoyed straight – over ice, of course – this is a classy, exquisite, tasty tipple.

- Price? £45.00

Golfers Tee Mug
Reverberating back to the mug theme, this is an ideal accessory for any man’s work place. A mug, yes … but the best bit is that it has an in-built archway, at the bottom of the mug, so that, along with the miniature golf club and ball, you can practise your swing when sat at a desk. Genius.
- Price? £8.99

A guest post by Theo Rowley

Rest assured girls, your Christmas shopping just got a whole lot easier! What did you think of Theo’s first post? Leave me a comment and let me know what your favourite recommended items were.

Stocking Fillers for Your… Girlfriend

Mixed Gems Guide to Christmas

Use these guidelines to give the lady in your life a stocking she will never forget.

1. Jewellery from Tiffanys. The moment she sees a little mint coloured box her heart will skip a beat. All of their jewellery is timeless – from padlock pendants to eternity rings – you won’t be able to go wrong.

2. Red lipstick, red nail varnish and perfume from Chanel. When it comes to cosmetics there is no brand like Chanel to make a girl feel pampered. Red nails and lips are classically the most beautiful (and sexy) and suit every woman regardless of her colouring or age. Perfume, too, is cliché for a reason; Chanel’s perfumes are the most sophisticated of them all. Encourage her to unleash her inner Coco Chanel and be sure to keep the packaging for extra drama.

3. Underwear from Agent Provocateur. From Kylie Minogue to Kate Moss or Maggie Gyllenhaal, Agent Provocateur is a beautiful lingerie line favoured by a clientele of utmost sophistication. Treat her to a couple of pieces from here and she will treasure them forever.

4. Chocolates from Hotel Chocolat. Chocolates are a must when celebrating Christmas, but where you’ve got them from will make all the difference. Hotel Chocolat chocolates melt in your mouth and are so perfect that you’ll be able to keep eating and eating without that awful sickly feeling (I’m speaking from greedy experience).

5. Tickets to the Opera. Bit of a wild card but derived from the ultimate ladylike moment! There are few more heart-warming film scenes than when Richard Gere decides to take Julia Roberts to the opera in Pretty Woman. Tell her that you’re recreating this moment of ultimate romance and she will love you forever. The evening will be a fabulous opportunity for her to wear all of the other things that you’ve bought her, too!

With a stocking like this, your girlfriend is sure to have a wonderful Christmas.

A Single Girl’s Christmas Survival Guide

Mixed Gems Guide to Christmas

Christmas and the single girl; it’s a combination for romance, drama, impulse shopping and excessive red-wine drinking. If you’re single this Christmas, follow these steps to ensure that you survive the festive season in one piece.

1. Start your outfit shopping now.
Nightmare situation: you’ve planned to go to the pub for the evening, just a casual affair, and then you discover that the person you’ve fancied for ages is due to go as well. With two hours to go until your friend picks you up in a taxi, you find yourself frantically scouring your wardrobe and feeling panicked and under dressed because you “couldn’t find anything to wear”. Don’t let this happen to you this Christmas! Start getting some classic pieces now that you can mix and match. Think pretty blouses, a pair of jeans that make your bum look great, a six-inch pair of high heels and a multitude of killer dresses.

2. Delete your ex’s number before you hit the town.
We’ve all been there girls… You’ve been out all night, your feet are killing, you’ve snuggled up into your pajamas, taken your makeup off and before you drift off you think it would be a brilliant idea to see how your ex is doing. Don’t do it! Romantic couples will be rife in every Christmassy corner you can think of – don’t give yourself an extra reason to moan about being lonesome under the mistletoe. Make sure your phonebook is jam packed with the names and numbers of every single, eligible bachelor you know and use your dutch courage to arrange a little dinner and movie combo.

3. Make a list of all your single friends and make lots of plans with them.
Christmas is a time when couples love spending time together, buying one another thoughtful gifts and relishing in their time off work so that they can do romantic things. This is all fair enough but it can be so utterly boring when you’re single. Make sure you don’t spend your days sulking that your best mate is having a curry with her boyfriend; ensure that you’re too busy curling your hair for a huge night on the town with all of your free friends.

4. Thank the lord that you can enjoy your day without having to impress the in-laws.
There are few things more stressful than meeting the family of someone you really like. You worry about what to wear, whether the mom will think you’re pretty, whether the little sister is going to hate you… the list is endless. Although it can be lovely when your boyfriend’s family is a pleasure to see, what about the ones that don’t get on? Enjoy your Christmas day with your family and relish in the fact that you can spend it munching everything in sight and lounging in your new pajamas. Later on, when you get texts from your girlfriends about how their bloke’s families are driving them around the bend, you’ll have nothing to worry about except where your mom has put that box of Celebrations.

5. Don’t be selfish – be there for someone who needs you.
It’s all very well whining that you’re not being whisked away for romantic dinners this Christmas, but take the time to remember the other single people around you. Think of the people that have lost someone they loved… Christmas can be an incredibly lonely time. Make the effort to do something good, like visiting a care home or an elderly relative, and instead of worrying about being on your own, find someone who would really appreciate your company.

Enjoy your Christmas and keep an eye on the mistletoe!

Best Books of 2011: 5 Christmas Gift Ideas

Mixed Gems Guide to Christmas

For the past year I’ve read and reviewed some lovely books for my A la Mode Appraisal column. Here are my five favourites, in no particular order, and why they’ll make brilliant Christmas presents. Click the title of each book to read my review.

Doppelganger by Gestalten
This book examines the human form in all sorts of strange and wonderful artistic forms. Perfect for art lovers and those with wild imaginations, it is packed with unbelievable visuals.
Who will love it? Males and females of all ages.

My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti
For crafty types or those who love to draw, this is an activity book with a twist. Filled with half-completed drawings of everything fashion related, this book will be perfect for filling those Christmas afternoons when you’re too full to move.
Who will love it? Girls with a penchant for doodling and diamonds.

What on Earth are You Wearing? by Michi Girl
A hilarious commentary on the fashion world, this book has been written from the perspective of a fashionista weather girl. It is abstract, witty and easy to dip into when you have 5 minutes here and there. A light and funny read.
Who will love it? Those who know their Wintour from their Wilhelmina.

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by Francois Nars
Ever wondered how to get your makeup just right? This book is a brilliant guide from the man behind NARS cosmetics and contains invaluable unisex tutorials for all sorts of beauty looks. An amazing investment for any beauty lover.
Who will love it? Makeup enthusiasts of all sexes, races and ages.

Luella’s Guide to English Style by Luella Bartley
A quintessential guide to all sorts of English fashion trends, from Emo to Goth and Punk, designer extraordinaire Luella Bartley shares her thoughts on everything about English Style.
Who will love it? Fans of the designer and anyone with a love for British fashion.

Be sure to look for these books on Amazon before purchasing directly from a book store or publisher – you may find them for a fraction of the price and in pristine condition.

Happy shopping!