30 January 2011

Who's That Girl?

Hey everyone,

WOW it's been quite a while since I've been this M.I.A from the blogosphere, right?
I've just needed a little break from it - just as I was getting on a bit of a roll too!
No major reason, just lots of little ones. I'm feeling a lot better now though.

I've been up to quite a lot - and thought you'd like to see some photos? Well, alrighty then!

















1. Me and my friend Sam are a bit low on funds at the minute, so we keep having to think of creative ways to have fun - as such, we've been frequenting our local museums. This is me and some monkeys at the Hancock museum in Newcastle. (My boss from Pride Radio asked "Why are you behind the glass?" when I showed him this picture. Cheeky.)

2. We love meerkats, so we performed a rousing chorus of the Compare The Meerkat jingle to the displeasure of the other patrons.

3. My nickname at school was Carla Koala as 'Koala' "almost rhymes with Carla" (I sometimes wonder how my friends got into the red brick universities...) and I used to carry a koala-shaped backpack. I was that cool, everyone.

4. Last weekend I ventured to London with my friend Megan, and I had a few hours spare to have a spot of lunch with Lauren of Pocket Rocket Fashion. It was nice to chat about Plus London in person! We had mochas, macaroons and the best brownies I've ever had!

5. I *heartttt* Lauren! :DD

6. Me and Megan went to London for the opening preview of The Children's Hour starring Keira Knightley and Elizabeth Moss. Very gloomy plot, but Keira was just wonderful - what else would we have expected, really?

7. I whipped up some fluffy buttermilk pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup, like me and my sister had most mornings when we went to New York. Nom nom nom.

8. There's only six more sleeps until Plus London. I'm sooooo looking forward to it, and love that everyone is getting as excited as I am! :DD


I do love meeting bloggers, as Georgina said on her blog about meetups: "This is one of the best parts of blogging - forget the negative comments, the haters, the weird creepy photoshoppers, having the opportunity to be part of a day like this really makes blogging worthwhile."

There's a few girls who have commented on the events page that they are worried about being shy - and if you're reading this, really don't worry about it!
I've only met a few of the bloggers that will be attending (Lauren, Kat, Steph, Amy and Becky) and there's going to be over SEVENTY of us altogether - so we'll all be in the same boat.

Having said that, me and Lauren will be on the lookout all day for people looking like they're by themselves, so please don't worry!

Also for those attending, I must warn you all I'm not really 'shy' but I'm a bit of an awkward turtle.
Take for example this very accurate interpretation of what happened when I met Lily Melrose:

Teehee!

Anyhoo, I promise I'm going to try my best to get well and truly back on the horse this week.
Yes, by 'horse' I of course mean 'blogging'. I'm a bit scared of horses, actually...they're too big.


Muchos love,
MessyCarla

18 January 2011

All American Girl

Hey everyone,

It's been a lovely sunny week, surprisingly - which is getting me in the mood for spring!
I do love winter, but I'm sick of covering up carefully co-ordinated outfits with coats and scarves.

I'm absolutely loving that pastels are coming back, as I really fell in love with them last year.
But this time around, the look is more refined and 'grown-up' girly rather than lots and lots of florals.

Also last year saw the return of 1980s crop tops and cut offs, but this year is again more old-fashioned and modest with high collared tailoring and longer lengths. Very chic, very 1950s.


I absolutely adore Topshop's collection, but my favourite this year is by ASOS.

Everything is just adorable and I would buy everything if I could.
My favourite peices however are the heart cropped jumper, striped midi skirt and the embroidered flower chiffon dress.


I'm also looking forward to contasting the pretty pastels and beiges with bright lipstick, like postbox reds and deep purples. Yum.

Also, if you're worried about looking too dressed up during the day - you can always sling a varsity-style cardigan over your shoulders. I'm especially loving New Look's range.

I love pastiche looks, and always think it's fun when old fashions come back around.
I also like the return of 1970s boho, but personally I'm a sucker for sharp tailoring.


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

15 January 2011

Outfit Post: A Not-So Rainy Day.

Hey everyone,

I'm so sorry that we're over a fortnight into the new year, and I'm only just posting my first outfit post of 2011!

My sister is studying AS Level Photography and asked me to pose for her as "I can't find anyone else to do it!" Charming.
So we went around the corner to our local park to take some photos:

DRESS: New Look.
COAT: New Look.
NECKLACE: Vintage.
BELT: New Look.
UMBRELLA: Ebay.
SHOES: Primark.
POINT OF FASHION: It's supposed to be raining!

The theme of my sister's project is "Rain" - but as our luck would have it, the only day we were both free was one of the sunniest days we've had in ages!
But that didn't deter us, I just popped on my raincoat and dusted off my favourite umbrella.

1. My shoes ended up covered in mud. Ended up getting a telling off from Italian Catholic Mother for trailing it into the house.

2. I whipped up some yummy cupcakes. This modelling biz is hungry work, I tell thee.

3. I got caught in a big gust of wind and my fringe got ruined. Bah, welcome to the North.


It was a lot of fun, I love impromptu photoshoots - though we got some bewildered looked from dog walkers and mothers pushing prams since I was running around like a madwoman in a pretty dress at noon. All in a day's work.


I have a few things planned this week, including having my picture taken for local photographer Mandy Charlton's 'Dressed Up' project, which she kindly asked me to take part in.
It's going to be a lot of fun - but again I'm going to find myself in a flouncy dress at 10am on a weekday.
I'll have to pop a change of costume in my bag, methinks...


I'm trying not to go far this week though, as next week I'm off to London for the opening night of 'The Children's Hour' starring Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss.
Being such a theatre geek anyway I'm SO excited - but I've never been to an opening night before.
Last time my friend Megan went to one, she said she saw a fair few celebrities, so I'll get spotting!


Also, it's now three weeks until the Plus London meetup.
I'm super super excited to meet lots of you, and we're working like busy bees to make everything run as smoothly as possible as amazingly there's now OVER 70 people attending!


Finally I'll leave you with my favourite photo from yesterday.
(Though if you follow my 365 Days Tumblr you may have seen it already...)


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

12 January 2011

What's In My Makeup Bag...

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry the posts have been a little sparce this week!

For some reason I'm asked quite a lot via email how I do my makeup, especially on my YouTube videos.
I'm flattered, but my makeup is usually quite simple (black eyeliner with a flick and lipstick), and I really don't have a steady hand so I'd be useless at any sort of tutorial.

There's so many fabulous makeup gurus anyway I'd find it a bit pointless.

However I do love talking products, which I don't think comes across a lot in this blog - as again, there are so many fabulous makeup bloggers who are much more clued up than I am.

I thought you might be interested however in checking out my favourite products from my makeup bag:

1. PRIMER: Smashbox.

2. LIQUID FOUNDATION: Illamasqua.

3. PRESSED FOUNDATION: Illamasqua.

4. BLUSH: Illamasqua.

5. EYE MAKEUP: MAC.

6. LIPSTICK: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

7. LIP GLOSS: Stila.

8. LIP BALM: Burt's Bees.

9. NAIL POLISH: Barry M.

10. MASCARA: Urban Decay.

11. EYELINER: Barry M.

12. BRUSHES: The Body Shop.

13. MOISTURISER: Purity.

14. MAKEUP REMOVER: Simple.

Of course I always love trying new things, but these are pretty much my to-go favourite products.

Who are your favourite YouTube makeup gurus/beauty bloggers?

My favourites are What Style Is To Nickel, Lauren Luke, xSparkage, and Funny Face's Place amongst lots more!


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

10 January 2011

Selling Blog.

Hey everyone,

Just a heads-up I've put a lot of lovely new things up on my selling blog.




I ship internationally, so if there's anything you're interested in no matter where you're from - just comment the post directly!

There's lots of dresses going for £10 and under, so grab yourself a bargain.


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

6 January 2011

Pay It Forward 2011

Hey everyone,

This meme that was passed around Livejournal a few years ago has popped up again on my newsfeed on Facebook - the Pay It Forward challenge.

I loved it last time around, so thought I'd resurrect it on my blog, as I do love making things.


(Photo by Brooke Martin)


"Pay It Forward 2011.... I promise to make something handmade for the first five TEN people who comment.

They must in turn post this and make something for the first five who comment.

The rules are it has to be handmade by you, and they must receive it before 2011 ends."


The original post says five - but I thought I'd up my game and make it ten as I do love you guys!
I used to make things and swap via SwapBot for years until I found myself signing up for six or seven swaps as a time, and couldn't keep to the deadlines.

If you'd like to take part:

  • Be one of the first ten to comment.
  • Please leave your email address so I can contact you directly.

Be sure to repost this to your own blog if you do comment, as that's the whole point of Pay It Forward afterall!


PLACES AVAILABLE:
FULL!

1. Katie of What Katie Found.
2. Franceta of Frantic Dreams.
3. Shanis of Tenoli.
4. Rai of Blargle Fargle.
5. Chloe of Fashion Junkie.
6. Nichole of NikStar.
7. Ariana of Fatale Fashion.
8. Duvessa of One of Beauty's Daughters.
9. Anika of Sweet Faced Style.
10. Natasha of The Chic Curve.

Unfortunately I'm all out of places - but do check out the bloggers above, who are also taking part!
If you're in need of a graphic to use for the challenge, Rai has very kindly made one for use!

Muchos Love,
MessyCarla

4 January 2011

Girl Crush: Ke$ha

Hey everyone,

My favourite pop star by a MILE at the minute is Miss Kesha Rose Sebert...aka KE$HA!

Although she constantly makes a show of herself, and always tops 'Worst Dressed' lists I just love her.
A lot of her outfits are based around something very simple like a band t-shirt, with lots of layering and textures - especially glitter, studs, fringe and feathers.

I know it's so easy to write her off as a bit of a sleazebag, and of course her album is autotuned to death, but I really love how she doesn't take herself too seriously - isn't that what pop music is all about?!





Do you have an artist/celebrity figure who is your real guilty pleasure?
Is there somebody who always seems to have a hard time in the press, but you love them anyway?


In other news, this is my first post of the year - hoorah! Happy 2011!
I hope you all had a lovely time whatever you did.
Mine was pretty low key, spent with my family in front of the TV with cocktails and nibbles.

I haven't made many solid resolutions yet - except I've started one of the 365 Days projects over on Tumblr. Please feel free to follow me if you'd like!

Oh and one more thing: if you are intending to come to the London Blogger Meet next month, we're going to need a definite confirmation by TOMORROW on the Facebook event, so we can book the lovely venues.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

1 January 2011

PR, Advertising and Sponsorship


PR, Advertising and Sponsorship.




DROOGETTE is a blog by Carla B, a Media Production graduate and freelance writer from Newcastle, UK.

Regular features include: Outfit Posts, Indie Spotlight, travel posts, wishlists as well as commentary on upcoming trends.

More information can be found on my Frequently Asked Questions page.


STATS:
(Correct as of 02/06/2017)

MONTLY PAGE VIEWS: 19,500+
FOLLOWERS ON GFC: 1940+
FOLLOWERS ON BLOGLOVIN': 940+


ALSO ON:

TWITTER: 1900+ followers
INSTAGRAM: 900+ followers


PR:
I am PR-friendly and jouro-friendly. If you have a product or sample to feature you think would be a good fit please get in touch.


Reviews:
I love working with brands, and in the past have worked with recognisable high street names such as New Look, The Body Shop, Simply Be, Yours, ASOS and Harrods as well as many indie companies and designers.
If you are a brand you feel would work on my blog, I'd love to hear from you!


Competitions:
I love running competitions and giveaways on my blog, which gain upwards of 400+ entries on average.


Sponsored Posts:
I accept sponsorship if it is fitting with the tone of my blog.


Please feel free to drop me an email: carlabenstead @ gmail.com
I love hearing from you!


Muchos love
Carla