Cut Out and Keep

Blogger doesn't like ampersand's, otherwise the title would have one in it! This is not a sponsored blog post - I need to put that out there right away. This is merely a post discussing something which I wish to support and reviewing the products and service for the benefit of my readers. 

So, Gemma from Gemsmaquillage has recently set up a webshop called 'Cut Out and Keep' which sells jewellery. When I looked originally there were only about 4 or 5 products and a limited number of each. I get the impression Gemma started small to test the market with a view, if it was successful, to build it into a larger affair with a wider variety of products. Although this could be an incorrect assumption on my part. Time will tell (or Gemma will herself!).

I follow Gemma on Instagram (Facebook, YouTube, Bloglovin' - you name it, I probably follow her there! I'm not a stalker I swear, I just support people I admire!). She uploaded a picture of her wearing some pretty funky rings (the ones I have photographed above) and I decided to check out the link that she'd posted below the photo. Low and behold it was Gemma's e-shop. I ordered the rings and the necklace (a picture of which I have taken and inserted below) on the 17th of August, they were shipped the same day before last post (bearing in mind Gemma was moving the next day, I was thoroughly impressed with her speediness!). I delightfully received them the following morning and was able to wear them on my jaunt into town.

The products were wonderfully packaged in black tissue paper and a branded label. They arrived in perfect condition and included a dinky little business card which can be seen in the first photo. The rings cost £4.50, the necklace was £3.50 and postage within the UK was £1.80, I believe. The rings are adjustable so that will eradicate 'disappointed face' as they should fit anyone's fingers! They are a bright shiny gold and as a result they don't look quite as luxe as the more expensive Topshop versions (which it must be noted I didn't know existed until I was already wearing these), but I love them all the same! The necklace I adore and it's really chic looking; it reminds me of something House of Harlow would produce. It teamed up well with the Aztec print t-shirt I have. I would order from the shop again as prices are reasonable and shipping was super-fast! You can visit Gemma's shop here. What do you think of these pieces? Would you like to get your hands on some? Below is a picture of me sporting the necklace!

These are a few of my whimsical things

I am sat here in a turban with my hair damp from the shower whilst I type this. I have no outfit post again for you today, sorry to those who like them. I haven't bought any new clothing in a long while as I have no money to do so (damn Masters!), hence why I've been slightly uninspired as far as new outfits for the blog go.

Anyway, I do have a rather vast collection of girly, whimsical and vintage pieces that I thought you might like to see; that's what this post will therefore be about. I love looking at pretty things on blogs, much more so than reading product reviews at the moment as I can't afford to buy anything new anyway. I like to get inspiration from other bloggers so that I can make the most of the items I already own, and learn how to wear them in a way I might not have previously thought of. On to the shiny things then!

This is a vintage 1940s Rhodium plated Shamrock with a 

Pearl set in the middle and Marcasite stones surrounding.

I am part Irish and I thought this was a great way to 

recognise that fact. So sparkly and shiny in real life! 

This is a bit of an odd one. I bought it at the RHS 

Flower Show in Cardiff last year. It isn't vintage

but I just loved the design. Pretty, pastel blue and 

featuring an embossed design of historical nature.

This teapot and tea cup charm necklace is not vintage

but handmade. I bought it in a gallery here on

Anglesey. It is so sweet! I love it. Tea, anyone?

I cannot express how important this ring is to me.

The green stone in the middle is in fact Irish

Connemara marble and it was bought by my grandfather

as a gift to my mother on her 18th birthday. She gave it

to me when I was just about to finish university. I only

wear it on special occasions.

Have you got any beautiful vintage jewellery that means a lot to you personally? I'd like to see some of your blog posts along these lines. I love pieces that tell a story.

Nicole x

Review: Look Beauty Eyeshadow

Look is a popular UK-based weekly fashion magazine. It features celebrity news, trend reports and excellently shot "normal" sized models mostly wearing high street clothes; it is written in an accessible manner and yet still manages to steer clear of the trashy style that other magazines of this genre tend to fall in to. As a fan of the magazine I was excited to learn, like many beauty bloggers, that Look were bringing out a make up range available in selected Superdrug's stores. Sadly, my local store doesn't stock the range (along with Sleek, MUA, Fashionista and any other cult bargain beauty brand - boo!) and as a result I had to wait until I ventured back down south to my hometown over Christmas before I could get my hands on anything. I ended up choosing a single eyeshadow in 'Luxe: Shade 18' to review; the stock levels were low and whilst I have colours like it already, the other colours left were just not my cup of tea.

This shade, whilst beautiful, is not in any sense unique - it is similar to 'Half-Baked' by Urban Decay to name but one comparison. I cannot find anywhere online that states the exact price of the individual eyeshadows, as most blogs have just regurgitated the PR circulation which states that 'prices range between £4-£18', which isn't helpful. I couldn't find anything on Look's site itself and the range isn't available to buy on Superdrug's website. However, I can tell you it isn't in line with MUA, Sleek or the other budget beauty brands that Superdrug tends to favour. I don't begrudge paying a little more though; the consistency of the shadow is lovely and smooth, it is highly pigmented, and I believe that Look make a donation to the 'Look Good...Feel Better' cancer charity with each purchase (a worthy cause). I do feel that the packaging of the single shadows is slightly uninspired but unlike many other beauty bloggers, this wouldn't necessarily deter me from purchasing a product. One other thing I did find incredibly irritating is that the amount of product you get is not printed on the label either, so I cannot divulge this information I'm afraid. In summary:

Pigmentation: Great; true to pan.
Consistency: Lovely and soft; no chalkiness in this specific shade and applies with ease.
Packaging: This is merely functional so won't appeal to those who like 'pretty' packaging. I like that it's clear and you can see the shade clearly, however. It's sturdy too.
Price: As I said, I cannot really comment on this as I can't remember and can't find it online.
Availability: Only available in the UK and only in very selected Superdrug stores at that; even when the stand is in the store they are generally incredibly empty which is disappointing (although I have found this with many Superdrugs across Wales for all brands).
Marks: I would give it a respectable 7/10.