Outfit Post: Eccentric.

Hey everyone,

Another outfit I wore on a shopping trip:

DRESS: Primark.
CARDIGAN: Forever 21.
SCARF: Vintage.
EARRINGS: River Island.
BELT: New Look.
BAG: River Island. (See what's inside in this video!)
TIGHTS: ASOS.
SHOES: Primark.
POINT OF FASHION: English Eccentric.

My fashion sense can be a little zany, but I've been pulling it back lately.
But the last Outfit Post was a little out-there (than usual) with the white tights, so I'm doing to do some more mix and matching.

It is a little all over the place, and next time I'll probably wear plain black tights.
But I think I look a little like an eccentric - and if it's one thing we English do well, it's eccentricity.

I think this school-of-thought carried on to my shopping trip.
It's mid-season sale time, which means the shops get full of old summer junk that nobody really wants. (PLEASE, no more cutesy floral dresses!)


So instead of finding stuff I'd usually go for, I thought I'd be adventurous and try some new things, including this rather hilarious get-up from Topshop:

I look like a potato! BAWWWW!
And LOL at my tights I didn't bother to take off...

I look about twice the size of myself - especially about the middle I look like I'm wearing a nappy. The dark tan leather jacket is lovely, though, but I didn't buy it.

I reckon it would look cute on someone slimmer and taller than myself? Hmm.

So it was a pretty unsuccessful shopping trip, but c'est la vie.
I can't wait for all the Autumn/Winter stock to all come in instead of having to rummage through rails of pastels and frills and chintz from summer.

Bring on the woolies and sparkles!


In other news, my tweetheart Miss Jessica wrote on her Twitter last night, my hero (and incidentally her brother) Craig Nicholls from The Vines joined The Smashing Pumpkins on stage to sing Get Free.
My mind is officially blown. I hope videos emerge on YouTube soon!

EDIT: A video has emerged! Eeiiiiiiii!



Finally, if you are so inclined, feel free to follow my blog with BlogLovin.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

PS: Just so there is no confusion - I didn't mean that only tall and slim people could wear the playsuit. I only meant that I don't think it suits me, personally. (Similar to how maxi dresses look amazing on some curvalicious and skinnyminnie girls alike, but I don't think they don't suit me). Just so nobody gets upset! :) xxxx

Shake Your FunnyBones!

Hey everyone,

One of my faaaaavourite holidays is almost upon us...Halloween!

I have to admit I'm not as excited as I was last year, where I went to a big house party hosted by some fellow Media students. Who, by the way, take Halloween EXTREMELY seriously.

Everyone had either made their own outfits!, or hired them from a shop which provides films and tv shows with their costumes.
The front room had a few of the lads who run the local dubstep night playing the decks, and it was a great atmosphere.

But this year, I haven't really got anything special planned.
That doesn't mean that I can't enjoy the spooky peices in the shops at the moment:

I of course named this set after my favourite books as a child, FunnyBones, which also spawned a cute TV show narrated by Griff Rhys Jones:

"In a dark, dark town there was a dark, dark street..."

This is just a short post, as I have a few planned coming up to Halloween - promise!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

Newcastle Vintage Fair: 10/10/10

Hey everyone,

Yesterday, I went along to Judy's Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair as mentioned in my last post.

First things first, here's what I wore:

DRESS: Primark (via Ebay).
CARDIGAN: Forever 21.
BELT: River Island (from a playsuit).
NECKLACE: Vintage.
TIGHTS: Dorothy Perkins.
SHOES: Primark.
POINT OF FASHION: Autumn pastels.

I bought this dress from Ebay last week for only £4 including shipping which was a right little bargain.

I have NO idea why it is so low cut - it's not really decent for anyone to wear that low without a vest underneath, but I have a few plain black ones so it's not too much problem.

It's also my first time wearing that cardigan since I bought it in New York back in June.
I just adore it, but haven't been able to find something exact to go with it, but I love how it compliments the blue dress.

Also, I LOVE white tights - they're such a welcome change from my regular black.

Notice anything different about the picture?
Yep, this picture was taking with my brand spanking new DSLR which I am in lurrrrve with.
It was so frustrating to have a lovely new camera and nothing interesting to take pictures of for the first few days.

So I snapped away at the fair, and here's some more photos:

The ever lovely Jayne of The Libertarian, one of my favourite independent designers.
(You can check out my review by clicking here)
I love that she took down her "No Photographs Please!" sign so I could take this picture, teehee.


Me and Sam trying on empty frames.
We look a bit like Blanche Hunt and Deirdre Barlow.
Sam's wearing a dress made by a local fashion student at (my alma mater) Newcastle College.


My friend Neale in his new Criminal Damage jacket.


I was so pleased to see Rosie who I met whilst working together at the Vintage Kilo Fair.
She was in charge of handstamping, and was wearing a beautiful floaty maxi dress from the 1970s.

And finallement, what I bought:

The dresses were two for £15 from Retro Rehab and the scarf was £3 from Princes Vintage.
If you buy anything from Princes Vintage Ebay store, use the code NEWCASTLE to get 10% off your order.

Sorry that you can't see the clothes properly, but I'm saving them for Outfit Posts, where you'll be able to see them all dressed up.

Unfortunately I was unable to make it to Made In Newcastle's last day, as originally intended, as I wanted to catch up with my friend Poppy (who has a great blog called Bears and Bunting) as we haven't seen each other in aaaaages.

Apologies if these took a little while longer to load, I've started using PNG files instead of JPEG for quality.
I'm just experimenting with them at the moment from post to post - but please let me know!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

PS: I almost forgot to mention - the reason I'm putting my blog address on the outfit photos is because lately I've found my pictures being used on plus-sized fashion Tumblrs.
Which I don't really have a problem with, except that 50% of the time there is no link back this blog. xoxo

Local Events - Sunday 10th October.

Hey everyone,

I know there's a lot of lovely North East lovelies who read this blog, and I just wanted to give you a heads up about two events happening this Sunday:

Sunday is Made In Newcastle's last day of trading.

I've mentioned them a few times on this blog, from their collective work as the Newcastle Craft Mafia at The Cluny to opening for business full time as a pop-up shop in the City Centre.

Shops like MIN are so important and refreshing, especially in a city like Newcastle where we can be a bit short on independent retailers (Notable exceptions are Maverick, Electrik Sheep and our many vintage shops) especially ones which stock local designers and artists.

Sadly, their short term license is up and the landlords have found a "commercial tennant" (rumours are it's going to be another generic shop selling tacky Christmas decorations...like we need anymore!) so tomorrow is a bittersweet goodbye.

Pop along between 12-5pm for some nibbles and a 'yard sale' to raise money for their next venture.

Also happening on Sunday is the another Judy's Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair.

I don't think I've missed one of these yet in Newcastle, and have attended two in Leeds.
They're the best for having amazing offers for vintage clothes, which can have their prices jacked right up in shops.
There's also a 'tea room' with cupcakes and other baked goods, and stalls by local independent designers (such as one of my favourites, The Libertarian).

Even if you're not from the North East, check out the website to see if there is an event happening soon where you live.
They now trade in 18 UK cities, so there is bound to be one reasonably close by.

I would however like to point how that I won't be tucking into delicious cupcakes at the fair, since I'm now on a healthy-eating-and-lots-of-exercise kick.

I told Daniel I'm doing 30mins-1 hour of aerobics a day and he responded with "WHY?!! I couldn't think of anything worse!" He has a point.

Luckily I still have my Pump It Up Dancemix DVD which is the BEST WORKOUT VIDEO EVERRRR.
(And works, if you don't lose too much water by crying with laughter...)

God, I love Gareth the choreographer .
'Dancemix 1' is the best - "Say NO NO NO to your man! Alright come here! Flick that hair and pose for the paparazzi!" I'm not even joking.

Heh.
Anyway yeah. No cupcakes for me - just a delicious Kellogs Fibre Plus bar.
Because that's the same. *le sigh* At least it has chocolate on it.

Anyyyyway, folk usually attend dressed up in their best attire, so there is lot of people watching to be had even if you're a bit broke like me.

So there you go - if you see me at either of these PLEASE say hello! I promise I'm dead nice.
I lurveee meeting you people! :)

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

OUTFIT POST: Polka Dot Coat.

Hey everyone,

This is my first Outfit Post in aaaaages.
Truth be told, I haven't been feeling my most attractive lately.
Not because of anything really in particular personally, so I'm going to blame the Autumn.

Although I adore the season in so many ways, it also sets off my Seasonal Affective Disorder which is causing me to sleep loads and feel groggy and gross the next day...so I sleep more.

Ahh well.
Yesterday me and my mummeh went shopping together for the first time in ages, and this is what I wore:

DRESS: Can't remember.
COAT: Monsoon (Fusion range).
BAG: River Island.
PIN: Vivienne Westwood.
SUNGLASSES: Dorothy Perkins.
TIGHTS: Dorothy Perkins.
SHOES: Primark.
POINT OF FASHION: Old school glamour.


With my hair pinned back (don't worry, loves - I haven't had it chopped off!), the double breasted coat and sunnies I did feel like an old movie star.
If a movie star was a bit chubby and had silly red hair and an emo fringe, right? Teehee.

So yeah, we went shopping for a DSLR camera, and I kept in mind all your great recommendations (thanks, Tweethearts!)

I finally picked out a Nikkon d3000 (*is showered in boos and hisses from Team Canon*) which is lovely and should be delivered today or tomorrow. So the photos are going to be - hopefully - a lot better quality from now on.

I was supposed to be saving this for Christmas, but since the screen on my compact camera broke I had to bring this forward.
So bearing this in mind, my parents are paying half, and I'm paying half!



Loooooooves it!
*Snappy snappy*

Also if I'm perfectly honest - I don't really know what I'm doing with a DSLR.
I took a black and white photography class in my first year of university, and I was bloody useless. (Plus my class was full of hipsters)

It was such a relief to get back to the TV Studio cameras, radio flash microphones and editing suites!
I'm such a digital-age child, I blame my excessive internet use from the tender age of 12.

But yeah, it should be fun to try and get the hang of.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

NOTE: Gahhhh this post wasn't finished, but I must have sent it to publish by mistake!
Oh well. Apologies if it feels shorter than usual - that's why! :)

What's In My Bag?

Hey everyone,

Somebody requested that I do a more talky-talky video, since my last two are silent picture-style.

I've attempting to do this What's In My Bag video for aaaages now - but I've finally loaned my sister's camera which has a rather good movie function on (*steals*) and it's now live! Yeyyy!

This is the most comfortable I've felt so far in a video (I blame my years as a TV, film and Radio production student for this...), so hoorah for progress!

Apologies if any of you struggle with my accent.
I'm from a town inbetween Newcastle and South Shields so my accent can be a little thick at times. But I like to pretend I am Cheryl Cole whyyy ayeeee.

Haha, so I hope you enjoy the video - if you have any requests for other videos (or even just something else you'd like to see on the blog) please please let me know.
I do take all your views on board, and I'd love to hear about what you'd like to see here!

If you'd like to subscribe to my YouTube channel, please feel free.
Although I will post most of my videos on here - there's just bits and bobs on there that haven't made it to the blog (such as one of the TV projects I did at university).

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

SHOE LOVE: Irregular Choice

Hey everyone,

I treated myself to a pair of lovely new shoes a little while ago, and have just got around to photographing them now.

*hums Land of Hope and Glory...*

I've adored Irregular Choice ever since my friend Marie turned up to a party wearing a pair of their shoes with a tape measure design, and just couldn't resist this kitchy union jack design!

They're also available in a traditional blue design (which is of course the real colour scheme of the union jack) but I thought I'd look a little too much like Ginger Spice circa 1997.

Best. Soles. EVER.
Although I've only walked around the house in these, and they're already a bit scuffed - so I don't think they'll last long like this. *sadface*

Even the insoles are luxuriously padded with a cosy flocked material, which will definitely keep my toes warm during the winter.
Also, the design on the website showed the inside material to be pink, but I really prefer the rich turquoise!

Oh, Irregular Choice! Even your packaging is bloody adorable!
(The box was also filled with yellow tissue paper with a red heart design)

I'm actually not the sort of girl who bothers a lot with shoes - I have a lot of different pairs of pumps, but only a few heels - two of which are just plain black.

So it's lovely to have something a little bit out there on a heel - especially if I'm wearing quite a plain block colour.

I got these at the online store Aspire Style, whose customer service is second to none.
I originally ordered a dress from them, but it was too small (Damn you, Cupcake Week! *shakes fist*) and they exchanged it for these shoes with absolutely no problemo.

I mentioned my blog, and they've even provided a voucher for you all to use on their store - and they do ship internationally!
So when you are at the checkout, please use the code MESSY to recieve 10% off your order.

My friend Georgina (who is a regular to the Oxford store) has this gorgeous overnight bag with a travel design which I've been lusting over ever since. *le sigh*

I hope you're all good in your hoods.

I was originally planning to do a video/post this week all about lipstick, but the universe has decided to bestow upon me the gift of a coldsore this week. And believe me, you don't want a close up of it - yuck yuck yuck.

I'm getting paid this week FINALLY, so I treated myself to a few Eyeko nail polishes and an eyeliner from the ASOS sale.
I can't wait for them to arrive!

I'm also scheduling myself in for a hair appointment sometime this week.
I'm having to wear my hair pinned back much all the time now, as my it's so out of shape (like me) and full of split-ends - so that's why there haven't been a lot of pictures of me, lately!

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.

Shopping With Chris

Hey everyone,

Last week, my lovely hairdresser Chris asked me to take him shopping for an outfit he could wear to the Toni & Guy awards in a few weeks.
It's in London, and there's going to be a fashion show, so he wanted to look smart but on trend.

So I steered him away from his beloved sweatpants ("But they're my safe clothes!") and proposed a look not too far away from my last (on-topic) post, but an obviously masculinised version.

And this is what we came out with:

I think we did quite well, considering I don't usually have a lot of guy friends to shop with!
I felt a bit like Amanda in Ugly Betty when she suddenly declares she's a stylist...




Hmmm...maybe not? ;)

We were originally going to go with a more traditional dress pant, but since Chris is quite casual, I picked out these very dark denim jeans instead which can always be brought out for clubbing.
The shirt is also quite casual compared to a lot of the ones from Topman, but the bow-tie and braces will instantly smarten it up.

It was definitely a lot of fun.
I thought it would be a bit of an awkward turtle situation, since the only time we see each other he's pointing a very sharp pair of scissors at my hair while I glare at him. But it was ace!

Afterwards we grabbed some munch, then went for a drink and had such a laugh.
He told me some horror stories from his job, which is one of the many, many reasons I think they should bring back The Salon.

"You're not going to put this on the blog are you?"
"No, not at all!"

In other news, my poor compact Lumix has been on the blink for a while now and the little screen on the back finally packed in.
I was going to get a DSLR for Christmas anyway, but I might have to be naughty and bring this forward out of my savings. Grrr.

Thanks for all your suggestions on Twitter, though - you were all very helpful with your recommendations and I at least have somewhere to start when it comes to models. A lot of it I think is down to personal preference, so I'll have to get myself down to Jessops this week and see for myself.


Finally, in light of the tragic events that have been happening lately in the LGBT community, could you please check out Dan Savage's 'It Gets Better' campaign.
Also if you are a Twitter user, please use the hash tag #itgetsbetter to keep this topic trending and spread the word about this worthy cause.

This is a project very close to my heart, and the tragic events of late really shouldn't have any cause to happen.

Muchos love,
MessyCarla.