Gem and Jo's Water of the Week - Flavoured Water

This week we've decided to do something a little different, and it wasn't because of the fact that neither of us happened to have any fruit in our houses today (that's a lie, we got a little lazy...oops)

The other day we happened upon something amazing, magical in fact. 

Flavoured water.

Don't rush to judge us now, we know that the general opinion of flavoured water isn't great but this one seems pretty good to us!  We picked up Tesco's Orange and Peach Still Water, just to try something a little different and we were surprised at how good it is!

It's seriously tasty and from the ingredients the only thing it contains is a little flavouring and some sweeteners. All the GDA information is in the green and it contains hardly anything! Check for yourself, here's the nutritional information for Tesco's Peach and Orange Still Water:

You can pick this 1 litre bottle up for just 40c! How good is that? You can also get it in a pack of 4 for €1.99 or you can go fancy and get Volvic's version for €1.45

You can pick these up from Tesco stores or you can order them online here

Have you tried this water or any other flavoured water? What's your opinion?

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Primark and ASOS Haul.

Who doesn't love a little retail therapy, we certainly do! Plus everything from Primark is just so amazing cheap and everything from ASOS is on sale for amazing prices! What's better than great prices and sales? Nothing we tell you, nothing!

Check out what we bought below:

Don't you just love Primark? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Water of the Week - Strawberry and Lemon

And it's back! Water of the week took an unscheduled break last week, lets just blame it on someone else and not our inability to remember the simple things. It's all George's fault. Whoever George is. 

This week it's Strawberry and Lemon, a really refreshing and light combo. Perfect for this time of year! 

Here's what you need: 

Strawberries!

A Lemon!

Thinly slice your strawberries and lemons, don't forget to make sure the slices fit in your water bottle!

Chuck everything into some icy water and off you go.

Here's why this combo is good for you: 

• Both lemons and strawberries are go to detoxing fruits for when you're feeling a little unwell or generally want to feel better and healthier. 
• Strawberries are high in water and fibre content!
• Strawberry and lemon water is thought to have the ability to flush your liver of toxins!
• Lemon water is a natural digestion aid and can stave off hunger during a diet!
• Strawberries whiten your teeth while lemons help your skin!

What water are you drinking this week? Have you tried any other fruit infused waters?

Until next time, 

Gem and Jo's Spring Essentials

And so the springness begins, the warm sunshine, the flowers blooming and the laughter of children in the air.... Except none of that because we're in Ireland and the weather is not good enough for any of that stuff until at least June. Sad times... Nevertheless we filmed our Spring Essentials video. It's slightly summery because we're being optimistic. Very optimistic.

Shout out to In The Frow and Lucy and Lydia for the inspiration for this one, watching hours of youtube has finally paid off in the form of video inspiration. Don't judge us. If you wanna watch their video click here

What are your spring essentials? Is the weather nice where you are? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo Review P.S. Beauty - Hard Nails

Well hello there person. Today we're talking Primark's PS. Beauty range. Specifically their range of nail saviours. Specifically their nail saviour named Hard Nails. Specifically... just kidding!
Primark have a couple of nail products in their beauty range and we've picked up the one which claims to harden nails - hence the products name being Hard Nails.
You've got to give it to Primark for their excellent branding, they are so unique and original with their product names and it really gives a sense of imagination....could you sense the sarcasm there? Was it a bit too strong, like a super smelly, fancy cheese?

So Gem was our guinea pig for this product because her nails have been in awful shape lately, the changing weather hasn't helped. Sad moment when the weather in your country is so horrible that it actually messes with your nails. Here's what Gem's nails looked like before she used the product:

As you can see there is quite a lot of damage to Gem's nails, they are not a pretty sight! They're quite brittle and are doing that really annoying peely thing. So in an attempt to fix them up, we picked up the PS Hard Nails and chucked it on. Here's what it looked like on Gem's nails:

The product goes onto your nails just like any normal nail polish and we have to say, it definitely hardened Gem's nails. They went from dull and brittle to shiny and strong with just one coat. We're gonna use this a couple more times and see if it strengthens our nails more and more over time. 

We give it a 9/10: It does what it's supposed to do and for a great price (only €1.50!) Can't get much better than that!

Have you tried this product or anything similar? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Palette Reviews

Welcome, welcome peoples. Today we're talking about the eye shadow palettes that we are always talking about, we just cannot get enough of them! 

Sleek I-Divine palettes are amazing, they are super affordable, great quality and brilliantly pigmented. Today we're taking an in-depth look at the Storm palette which you can get from Boots stores and online at SleekMakeup.com for just €9.99

As you probably know, I-Divine come with 12 shades, some shimmery, some matte. Sleek also do quads though if you're not into having so many shades. But personally these palettes are our favourites. 

The Storm palette comes with a range of beige and blue shades with a couple of pinks and a black shade thrown in to ensure you can create a really huge range of different looks. In the palette you get one of those little sponge applicators and this is probably the only time the two of us differ in opinion. The applicator is one of the better quality ones, with a soft sponge texture. Gem prefers to use the applicator to pat the shimmer shades on and Jo prefers to use a brush to smudge them. Usually we recommend people to throw out the sponge applicators, we find them pretty useless, but with Sleek palettes try the applicator out with the shimmer shades before you decide to chuck it. Try a patting technique and try a blending technique, you gotta give everything a go once! 

If we could, we would use every shade in the Storm palette every day. They're all so pretty! However that is not very practical and the result would probably look a little cray cray. 

Nevertheless we shall share with you our favourite looks created with just this palette. First you want to start with a base colour, a light cream colour is perfect. Then to define the eye you can use Calm Before The Storm or Eye Of The Storm, depending on how dark you want the look. Blend your choice of brown into the crease and last 2/3 of your lid and under your bottom lashes a little, to give your eyes depth. Now comes the tricky part, deciding what shade to use, you can go for a soft pink or neutral look or you can add drama with the blues and greens.
Gem loves to use the pinks and would add Perfect Storm to the lid and then use Snow Storm in the inner corner for a brightening effect.
Jo likes to go for a little drama and uses Blackout by blending it into the last 3rd of the lid and then uses Thunderstorm on the lid and Snow Storm in the inner corner.

Have you used this palette? What look would you create?

Until next time, 

Gem and Jo's Irish Pride Guide

We were both born and raised in Ireland, which means that it's pretty much mandatory that we celebrate St Patrick's Day in some shape or fashion. So whether you were born in our fair Isles or you are just a fan of us Paddys and our green country, we are gonna share with you guys some ways to get your pride on this St Patrick's Day.

1.  Wear something green! It really couldn't be simpler. Don't worry you don't have to wear clothing that a leprechaun would be jealous of, just swap some of your staple accessories for some festive green ones. Plus no one wants to be the only person that get's pinched because they aren't wearing green. We love this over sized scarf from Asos and this cross body bag from Parfois. Who says green can't be stylish?

2. Ditch your normal black eyeliner for some green eyeliner. You'll get the same intensity but with a bit more festivity. Too afraid to go all green? Layer some black liquid eyeliner on your top lashes over the green, leaving a bit peaking out. A little less out there but an equally festive look. We love Rimmel London's Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil in Jungle Green for this look. 

     

3. Paint your nails! Who doesn't love getting creative with nail polish. If you're super adventurous you could try painting shamrocks or Irish flags on your nails. For a simpler look just go for a straight up green shade. We love Barry M's Nail Paint in Racing Green for a slightly vampy St Patrick's day look. 

4. Watch an Irish movie. Ireland has produced some great movies from The Commitments to Once. You could even get really into the spirit of things and watch Darby O'Gill And The Little People. If all else fails, throw on P.S. I Love You and have a good ole laugh at Gerard Butler's really terrible Irish accent. For those of you not from Ireland, no one in the country speaks like that at all. 

IMDb

5. Use your cúpla focal. If you're from Ireland, make use of your Irish sayings that you probably haven't uttered since the leaving cert. If you're not a native speaker, try out some of these common Irish phrases that are sure to wow your friends;

Dia Dhuit (deea gwitch) - Hello

Conas atá tú?(kunass a taw two) - How are you?

or the ever so eloquent,

Póg mo thóin (pog mo hone)

6. Take a walk in the Irish country side. We are pretty much famous for our green landscape so what better a time than St Patrick's Day to go out and experience it. 

If you don't live in Ireland, take a look at this picture of a cow, you'll achieve a similar affect. 

What are you doing this St. Patrick's Day? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo React to Game of Thrones: The Red Wedding. [SPOILERS]

So we've never seen an episode of Game of Thrones. Yes, we know, we're late to the game but we just never got around to it! Before this video, we had never seen any, nor understood anything anyone said about GoT, so to entertain you lovely people we decided to watch a random episode from a random season that was recommended to us by our friends who do watch it! This is our reaction: (We advise you to watch with headphones on, there is screaming. Soz.)

Do you watch GoT? Did you like this video, would you like to see more? 

Also to our friends who recommend this episode, we no longer like you. It was horrific. (Also you guys have resulted in Jo being addicted to the show)

Until next time, 

Gem and Jo's Mother's Day Gift Guide - Beauty

We know lots of mammys love to wear makeup and take care of their skin, as they should, mammys can look hot too! So as their offspring we should feel obligated to help them look as pretty as they want. So here are some excellent beauty products to make them feel so beautiful!
If you have a fashion forward lady, check this gift guide!
If you have a mammy who loves lovely things, check this gift guide!

Sleek Makeup:

 

How great is this Sleek gift set? You get all of this stuff for just €26.00! So many mammys would love this as a present for Mother's Day, but who says you have to be given it! Buy it for yourself, we know we would! 

Buy it here (It's a web exclusive unfortunately)

If you don't think your mam would like this whole set then you can pick up a couple of things from Sleek that are great! For example: any of the I-Divine eye shadow palettes!

Oh So Special                                     Au Natural 

L'Occitane. 

L'Occitane's stuff is amazing you guys!! And their Cherry Blossom range is just the most beautiful smelling thing ever. Seriously. This set, which is on sale!, has a whole load of cherry blossom products that mammy is sure to love! 

Buy it here for €52.00 

If you don't think that mother of yours would like so much cherry blossom in her life, there are a ton of gift sets on L'Occitane's website, go check 'em out!

No.7 at Boots.

Have you guys noticed how much we love No.7? Because we really love them you guys, really love them. If you haven't already go check out our review of their matte foundation here. They have some really great makeup sets that would be great for the ole mother! For example, their High Shine Lip Crayon set is amazing and who doesn't love crayons! 

How cute are they? Plus the colours are fantastic and crayons tend to be super moisturising, which means mammy's lips wont be all dry when she's repeatedly kissing you on the cheek! Except then you'll probably be left with lipstick all over your face. Sacrifices have to be made people!

Take a look at the set here

If you are in Boots looking at No.7 for mammy and you don't think she would like any of it, don't forget that Boots do some really lovely gift sets themselves. So make sure to have a bit of a wander around before you settle for something that wouldn't suit your woman. 

Elizabeth Arden

If your mam happens to have a skincare routine down already and doesn't like to change it up, you could always be super sneaky, check out what she uses and then get her some more! Lots of women use Elizabeth Arden skincare, because it is so amazing, but it's also kinda pricey and it kills us to go out and buy some more when we run out. So for Mother's Day, why not save her the hassle! 

Here's a couple of their products that are really popular: 

8 Hour Cream set: $42.00 (An absolute steal cause this stuff is amazing!) 

Get it here

Prevage Anti-Ageing set: $230.00. 

We know this is really, really expensive but this stuff is the créme de la créme of anti-ageing. It was once described to us as the Rolls Royce of Anti-Ageing. So it's pretty good. Any woman who is into makeup and skincare will be very shocked and excited to get this as a present! 

Buy it here

Would your mammy like any of these? Does she have more makeup than you?

Until next time, 

Gem and Jo's Mother Day Gift Guides - Fashion

Y'all ready for this? The countdown to Mother's Day is on and that means you need to get yer butt in gear to find that perfect gift for that woman you love. If she happens to be a mother. We know that there are some mommas out there that are some serious fashionistas and we bet they would be uber grateful for these excellently fabulous gift ideas.
If your mother happens to be more into the mushy/ lovedovey stuff, check out our Lifestyle Gift Guide!

Pandora

Pandora have a gorgeous selection of charms and other little jewellery pieces that would be perfect for Mother's Day. Just make sure your Mam actually has a Pandora bracelet before you get her a charm, that could be awkward. Here's a few of our favourites from their Mother's Day collection:

Buy them Here

A New Handbag:

Women need handbags, it's of the utmost importance to us. So why not treat your mammy to a new one? We've picked out a few from our favourite shops! 

River Island: Cream Large Two in One Tote, €65.00

Buy it Here

New Look: Mink Leather Satchel, £49.99

Buy it here

Parfois: Birdie Tote, €34.95

Buy it here

(Parfois also have stores on Henry Street and in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

 for all you Dublin folk!)

Scarves:

Scarves are also a great little present, either on their own or paired with a cute little purse to make a gift set! Here are a few that would be perfect for your mammy. 

Parfois: Pastel Colour Scarf, €12.99 

Buy it here

River Island: Pink Tartan Blanket Scarf, €20.00 

(Blanket scarves rule!!!)

Buy it here

Parfois: Ocean Drive Pashmina, €14.99

Buy it here

Is your mammy a fashion-forward sasspants? Would get her any of these? 

Until next time, 

*all images are from their respective websites. no copyright was intended.