Indie Spotlight: Fatally Feminine Designs

Hey everyone,

It's been a little while since I've done an Indie Spotlight post, but something I'm extremely passionate about is supporting independent designers - and I've completely fallen in love with Aubree's beautiful confectionary-inspired designs.

This is my pick of the extensive menu of goodies available via FatallyFeminineDesigns.com and Etsy:

Nom nom nommm!

Everything is now available in both charm and necklace form for an extra $2.
I was also lucky enough to be sent this gorgeous cupcake necklace to review:

Absolutely gorgeous, no?
Exquisite attention to detail, and good enough to eat! Nom nom nom.
It comes with a delicate silver or gold chain, with an adorable pink bow - and presented in a pink box tied with ribbon for no extra cost!

Remember that most items have many options in terms of colours - pick your own flavours and sprinkles, just like in real life.
How fun?

I just had to ask Miss Aubree all about her delicious boutique:

1. What is the main inspiration behind your peices?
Many things inspire me but the main thing that has always inspired me has been the idea of bringing those little things from your childhood that you cherished into adulthood in a new and fun way. I love the whimsy and carelessness of being a child. I use inspirations from my toys and childhood room to make jewelry that is sweet, overly girly and unique.


2. Seeing as most of your peices have the theme of confectionary - are you a good cook/baker too?
As much as my work is ALL about food, I really don't cook or bake too much. My boyfriend is always cooking for me; he's so sweet! But I actually really like baking. Whenever my friends have birthdays or my boyfriend has one I make a cake or cupcakes. I would love to bake more, but constantly find myself on a diet.


3. What are your favourite peices in the collection?
I have three top favorites. I really love my Homemade Cupcake Charms for their realistic look. These charms are custom, meaning you get to choose your flavors and toppings. Mine is the ultra girly combo of pink pink pink, with sprinkles and cherry on top! I also love my fancy Cake pendants like the Pink Strawberry Cake and Rose Lavender Cake. My last favorite would have to be my Boba Tea Charms for their originality and cuteness. Plus they seem to be a customer favorite, and I love anything my customers love!


4. Are you ever inspired by savoury items in your jewelry or is it sweets all the way?
My heart is definitely in the bakery. I think sweets are eye-candy and fun to make! Lately I have been thinking about adding savory items to my collection, which is something I might do in the future. I always like making new things.


5. Although you already have an extensive collection - what new items are you planning for the future?
I think one of my faults is always wanting to make something new. I get bored making one thing for too long. I love Alice in Wonderland and am developing new charms and pendants inspired by the animated movie and novel. I am also planning on releasing a new line called "Completely Custom Confections" within the next month which will consist of finished charm jewelry that can be designed by you!



So be sure to check out Fatally Feminine Designs. They're online via:
FatallyFeminineDesigns.com
Etsy.com/FatallyFeminine
FFD Blog
Facebook

If you're an indie designer and would like to be featured here, please get in touch!
I'd love to hear from you.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

Simply Be - 2nd Review!

Hey everyone,

People who have been reading this blog for a while now may remember when the lovely lovelies at Simply Be were kind enough to send me some clothes to try?

Well they kindly asked me to review some of the new items in their summer collection!

The first item I chose was this gorgeous summer tunic by Joe Brown.
It's a very lightweight material - which would be perfect for both out-and-about, or the beach. It's definately suitable for you to quickly whip on top of your bathing suit.

It has a lovely elasticated waist and as always with Simply Be, they are very generous sizes.

The only problem I have with it, that the photo doesn't really show are the straps.
They're placed a little too close together for my liking - I like them to cover my bra straps. However they are adjustable at the back, so you can make them more comfortable!

I don't know how I could alter them myself, so I'm just covering them up with my lovely denim jacket (from Matalan with a Heidi Seeker pin). A cardigan or my denim shirt would work well too!

They also sent me this lovely top (and hello - the bingo wings are back! Ding-dong!) :

It's quite a nice fit - very roomy again on the tummy. I love the position of the straps as they cover my bra (I wish the dress was like this!) and they're adjustable too.

Just for me - I prefer my tops a little lower cut than this in the summer (Hey, I'm a Geordie! It gives me a right to flash my 'girls' about!) but it's still uber-cute and very feminine.
Again, this goes lovely with a jacket, cardigan or shirt!

But two absolutely adorable items for my summer wardrobe!
Be sure to check them out - Simply Be are a great company which is branching out to the USA pretty soon which is exciting.
Their sizes range from 14 to 32 - so there's something for every shape.

I have a few more reviews to catch up on this week - from a lovely local company who make the most exquisite fascinators, to an adorable clay jewellery company - and also some titbits from the lushies at Lush and the beauties from The Body Shop!

Stay tuned, folks!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

DISCLAIMER: Post in collaboration with Simply Be. However all opinions are my own. 

Outfit Post: Nadia!

Hey everyone,

Bit of a different outfit post today!
No it's not me with hair extentions, lipsuction and stretched an extra five inches.
It's my sister Nadia, who's just gone off to her prom.

DRESS: Coast.
CLUTCH BAG: New Look.
NECKLACE: Jon Richard.
EARRINGS: Jon Richard.
SHOES: Red Herring.

I absolutely LOVE her look - it's definately still chic, but with a kooky edge.
Too cute. I'm seriously the proudest sister in the world right now!

Her friends all looked fabulous too:

Maria, Sarah, Emma, Cheyenne, Nadia, Claire and Eleanor.

I never had a prom, which is why I think I'm so excited!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

Outfit Post: Sunshine & Floral!

Hey everyone,

Ding-dong, ding-dong! What time is it?
It's Bingo-Wings-O'-Clock!

DRESS: Topshop, £32.
TREGGINGS: New Look, £18.
NECKLACE: Topshop, £8.
SUNGLASSES: Dorothy Perkins, £12.
SHOES: Primark, £5.
POINT OF FASHION: Sunshine!

Me and my mam nipped out for some fast food (McDonalds is sooo good every once in a while!) so I just whipped on this simple little outfit.
I got that dress last year in Topshop, and paid over-the-odds for something which unfortunately, Primark is now selling various (albiet much cheaper made) knock offs in all different colours. Oh well!

I also got my bingo wings out for the fight time this year! Hoorah! It was just too hot for my denim shirt or even a thin cardi.

Notice I'm a bit tantastic?
I've been trying out Ann Summers' Sexy Skin gradual tanning lotion (note: some of their website is NSFW) since I got a free bottle in my goodie bag, and the girls at the event were all raving about it.
It's a lovely consistancy, has a mild scent and my arms feel so moisturised.

I love a bit of fake tan in the summer, not only because it's nice not to be the pale-pink-skinned at least once a year, but I also have mild Keratosis Pilaris on my arms - and it's ace for covering it up! Bye-bye chicken skin.

I'll do a proper review of it when I've done a few more applications though.

Tomorrow is my little sister's Year 11 prom, and her outfit is ADORABLE.
So you're getting a very special outfit post tomorrow! Teehee.

It's so lovely not being at uni anymore - extra love to Daniel for letting me mooch around his house the other night.
I made Cosmopolitans and we watched Britney Spears' appauling movie 'Crossroads'.
Then we ripped the music channels to bits, as it's what we do best.
He's also managed to get me to love Ke$ha's (hehe my friend Lorna calls her 'Keh-dollar-ah!') song Your Love Is My Drug.
It's such a lovely summer pop song, and the video is too cute!

Daniel letting me out the front door in the morning in his dressing gown was too funny. In another universe it might have looked a bit shady.
"Ooh what will the neighbours say?" Daniel asked.
What indeed.

So what are your favourite summer anthems, everyone?

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

PS: Your responses to my previous entry about cashiers was absolutely brilliant - I LOVE hearing your views! Thank you, thank you! xxxx

Ann Summers Autumn/Winter Event!

[Please be aware that all links to the Ann Summers website may contain NSFW content. However this blog entry is fine - except for a picture of a very beautiful bra! - C]

Hey everyone,

As some of you may or may not know, I'm a brand ambassador for Ann Summers.
They're a wonderful company to work with, especially as a blogger - as they always tell me to be honest in my reviews, and to write whatever I think about the product, whether it be good or bad.

They were also kind enough to invite me to their press event to launch their Autumn/Winter collections.
This is pretty big news within the fashion world within the next few weeks, with places like New Look also having theirs.

I also invited one of my favourite bloggers, Lillian, as my plus-one.
She's priliminary a beauty blogger (with fabulous OOTD posts dotted around too), and seeing as the event were also hosting complimentary proceedures such as blow dries, manicures, makeovers and eyelash extensions I thought her a rather perfect candidate.

First of all - I love London. It's always an exciting place for me to visit.
But LOOK what greeted me when I got off the platform at King's Cross:

The Hogwarts Express!!

I am a massive Harry Potter fan, so I actually squealed with excitement.
It was just so magical, and it even went *choo choo*.
There were also Hogwarts suitcases piled up which I imagine were filled with quills, parchment, schoolbooks and rememberals.

The theme was 'Hollywood Scandal' and the peices are inspired by bygone eras and backstage glamour.
Given that the event was at the Palace Theatre (currently hosting Priscilla Queen of the Desert) it was very appropriate as it all felt very luxurious. And of course, camp!

Included were lingerie sets in Argyle print, candy-striped corsets, a pink sparkly plunge bra (which reminded me of something a trapeeze artist would wear!) and lots of vintage-y frills everywhere!

This bra was my favourite:

I think it's absolutely beautiful! And it was apparently inspired by the bra that Lady Gaga was wearing whilst clubbing in London, which is really cool!

As for beauty treatments, I got a fabulous makeover by the lovelies at The Dolls House, and I was given big silver glittery eyes and bright red lips.
Utterly utterly over the top, which I just loved. (Although I got some funny looks on my train journey home)

There was a massive waiting list for the eyelash extensions, but I was dead cheeky and hopped on when there was nobody around. Teehee.

They're never something I would have really considered before, but I was curious as to whether I'd be given a false-lash effect.
But actually, they are very realistic, and just elongate my lashes, making them look naturally longer!

(Apologies for the scary close-up. I look like I'm auditioning for the Big Brother eye!)

Whilst I was being pampered, Lillian had her very first manicure:

How cute, please?

There was also a bar with a choice of free cocktails, which were absolutely delicious - and ordinarily a £10 each, so we had a good few (Woo Woos and Rasberry Mojitos) and ended up a bit giggly.

Afterwards we went to a wonderful ice-cream place that Lillian knew, which sold some of the most fabulous dishes I've ever seen. Some of the ice cream was even shaped like spaghetti and fried eggs!
Totally eccentric, like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

But I went for a (fairly) traditional ice cream based on Ferraro Rocher chocolates:

Nom nom nom.


Lillian's ice cream was based on After Eight mint chocolates.

Movement after that quantity of ice cream was difficult, but I managed to shuffle over for a photo:

"I look like I have no eyebrows - like Bowie!" - Lillian.
(You can see some of my glitter makeup here!)

Then we said our goodbyes as I was going to meet my friend Michael, as he also happened to be in London (on an exciting top-secret mission. But I'll tell you guys as soon as I get the green light!).
But next time I'm around we're going partying - hoorah!

Because my day was so full (me and Michael went shopping in Shephard's Bush and went to a fantastic sushi place) I didn't get a proper chance to have a look in my goodie bag until I was on my train home.
In short, Ann Summers make the BEST goodie bags EVER!

Stockings, nipple tassels, fake tan, eyelashes, eye glitter/stars and moisturiser.
What more does a girl need in life, really?

I must admit I cracked up laughing when I pulled out the nipple tassels on a packed train.
I think I gave the grumpy old businessman sitting next to me a bit of a fright!

So thank you to Ann Summers for inviting me for a wonderful day, and to Lillian for being her sweet and charming self - be sure to check out her blog if you haven't already!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

I Love Lushae!

Hey everyone,

I was lucky enough to be sent this beautiful ring by Lushae Jewelry to review!

Out of their gorgeous range, I chose the white gold Vintage promise ring - which is actually a set of two detatchable rings in one.
One being a classic jewelled band, and the other is a Chanel-cut.

I absolutely adore sparkly rings, they just look so glamourous.
I'm never going to be able to afford real diamonds (not on my current wage, anyway!) of this magnitude, they're a wonderful substitute which are shiny and glisten in the light.

They have a lovely range of rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings in white and yellow gold, and they're very reasonable prices for how intricate the designs are.

Stephanie from Buttons, Bows & Brogues was also sent a peice, and she chose this fabulous Vivienne Westwood-esque ring from the collection! Ooh!

So be sure to check them out at JewelryArtDesigns.com.

I'll be blogging about my London trip tomorrow (well, technically today!), but I've been bedbound since coming home with a horrible stomach bug - so I'll be picking up the pace when I'm back to full health.

I'm trying to get back on track for Sunday which is the A Night At The Musicals fundraiser at The Bank bar, to raise money for Northern Pride in Newcastle.
If you're local, please consider coming down for a sing-song, and general campery with the drag queens. I can't wait!
(Plus you'll be able to have a dance with me and Daniel which is, frankly, priceless!)

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

PS: Today, I also got an rejection letter for a writing job I applied to.
It was for an American website, but they said they loved my work which is quite brilliant as I was up against qualified journalists - so I'm not too downheartened! Try, try again.

Do You Double Denim?

Hey everyone,

I know the trend's been making a comeback for about a year now, but I finally broke down yesterday and embraced my love for double denim:

DRESS: Topshop, £10.
JEGGINGS: New Look, £18.
SHIRT: New Look, £18.
BELT: New Look, £2.
NECKLACE: Lady Luck Rules OK, £3.
WATCH: D&G, £Birthday present.
BAG: River Island, £20.
SHOES: Primark, £5.
POINT OF FASHION: Denim and pink.

So many wonderful things in the world come in doubles - double discounts, double cream, double entendres (especially when me and Daniel are around!)...

I know, I know. Double denim is like Marmite - you either love it or hate it!
I think it's because so many of us have traumatic memories from childhood, am I right?

Example:

AAAARGHHHH!

Granted I was only about 12, when things like fashion shouldn't really matter.
But COME ON, now!
There really is nothing flattering about this is there?
FIRST RULE OF DOUBLE DENIM: Wear different shades of denim!

This picture is proof.
I practically look like I'm in a denim body suit - if it wasn't for those awful AWFUL trousers, which look like the lovechild of jeggings and harem pants.

But I think with the right outfit, it can look pretty cute at the moment - I don't think it's a trend that's going to last very long, though. So stock up on cheap and cheerful peices for the summer!

So how about you guys?

Do you dare to double denim this summer? Reckon it can look chic in it's own way?
or
Do you think it's had it's time, and the entire nation is looking like a Dexy's Midnight Runners tribute act?

Let me know what you think?


Muchos love,
MessyCarla.


PS: Coming up soon are reviews from Lush, Simply Be, Lushae Jewelry and a haul post from the shopping spree I went on yesterday!

To Be Beside The Seaside...

Hey everyone,

To quote the wonderful Carrie Bradshaw: "I am a bonafide city gal."
However, I am completely in love with seaside towns!

I love the smell of candy floss, toffee apples, ice cream, fish n' chips and the salty sea air.
It just envoke so many childhood memories for me.
And my closest seaside town is South Shields.

South Shields is NOT a big city.
But yes, there's lots of things to do including a thriving nightlife, funfair that hasn't changed in 25+ years (my American friend Jessica couldn't stop laughing when she visited, as it's called 'The Pleasure Park' which does sound a bit rude!), marine park and more.

In recent years, it's even produced an X Factor winner in the form of Joe McElderry (who lives across the road from my friend Claire) and YouTube's biggest success story, Lauren Luke.

My Grandma (second left) with her sisters, neices and nephews at South Shields beach sometime in the late 1940s.
I'm going to do a proper post soon about the Italian side of my family, as they're a fascinating bunch and a BIG inspiration for me.

It's been a very stressful week for me at university - with my dissertation playback and feedback, essays, evaluations and a TV show to be finished for yesterday.
So yes, I am officially finished university! HOORAH!
I am also completely burned out.

It was even worse that this week has given us some gorgeous weather.
The UK doesn't get a lot of hot days even in summertime, and I love how happier it seems to make people.

I needed a day off, so I got in touch with my old friend Claire and we went to the coast for some much needed time away from word counts and the Harvard Referencing System.
It was wonderful - we had a fair few pints of ice cold beer, sat in the sunshine, ate some lovely pub food (peppered steak and chips from The Crabshack) and watched the surfer boys.

I've also had a few of you ask me what my staples are for holiday clothing in general - and the seaside always inspires me!
So ask and you shall recieve:

SMOCK: River Island, £29.99.
SHORTS: Dorothy Perkins, £22.
CARDIGAN: New Look, £20.
BAG: Accessorize, £40.
HAT: Accessorize, £20.
SUNGLASSES: River Island, £12.99.
SANDALS: Office, £45.

Also for your holidays you'll need a gorgeous swimsuit - but like everything, you have to accessorize! Ann Summers sent me these beautiful cover-ups AGES ago, but I was waiting until the weather warmed up to talk about them:

Both are £25 and can be bought instore, or online.

Apologies for the stock photos - I couldn't photograph them properly, and I'm not quite brave enough to pose in my swimsuit myself.
But they are completely fabulous - I didn't even know Ann Summers did beachware, but they have a wonderful collection, from bikinis to one-peices and everything in between.
The collection goes up to a size 18 - and they're very generous sizing. I got a 'Large' kaftan (left) and it's very roomy - great for the beach!

They've also been sweet enough to invite me to their press event in London this Wednesday.
They're showcasing their Autumn/Winter collections, and also giving makeovers, manicures, blow drys and eyelash extention.

So I'm really looking forward to it - and hopefully one of my favourite bloggers Lillian Low is coming as my plus one!
Amazingly, my friend Michael is also going to be in London on the same day so we're hopefully going for a delicious meal on the evening.

I know this is already a huge entry - but I HAVE to tell you about the gorgeous card shop Spotted Bikini.
I found these randomly, and completely fell in love with the nostalgic and charming prints!

TOO CUTE! All cards are £2.20, and prints are slightly more.
Get in touch with the girls at SpottedBikini.com!

Right if you made it to the end of this BUMPER ISSUE (Remember when you were a kid and all the magazines would have a 'SUMMER BUMPER SPECIAL'? - This is kind of like that) you really do deserve a medal.

This week is going to be super-fun - not only with London, but at the end of the week mine and Daniel's favourite bar 'The Bank', is hosting a musicals night.
All the drag queens are going to be singing classics from the shows, and it's going to be BRILLIANT!

My little sister also finished school today! It was her last day in mandatory education - so congratulations to her, and all the Year 11s around the country.
She's celebrating by going to the beach, then she's off to a gig. Sounds ace!

How about you guys - what are your plans for the summer?

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.