28 November 2010

Dear Santa...love MessyCarla!

Hey everyone,

I'm glad you liked the novelties and nifty gifties in my last post.
It was requested in the comments that I do a version for the boy-folk, so I'll see what I can do with that.

I've finally got a decent list together for Santa myself, now!
Here's the letter I'll be flying up the chinmey within the next week or so...


Sighhhhh.

Isn't the jumper FABULOUSSS? So glittery and perfect for the rotten weather we've been having lately.
What with Topshop's funny sizing I had to try this on, and the size 16 is VERY stretchy and generous, so if you like it and are bigger than a 16 do give it a try!

And can you BELIEVE those lovely kitschy shoes are just £10 in the sale down from £45?!
I've even found a matching kissy-lips clutch back on Ebay for £6, so I'll be matching. (AND NOT TACKY AT ALL...right?)

I also haven't tried Sugarpill yet but I've heard so many good things about them I'm trying their loose powders in Goldilux (shown) and also Stella, which is black with lots of sparkle.


Also, Santa is being very kind and delivering a present EARLY this year...

My favourite band in the world, The Vines are releasing their new single Gimme Love (I need to stop singing this in the style of 'Gimme More...') in a few weeks.

It's their first single in well over two years, so you can guess I'm REALLY excited.
I love the shaggy-haired Australian rockers so much!



Love love loveeee.


Finallement, I'm now an Ambassador for the lovely makeup brand Eyeko!
If you spend over £15/€18/$20 at http://www.eyeko.com/ you get a free gift.
Simply use my code E12760 to claim online!

Since Eyeko can be a little difficult to find instores, this would perhaps be a great opportunity to get some of their lovely unique items for gifts?



Somebody has already used my code (thank you, thank you!) and so I have some little gifties heading my way too - so it's win win, really!
(I'll of course show you what I get when it arrives - I'm excited!)


Oh, and before I forget - I'm very sorry for the lack of Outfit Posts at the minute!

Because of the afformentioned bad weather, my outfits have pretty much been the same, and you guys don't want to see the same thing over and over again right?

However, I'm going to be doing some more videos soon, now that my sister has found her camera charger.
I re-dyed my hair red over the weekend, and it's much more vibrant so I'll be doing a video about how I did it, including products - so consider it an updated version of this post.

Also, I'm going to be doing the 30 Days challenge that a lot of bloggers have been doing lately, where a different question is answered every day.
Since we're nearing the end of November I figured I'd so this as vlog-style beginning December 1st and finishing December 30th.

I'll be posting the videos on here too, but if you'd like to subscribe to my YouTube channel, please do - so you don't miss anything!
If there's anything else you'd like to see in a video, please let me know.
As always, I love hearing your suggestions.

Phew, sorry if this entry has been a bit word heavy!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.


25 November 2010

Christmas Presents: The Best of the NOVELTIES!

Hey everyone,

It's November 25th...officially one month until Christmas is here!
I've been feeling very festive this year, surprisingly!

I'm usually a bit of a bah humbug - especially as my S.A.D gets me a bit gloomy.
But funnily enough it hasn't seemed to effect me very much this year, so hoorah!

I've also been super-organised this year. Annoyingly so, you could say.
I have most of my presents in (I've also had three birthdays to buy for as well!), as well as the wrapping and my cards.

And while I love buying Christmas presents, as for me it's an excuse to go shopping - there's always that ONE person in your life who it's difficult to buy for as they seem to have everything!
They have plenty of clothes, jewellery, makeup etc.

And when you ask them to give you a ballpark on what to buy, they just reply: "Anything!" Hmmph!

So for these special people you move on to something very special that comes but once a year...the novelty present!
And it doesn't all have to be cheap tat - you can definitely get something quite cute if you do some looking.

Here's my top novelty picks:


*EDIT: The itsKitch toast press is actually only £3! WHOOPS!

I have SUCH a soft spot for silly things like these - but I like that you can put most of them to regular use!

There is one thing I've neglected this Christmas however...my own presents!
I've spent November fussing about what I'm going to get other people, when Italian Catholic Mother asked what I wanted, I struck a blank!

We went Christmas shopping yesterday evening however, and picked out lots of lovely stuff - but I'll save that for my next post!


I love this picture of my sister (notice her new lip peircing?) and I.C.M laden with shopping bags full of goodies.

Nadia picked out a fabulous scarf from River Island, a cosy dressing gown from Dorothy Perkins and a Cath Kidson bag.
I think she's getting a lot of books this year too.

How about you guys?
Do you think you're easy to buy for, or have your friends got to drag you late night shopping and make you point out what you want?
As always, I love hearing from you - so do let me know!

I hope all you Americano-types had a wonderful Thanksgiving - I've always wanted to be in the USA during Thanksgiving as I've already been there for 4th July.
Hmm...one year one of you will have to invite me around for some turkey and pumpkin pie, yes? Heehee.

It's always nice to say something we're thankful for.
I'm thankful for my lovely family, and my best friends Daniel and Sam.

Also for everyone who reads this blog, and your constant support.
You lot are the best cheerleading squad in the world!
*knuckle-bumps you all*


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.


PS:
UK folk - bloody stupid snow, am I right? Bah!
PPS: I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured.

19 November 2010

MessyCarla and the Deathly Hallows.

Hey everyone,

Well, Potterweek is finally here!
Co-inciding with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows me and my friend Natalie went to a Harry Potter quiz at the Tyneside Cinema earlier on in the week, and this is what I wore:

DRESS: Vintage.
CARDIGAN: Dorothy Perkins.
SCARF: Handmade.
NECKLACE: Dorothy Perkins.
BELT: New Look.
TIGHTS: Dorothy Perkins.
BOOTS: Fenwicks.
POINT OF FASHION: Hufflepuff.

This isn't the best picture of me in the whole wide world, because it was dark, drizzly, windy and I was in a hurry to meet Natalie. But I've just got to show off my lovely Hufflepuff scarf.

My mam (aka: Italian Catholic Mother) knitted it for me a few years ago, but it's so soft and cosy it's perfect for the winter. And great for showing Badger Pride!

The quiz was so much fun - I loved the geeky team names everybody had chosen: The Quidditch Queens, The Weasleys, S.P.E.W, God Hates Hufflepuffs (I booed them!), The Chudley Cannons...yeah, Harry Potter fans really are a different breed of people aren't we?

Themed cocktails were also served.
I had Infusion of Gurdyroot, which was vodka, Midori, Blue Curacao and cranberry juice:



Yummmmmm!


Natalie had a Felix Felicis (vodka, butterscotch liquer and lemonade), and a Gillywater (vodka, creme de menthe, creme de cacao, butterscotch and milk) but neither of us were brave enough to try Firewhisky (bourbon and tabasco sauce).
Completely alcohol-free versions were available too, which was a nice touch.

We came sixth out of fifteen teams, which I don't think was too bad seeing as neither of us has read the books in about a year, and there was only the two of us!


I'm actually not long back from seeing the new film.
I've already tweeted a few of my thoughts, but if you'd like to read my two cents, just highlight the white text below.
(Yes, there are spoilers - and apologies if my thoughts are a bit scrabbled, I've only been back from the screening a few hours and wanted to get everything down before I forget.)

I solomnly swear I am up to no good...

Visually, it’s a gorgeous film – the cinematography of lonely beaches and abandoned forests are bleak, but stunning and reflect the mood of the characters.

The Ministry of Magic scenes are fantastic – and are the crux (or should that be HORcrux? Oh shut up, Carla.) of the action scenes which unlike the others films are far between.

You can tell most of the action scenes were originally prepared for 3D, notably the chase scene with ‘the seven Potters’, and with Nagini the snake, so I found these do fall a little flat – especially in comparison to the rollercoaster-esque opening scenes of The Half Blood Prince.

I also adored the animated scene, with the Tale of the Three Brothers being told shadow puppet style.

Out of all the films, for me it’s one which follows the book pretty much gospel.
But as such, lots of characters are introduced at once, which could be pretty difficult to follow if you haven’t read the books. For example, the characters of Gregorovitch and Grindleward are not explained very well, nor why Bathilda Bagshot turns into a snake.

Unlike the other films, I like that they keep the little scenes in – such as in the ambush in the Muggle cafĂ©, which I suppose is one of the perks of the story being sliced in half.
As in the books, it’s a constant reminder than nowhere is safe – even the Muggle world is well and truly infiltrated.

All being said, I am glad there are two parts, as the cliff-hanger at the end is a brilliant choice (rumours were it was originally going to end when the trio are captured by the Snatchers), and it does pull you in for Part Two.
It just makes me wonder if people who aren’t completely entranced by the Potterworld will be able to remember all the little pointers that link to the bigger story.

The film does try to pick up repeatedly in the middle – but it doesn’t quite live up to the excitement at the start.
Rupert Grint does supply some comic timing, which is well received after long drawn out shots of Harry looking pensive into the distance.

Deathly Hallows was always going to be a difficult one to make into a movie, as it’s very character driven, and there are large portions of the book where nothing much happens.
This is pretty difficult to transfer to screen, and I could definitely hear fidgeting from kids (I went to the 5pm showing) all the way through.

I mentioned on Twitter that I thought the whole thing was a bit of an anti-climax, and this quote from the Guardian pretty much sums up my thoughts: “Deathly Hallows looks great, in the way that a show home looks great.”
...Mischief managed!

I would like to point out as well, that I was sat beside two utter cretins who ate massive packets of popcorn and chewed so loud I felt like I was sharing an aisle with Mr Ed.
So I’d like to dedicate my surly mood while watching the film, to them. Hmmph!




So how many of you guys here are Potternuts?
Have you stayed with Harry until the very end...or is it well and truly time for Hogwarts to close the doors to their hallowed halls?


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

PS: Oh, and for you local lovelies - there's another quiz on at the Tyneside Cinema tomorrow at 2pm especially for children and families. Check the website for more details.

13 November 2010

Indie Spotlight: Crown & Glory

Hey everyone,

It's Indie Spotlight time, again!

Meet the lovely Sophie from whimsical accessories line, Crown & Glory:

"My name is Sophie King and I am a 22 year old Photographic Art graduate from the University of Wales, Newport. I currently reside in rainy Cornwall with my boyfriend and cat, Little Boots.

Crown and Glory is run as a hobby from my 6ft square spare bedroom.
At the moment I am undertaking internships in marketing and promotions to enable me to apply for work with galleries and arts organisations.

I strongly believe in the value of arts education and love learning. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, though! Aside from that, I'm all about cats, cooking and marathon shopping."



And I just had to quiz her about her designs...

1. What inspires you to make your creations?

It might sound a little self-obsessed, but I only ever make pieces that I would wear myself. I was originally inspired to start Crown and Glory due to an apathy with hair accessories available on the high street; I wanted something different so started making butterfly headbands!
Keeping in with these themes I'm also heavily inspired by nature and keep an eye on the trends, too; though again, only ones I personally like! You won't be seeing a shearling headband any time soon.


2. What is your best selling item and why do you think this is?

The Daisy Duke's headband is the best selling item, and I think it's because it's fairly cheap (£4), unique and quirky. It suits all ages as well; I've had orders for 3 year olds and 30 year olds!


3. I love the Avada Kedavra Bobby Pin Set - and right on time for the last Harry Potter film being released! Are you planning any more Potter-related peices?

Thankyou! I'm such a huge Harry Potter fan I couldn't let the release date pass without making something! It's another testimony to the fact that I only make things I'll wear myself...I made these to wear to the screening, and figured I'd put them online to see if anyone else wanted them! If they sell, then that's great. No plans to make any more yet, but I never say never!


4. What more can we expect from Crown & Glory?

I'm hoping Crown and Glory will carry on growing from strength to strength; the success it has had in the last six months has been quite overwhelming, really!
Hopefully I can find a way of doing that whilst still keeping my passion for the brand and products alive. I would love to be stocked in some independent retailers, and plan to investigate the best way to make that possible!
As far as products go, I'm looking forward to adding some edgier pieces to the Moonlight Constellation Collection, and making some more floral crowns in the spring.

5. Where else on the internet do you live?

Blog.
Twitter.
Facebook.
Tumblr.

Sophie was kind enough to send me a peice to review, and I chose the Antoinette Floral Comb, as I thought it would look great with my red hair:



I LOVE it.
I already miss wearing flowers in my hair from Summer, but the twirly vines keep it very Autumnal!


Believe me, it was SO hard having to pick just one peice - here are my other favourites:

I love how all the prices are very recession-proof, yet reasonable for the quality of the peices. And best of all, you lovely folk can all get 15% off if you use the code MESSYCARLA until the end of December.
So if you're in need some lovely, original stocking fillers, I suggest you take advantage of this!


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.



PS: Be sure to check out the previous posts in the Indie Spotlight Series, and support your independent designers!


Also, me and Daniel are back on Pride Radio tomorrow 2pm-4pm GMT.
Tune in at
http://www.prideradio.co.uk for X Factor snark (and warm up for the eviction show!), celebrity banter and some fantastic pop music!

11 November 2010

'Tis the Season to PARTY!

Hey everyone,

As the holiday party season is creeping up on us, with lots of dates for work functions and reunions being penciled in diaries everywhere - I hit the shops looking for some fabulous party dresses!

My go-to place for fabulous dresses has always been Dorothy Perkins. I just find the cuts fit me very well, and I was very impressed with their stuff online. So here's some changing room pictures:

1: The 'TOO-SHORT' dress.

To give Dorothy Perkins their due, this is advertised as a 'tunic' and on the website is paired with some skinny jeans and heels.
But I don't really do jeans (especially not on a night out!) so I tried this on as a dress, and it would be SO cute if it was just a few inches longer. I know I'm a Geordie, but even we have boundaries...
Oh, and this is also available in cream.


2: The fugly/cute dress.



(CLICK)

When I saw this on the hanger I had to try it on, because it looked rather hideous. But the joke was on me, as when I popped it over my head...I really liked it!
Don't judge on the horrendous picture - I didn't know how to show you the fabulous sleeves any other way.

This is so not my usual style, but I decided to branch out and bought it.
I promise to post a much more flattering photo soon, with it all styled up.

(EDIT: I later returned this, just changed my mind! :))

3: The ONE! aka: The sparkly Christmas dress.



I love sparkle and shimmer at Christmas, so fell in love with this dress at once! It's very flattering, and I love the massive sleeves. Last year I was all about statement shoulders, this year is statement sleeves.

When I showed Italian Catholic Mother, she thinks it's "a bit too short" - but I think it's just right in proportion to my height. An inch or two longer and it may have looked a little frumpy.

So what are you guys going to be wearing over the party period?


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

(PS: I'm in no way affiliated with Dorothy Perkins - I just love their stuff!)

8 November 2010

OUTFIT POST: Panda Girl!

Hey everyone,

Finallement! It's been aaaaages since I've done a proper Outfit Post.
I was a bit off a few weeks ago, and this week I caught a cold after coming back from London.

Anyhoo, on to the post:


IMMA REAL PANDA!!!


COAT:
River Island.
SHORTS: Dorothy Perkins.
HAT: River Island.
SCARF: Vivienne Westwood.
MITTENS: Accessorize.
TIGHTS: Asda.
SHOES: Primark.
POINT OF FASHION: Cosy Panda Girl!

I know, I know everybody and their next door neighbour has a silly hat from River Island.
But I got mine last year, and one of my first posts was about it so I still do love it muchly!

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already seen me wearing this get-up, and looking rather bundled.

I was on my way to a fireworks display at South Shields beach, which is freezing cold even in Summer. So because I'm just getting better now, I really had to wrap up warm.

I'm also hiding my nose (well, the septum) as I'm still having a bit of Rudolph action going on there. Hmph!

I came downstairs after getting ready, and my dad said "Bloody hell, Captain Scott wore less than he went to the Antartica. Also, you're wearing that silly hat again?"
Personally, I think dad is just jealous he doesn't have a panda hat.




Finally, this is my FAVOURITE advert at the minute.
When it came on during Saturday night's X Factor (which I found incredibly dull - anybody else think so?) I couldn't stop laughing!




"NO! NOT COWS - I'M LACTOSE INTOLERANT!!"


I want that little guy's action figure now - can't wait to see my mam's face when I ask for one as a stocking filler. She'll think I've finally lost the plot.

The description on the website is so funny too: "When he is angry, he is really angry. He'll stamp his feet and roar at others, but no-one pays him any attention." Awwww!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

EDIT: I can't BELIEVE I almost forgot to tell you guys - me and Daniel are back on the radio this Sunday!



We first began presenting on Pride Radio for a few weeks over the summer to co-incide with Northern Pride. But the station now has a permanent home (snuggled in the middle of the gay scene) which we're all so excited about!

So we're back a little earlier than last time, on SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2pm-4pm GMT.
I'll post some reminders on here and Twitter, so please tune in if you can.
There's going to be fabulous pop music, pre-X Factor eviction banter and our regular celebrity snark.

Also, please give the website a clicky-clicky, and also my darling friend/co-presenter Daniel's blog Silly Old Daniel Says...

5 November 2010

Movember

Hey everyone,

If you don't know, November is the month for the boys!
International Men's Day is on November 19th, and according to the website, this objectives of the day are:

  • To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.
  • To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.
  • To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
  • To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
  • To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
  • To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.

Doesn't sound to shabby does it?

Co-inciding with this is the Movember event, where moustaches are grown throughout the month to raise funds and awareness for men's health issues (however in the UK, Movember specifically focuses on Prostate Cancer awareness).


According to the website's statistics, men are less likely to visit their doctor - mostly because of embarassment.
But the logic is by having something humourous like a moustache as a catalyst, this will get the boys talking about their bits!

Now as a girl, I am unable to grow a moustache (*hides pot of Veet behind back*), there's got to be another way I can show my support, right? Right!


For every Makia Movember item sold, 20% will be donated to the charity - so get your dad's/brother's/boyfriend's/husband's etc's Christmas presents sorted!

You can check out other charity items for sale on the official Movember website, including moustache combs and slippers.


In other news - I hope all my fellow British lovelies have something nice planned for Bonfire Night, tonight. Whatever you do, please stay safe!

This is one of my favourite holidays, and I do find it rather sad that it's celebrated a lot less than the very Americanised Halloween (which I do love too!).
Wrap yourself up warm and go down to an organised fireworks display (check your local paper).

Be sure to bring some treats such as soup, treacle toffee and honeycomb. Nom nom nom.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

3 November 2010

Yours Blogger Event

Hey everyone,

Monday was the blogger event for Yours.

To be perfectly honest, I didn't know much about them previously as there aren't any Yours stores up North, but I was honoured to be asked to attend - especially as most of my favourite plus-sized bloggers were attending.



Walking the catwalk, you can see on the website.
Check out my MOAR MODEL THAN THOU pose...

The day was very informal, and it was interesting hearing about why we all started blogging as we all have different stories, different sizes and different styles.

They took us for a tour of the headquarters in Peterborough (so I also got to meet up with my friend Adam who I haven't seen since graduation - you can see him in my last post, dressed as a dragon...) and showed us the new collection, even letting us try on whatever we wanted.

We were like kids in a candy shop, sauntering around in faux fur coats, glittery shrugs and party gowns.
Georgina took loads of lovely pictures and did a waaaay better write-up than me, so give her a clicky-clicky.

So many, many thanks to Yours for a lovely day out.
And be sure to check out the other girls, all of whom are adorable:

Devon from Fat Nurse. (She also did the organising to KUDOS, chica!)
Lauren from Pocket Rocket Fashion.
Steph (my fellow Northerner!) from Buttons, Bows and Brogues.
Kat from Plus Size Beauty.
Georgina from Cupcake's Clothes.

I stayed over at Lauren's in Essex (innit!) and we had some girly chat, ate pizza and watched stupid YouTube videos (we're both addicted to memes).

This one with James Franco parodying his own Gucci by Gucci commericial especially had me actually crying with laughter.
I wish you could directly embed the video - boooooo!

Finallement, to cure my post-London blues, I recieved my giveaway prize from The Nearsighted Owl, which is an uber-cute vintage trinket holder shaped like a owl.

I'm going to keep my collection of rings in there, as I haven't had anywhere nice to keep them until now.


SO CUUUUUTE!

Thank you so much for the lovely prize, Rachele!
Be sure to check out her blog too, as I just love her style.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.