NO SPEND FEBRUARY

Since becoming a blogger, I tend to do a lot more 'window shopping' for blogspiration. Those who know me best, know I am a devout shopaholic. I see something I like...I buy it. Not the best of combinations.With the Plus London  meet up coming up this weekend, I have gone into shopping overdrive looking for the perfect outfit (I will no doubt end up wearing something old from my closet though)!

As it's January 31st, I've decided it's a great time to have a no spend February. If things go well, I may even decide to have a no spend March...wishful thinking eh?!

Who's going to join me in my venture in to the unknown? Let's utilise our wardrobes and rock our vintage (circa 2009) outfits. The 70's is back, let's all go raid our parents' closets!.....

....or maybe not! Love you mum!

GIVEAWAY

I've been contemplating a giveaway for a long time and since my recent nails post where I tested out the new cracked effect with OPI Shatter, I've decided to give away a brand spanking new bottle of Barry M Instant Nail effects to one lucky reader so you can recreate the look yourself.

There are 3 ways you can win, so you can have 3 times the chance of winning! The rules are simple:

• If you aren't already doing so, please add me to your Google Friend Connect (on the right hand side of the blog) and post a comment here saying you have done so.

• Post a message on twitter about the giveaway being sure to @melandtrolley and post a comment back here to say you have done so.

• Link to mel&trolley on your blog and post a comment back here for another chance to win.

Please make sure for every way you enter you post a message back here to guarantee your entry in to the comp. 

Along with the awesome nail polish, I will also be slipping in a few extra goodies!

Winners will be drawn on Sunday 6th February. This giveaway is open to all worldwide.

OOTD

Today I wore my new mac which I got at Next. I'm not a huge fan of next, I used to find their clothes overpriced for the quality but maybe I was just unlucky? I've been searching for a mac/trench coat for a good few weeks now. I bought one a couple of years back which I have never worn and now it is really tight on me! So I specifically have been looking for one in a camel/beige colour with brown/dark buttons. It wasn't as easy as I thought until I stumbled across this one on the Next website. I had to have it! Macs are one of those things that look equally good dressed up as dressed down so I think it will be getting a lot of use this spring!

Mac/Trench coat: Next (UK Size 22)

Burnt Orange/Terracota Tee: ASOS (UK Size 18)

Plaid Shirt: Dorothy Perkins (UK Size 20)

Aubergine Mini: Marks & Spencer (UK Size 22)

Black leggings: Decathlon (UK Size 2XL)

Ruched Leather Boots: New Look (UK Size 9)

Keep your eyes peeled kids, I have an AWESOME giveaway coming up!

HALF INCH NAILS

I love my nails. Sorry let me rephrase...I LOVED my nails. In recent weeks though, they have become weak, limp, lifeless...much like Cheryl Coles hair. I've been using Sally Hansens *finger quotes* Miracle Nail thickener:

I believe in miracles but this miracle was a HUUUUUGE overstatement. My nails are still weak, peeling and I have hangnails a-go-go. On the plus side, I've just been over to their website where they now have a "Nail clinic". Apparently I now need to fork out on a whole load of other stuff...miracles can happen guys!!

On to better nail news...theres a new fad in town! OPI call it Shatter, Barry M call it Instant Nail Effects, I call it wherehaveyoubeenmywholelifeexpealidocious. I'm not exaggerating when I say it is AMAZING! Check it...

Here are the results, as modelled by my stubby, chubby fingers. You basically wear a base colour, in my case I am wearing what I think is called "not like the movies" by OPI with OPI shatter on top. It creates an almost leopard spot/tiger strip effect. I'm thinking with orange and yellow polish underneath, this will look even better. It's doing a great job at distracting from the fact my nails are a mess at the moment!

PLUS LONDON 2011

I am so excited to be going to Plus London 2011. I was so late on the bandwagon that I was worried there may be no space left for my plus one and I but WE ARE GOING and I am so excited to meet all the other fatshionistas!

There will be so many cool sponsors there including TORRID!! Woooohoooo! I looooove going to Torrid when I visit my family in the States. As you can tell, I am superly duperly excited!

Hmm.....now....what to wear???

OOTD

This OOTD is dedicated to the de-lovely Deena over at Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes Too. This pink blouse is the one I bought after Christmas. It's one of the only few things I kept from my haul. I got also had to have it in black too. I think it looks great apart from the boots which are slightly too vintage looking (aka dirty).

Pink Blouse: ASOS (UK Size 22)

Black Camisol: New Look (UK Size 18)

Black Treggings: Evans (UK Size 20)

Black Boots: Faith (UK Size 9)

I feel like I'm chanelling my mum in this pic (I'm the little one with the cheeky look on my face):

WISH TROLLEY

1. Animal Peg Leg Trousers: Evans £27

2. Coral Flower Brooch: Dorothy Perkins £7.50

3. Stud & Buckle Pixie Boot: Evans £39.50

4. Multi Stripe Tee: Dorothy Perkins £19.50

5. Katharine Hamnett World Peace Now Tee: Style369.com £20

6. Gathered Waistband Dress: ASOS Curve £30

7. Cheesecloth Halter Maxi Dress: ASOS Curve £30

OOTD

Navy Wool Jacket with Toggles: Old Navy (US Size XXL)

Oatmeal/Navy Striped top: New Look (UK Size 22)

Oatmeal Vest: Primark (UK Size 18)

Jeggings: Dorothy Perkins (Maternity) (UK Size 20)

Red Glitter Converse (UK Size 8)

Red Leather Bag: ASOS

Here's a wintery, nautical little number. You are reading correctly. I AM wearing maternity Jeggings, just like I sometimes wear maternity vest tops. I am not a mother to a human (only 2 gorgeous Guinea Pigs) or have ever even been pregnant. Here's the thing...maternity jeggings are identical to 'normal' jeggings. There is no fabric panel for a bump...BUT the difference is, there is more room in the front and back whilst still being close hugging on the leg! They are perfect for apple shapes, or those with a little extra junk in the trunk like myself. With Maternity vest tops they are longer. I love long vests and find them hard to come by. I like them quite tight fitting so I can wear all my short tops that would look funky worn alone over the vest. You can even colour coordinate like I have in this OOTD the tops so they look like they're just meant to be that way.

Seriously guys, don't be afraid to go down the maternity range route. We live in the digital age of online shopping. There should be no shame!

OOTD

Here's another super casual OOTD I took at my sisters place. This is typically the kind of thing I would usually wear. I try to make more of an effort nowadays. I would love for pyjamas to become the 'thing' to wear, kind of like how skinny jeans have been in fashion for ages, as well as leggings so I could be super comfortable all day every day. Maybe I should do POTN (Pyjamas Of The Night) posts also? I have some cool PJs!

Grey Rabbit Tee: ASOS (UK Size 18)

Peg Leg Jeans: ASOS (UK Size 22)

Blue Wrap Cardigan: ASOS (UK Size 18)

Trainers/Sneakers: Nike (Mid Blazer) (UK Size 8.5)

Black Leather Bag: ASOS

Hmmmm, I do wear a lot of ASOS. I need to work for them. I wonder how much discount they get??? That would be my idea of heaven.

As promised, I changed bags and wore my hair down. I really don't like how it looks at the moment. It's naturally wavy and as I'm trying to grow it out I don't want to straighten it. My theory is, if I straighten it, it will somehow damage my hair and will not grow as fast. I used to have beautiful long hair. What possessed me to chop it off one day!? I think I must've been channelling Britney Spears. Laughing aside, I seriously, get urges to reinvent my 'look' at least once a month. 

OOTD

Here's this weekends Outfit Of The Day: 

Grey Cardigan: H&M (UK Size XL)

Camel/Reddish Brown tank: Dorothy Pekins (UK Size 20)

Denim Mini Skirt: South (Very) (UK Size 22)

Black Stirrup Leggings: No Boundaries (Wallmart) (US Size XL)

Tan Ankle Boots: Evans (UK Size 8)

Yellow Leather Satchel: ASOS

Theres something about this outfit I really like. I think it's probably the camel/brown colour tank I'm wearing against the denim. It also felt awesome rocking a denim mini skirt (even if it did feel like I was getting funny looks). I think it's a great casual weekend outfit. I keep meaning to change bags (don't you just hate bag changes!?) as my sister bought me a 'bagmate' for Christmas which basically keeps the contents of your bag organised so you can just lift the contents of your bag out from one into another in one go. I promise it will be changed for my next OOTD!

I also promise to sort my hair out! I have issues with my hair at the moment. Too many DIY cuts have gone wrong in the past so I had my hair cut in to an asymmetric bob last year and now it's growing out it looks a bit funky! Oh and then I cut my own fringe/bangs which went completely wrong and I ended up looking like a child that wouldn't sit still for the hairdresser! So I'm growing that out too but it's got to a point where it either needs a trim or I need to pin it back and grow it out. In the next few weeks I will begin looking like cousin It.

Hi there! My name is Mel and I'm in the process of growing out my DIY hair cut!

Thoughts on my hair issue would be much appreciated. To bang or not to bang? That is the question!

Just a quick reminder, there is still 1 spot left for the 2011 Pay It Forward. Click here for more info.

OOTD

Wow, I look really p'd off in this photo! That's what happens when I get my mum to take a picture! I could do with a personal photographer!

Yellow Ribbed Tank: Very (UK Size 20)

Black Leather Jacket: ASOS (UK Size 22)

Black Mini Skirt: Florence & Fred @ Tescos (UK Size 20)

Black Leggings: ASOS (UK Size 20)

Black & Gold Elasticated Wide Belt: Dorothy Perkins (XL)

Yellow Leather Satchel: ASOS

Black Boots: Uggs

Floral Scarf: ASOS

ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT FOR PAY IT FORWARD 2011

Click here and follow the instructions to receive something amazing handmade by me!

BIG BEAUTYFUL MESS GIVEAWAY

Big Beautyful Mess is doing a fantastic Torrid giveaway where you can win one of 4 great prizes. Head over there for more details on how to enter!

JASIFERS LIONS CLUB GIVEAWAY

The ever lovely Jennifer over at JASIFERlionsclub is holding another great giveaway to win some cute earrings from ALDO.

Go enter her giveaway for your chance to win!

PAY IT FORWARD 2011

After seeing this all over the web I have decided to participate in Pay it Forward 2011. I have joined JASIFERlionsclub's Pay It Forward. I'm looking forward to seeing what she will make me! Rules are as follows:

"I promise to make something handmade for the first five people who comment. 

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

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

So let's do this people. I have a good idea about what I want to make already!

1 SPOT LEFT FOR SOMETHING AWESOME MADE BY ME!

WISH TROLLEY

1. ASOS: CURVE Pretty Tea Dress - £32

2. Evans: Engraved Skull Ring - £8.50

3.Dorothy Perkins: Grey Vintage Satin Tee - £26

4. Dorothy Perkins: Tan Open Stitch Cardigan - £32

5. Dorothy Perkins: Coral Swallow Pussybow Blouse - £24.50

6. Evans: Buckle Detail Ankle Boots - £45

7. ASOS CURVE Printed Tea Dress - £35

OOTD

Black Leather Jacket: ASOS (UK Size 22)

Dress: ASOS (UKSize 20)

Black Leggings: Decathlon (UK Size 1XL)

Black Leather Boots: Faith (UK Size 9)

Yellow Leather Bag: ASOS

OOTD

Leather Biker Jacket: ASOS (UK Size 22)

Denim Shirt: Dorothy Perkins (UK Size 22)

Black ribbed tank: Dorothy Perkns (UK Size 20)

Black Stirrup Leggings: Matalan / Papaya (UK Size 18)

Yellow Leather Satchel: ASOS 

Brown Ankle Boots: Evans (UK Size 8 E)

LIPSTICK GIVEAWAY

The beautiful Jennifer over at JASIFERlionsclub is giving away two hot shades of lipsticks. Just follow her and comment with your email address.

MADE

I have just stumbled upon one of the best sites I have discovered in a loooooong time and I had to share it with you all. Check out MADE they have all sorts of cool furniture and other awesome stuff like this AH-MAY-ZING bike! I NEED IT! NOW!

IT'S £169!!! Can you believe how cheap?! 

Go check out their website for lots of other bargains!

BURIED UNDER THE COVERS

As i've been nicely tucked up in the warmth this holiday season, I've been watching lots of films and documentaries. Thought I would give some quick reviews on a few:

BURIED is the story of Paul a U.S contractor sent to Iraq to drive trucks. He is captured by insurgents and buried in a coffin underground with nothing more than a mobile phone, pen, lighter and a hip flask. We see him struggle to find a way out to prevent his impending death.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting from this film. I thought it was going to be a horror. Horrifying it was, but this movie was captivating and heart-wrenching. Ryan Reynolds is the star of the show, and throughout the whole film we are with him and only him in his small coffin. I thought he did a great job with this movie, but I don't think he was the best actor for the job. I'm used to seeing Ryan Reynolds in comedies so I found it hard to take him seriously as a family man. Don't let this put you off though. He does play the role exceptionally well.

I give this a mel&trolley rating of  ★★★★☆ 4/5

THE COVE is a documentary which exposes the slaughtering of Dolphins in Taijii, Japan. Ric O'Barry (of Flipper fame) leads the film, and a set of filmakers as they try to expose the fishemen responsible for the slaughtering of dolphins at 'the cove'.

This film was extremely moving and disturbing. It's amazing that something so horrific as the killings of these dolphins is happening every day and the governments around the world do nothing. I would urge you to watch this film. It's an enlightening and beautifully shot film and I feel I should use this blog to create awareness of the great work of the Earth Island Institute. Show your support here.

mel&trolley rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

DEAR ZACHARY is the most moving film/documentary you will ever watch. Its a film by the best friend of a murdered man. He made the film to document the life of his best friend whose son Zachary who was born after his father was murdered. The film takes lots of twists and turns. I won't say too much about the film as it's important you all watch it not knowing too much. Seriously, this film is so touching and left both my sister and I gobsmacked.

mel&trolley rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

POOR ME

Ugh...I'm ill. Have had the flu/cold mixed with a chest infection and allergies/hay fever. Poor me. New Years was celebrated with my mum and sister at home. I couldn't even have a stiff drink because I'm on antibiotics. So bummed. I still got glammed up for the occasions and we let off Chinese lanterns outside with our 2011 wishes in mind.

Tried to get some OOTD pics but wasn't really feeling up to posing. My sister managed to grab a couple but I haven't been able to get them off her yet.

So how about so product reviews??...here goes:

GEL EYELINER: I've been a long time lover of liquid eyeliner (Gotta love a cateye!) and after seeing my sis use gel eyeliner for a while, I decided to try it myself....I. ADORE. IT! It's smudgeproof, waterproof, the colour is intense and it is all round great! I went for a pricey one I saw on ASOS for the variety of shades. It's by a brand called New CID (yes I'd never heard of them either)

i - gel

Long Wear Gel Eye Liner Trio with Brush

£21.50

My sister has been using Bobbi Browns eyeliner gel which she is really happy with. Here is a picture of us wearing our gel liners: