Shoe Dazzle UK

I got so excited this evening when I stumbled across ShoeDazzle! which is a new online shoe retailer- but not just any retailer. You take a fun quiz and get a personalised selection of shoes, boots and accessories. It's quite complicated to explain, but if you're familiar with Glossybox, it's a similar concept, after your first shoe order (which you also get 20% off of) you will be sent personalised recommendations from ShoeDazzle! stylists, and can get a new pair of shoes every month for the flat rate fee of £39.95 or if nothing takes your fancy, you can skip a month and won't be charged. 

I can't wait to see what the stylists get back to me with! Have any of you ever used ShoeDazzle! before? What are your thoughts?

MY HOMBRE...OMBRÉ

So as you know after months of debate and lusting after the hair of Rachel Bilson, Alexa Chung, Drew Barrymore etc etc I took the plunge and went ombre!

I considered doing a tutorial post but to be honest, I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out so didn't want to jinx myself before I'd even started. I didn't expect to spend sooooooooooo long acheiving my look but I'm pretty happy with the results considering I did the whole thing myself...yes, me, myself and I.

For those of you interested here's my mini step-by-step guide of how I acheived the look:

1. I started off with my natural hair colour- I haven't dyed my hair in about 2 or 3 years so it was completely natural (greys and all!) and in very good condition.

2. (Day 1) I started off with a light brown colour to test the water. I used Clairol's new Nice'N Easy colour blend foam in 6 (Light Brown).
This step was pointless as the difference in colour was too subtle. If you're going for a subtle look then try this out.

*To apply the colour: 
- I started by tying my fringe/bangs in to a mini bun so I didn't get any dye on it.


- Next I parted my hair in the middle all the way down the back so I ended up with a piggy tail on each side. 


- Next I applied the colour to the bottom 3 or 4 inches of hair and left for around 5-10 minutes to let the colour take more effect on the ends.


- Then I applied more dye further up and more to the ends.


- I kept repeating the above step till I got to about the top of my ears.


-I then added a few streaks (about 3 chunky streaks per side) randomly with the highest point being an inch or so above the top of my ears.


- I left the colour to develop until I could notice a difference in colour (first time round I was over cautious) which was around 20-25 mins.


- I washed the hair dye out and applied the conditioner enclosed, rinsed after 5 minutes and let my hair dry naturally.


3. (Day 2): I repeated exactly the same steps above (to apply colour) but this time used Nice'N Easy permanent hair colour in SB1 (Natural Light Summer Blonde). This time I was a little extra cautious over the time I left it as the colour got a lot lighter this time. The chicken in me took it off after about 15 mins. The result was not as light as I would have liked due to washing it out prematurely.

4. (Day 3) Again I repeated the above steps but this time used Garnier Nutrisse Blonde pre-lightener. This is where the magic happened but it left my hair completely fried! This is when I started thinking I'd made a huge mistake so quickly went out and bought intensive conditioners! The colour at this stage was very orange and not particularly nice. I prefer a more ash colour in my hair so I bought MORE dye.

5. (Day 4) Annnnnd again, I repeated the above steps, this time using Belle Color 9.1 (Light Ash Blonde). I used the conditioner enclosed and a hefty dollop of Tresemme Colour Revitalise Treatment Masque. This is the last dye I put on my hair and thank God my hair was saved. After rinsing the conditioner, it no longer felt like hay.

6. (Day 5) I was still slightly unhappy with the brassiness in the colour so bought some John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Shampoo and hair mousse. This stuff is ace. It's already began to get rid of the brassiness after 2 washes! I now follow every wash with the Tresemme masque and leave it in 5-10mins.

(Products used)

So there you have it. I'm waiting on some toner I bought on Ebay to get rid of more of the orange tones so I'll wait and see how it changes the colour. I'm quite happy with the results but think the top of my hair could be a bit darker. Hmmmm.....

WISH TROLLEY

In the Evans wish trolley this week:

1. Beige Sling Back Wedges - Evans £25

2. Bright Floral Bangle - Evans £12.50

3. Black Gusset Heeled Courts - Evans £35

4. Lovedrobe Lace Trim Checked Shirt - Evans £32

5. Fan Printed Dress Swimsuit - Evans £32

SPEC-TACULAR!

I've been a glasses wearer most of my life. I remember my very first pair were a free NHS pair in grey plastic. Followed by metal ones which made me look like Harry Potter. I've tried different contact lenses in the past but my eyes just don't seem to like them so I suffer in Summer. I've had to embrace my specs over they years and decided when I was around 13 that I would make them work for me. I adopted plastic frames as they were more unusual at the time (I like being quirky) and I have never looked back. I now feel like my glasses are a part of me, and help define my image so finding a pair I like is always an exciting thing!

One very late evening I was browsing http://fatgirlslikeniceclothestoo.wordpress.com where the lovely Deena blogged about some new specs she had bought. When I saw them my jaw hit the floor and I went straight to the website to buy a pair. I'm a fond user of the cheapo websites out there for spectacle wearers, where you can get glasses including lenses for under £10. These though...these were special. So special, that I spent over £100 on them!

Behold...

I'm in love with them and plan on wearing them for a very long time! They're the kind of glasses that will look good when I'm 80 so they were worth every penny!
Is there a favourite item you have that you  feel helps define your style?

PLUS LONDON

As you already know I had a blast at Plus London, the gorgeous Champagne that went down with so much ease (I later found out I was drinking the non-alcohol version!) lovely cupcakes and nibbles (the veggie crisps were divine!) and the clothes...oh the clothes! The clothes on the women in attendance, the clothes on the rails...sheer bliss.
Here are a few favourites:

Striped Navy Blazer: Torrid

Dress: Carmakoma

Hooded Cape: ASOS

To be honest, I was expecting a lot more from ASOS, half of the range there is already available online and there wasn't really anything that stood out for me apart form the hooded cape which I love!

I was blown away by the Anna Scholz range! It's always been one of those brands I'd heard of but not ever seen the full range of, I always assumed it was a frumpier label but I was shocked to find so many gorgeous items! My particular faves were these two dresses for their SS11 collection:

I had no preconceived ideas about the styling of the dresses and the first dress (pictured) I found to be 'young' and quite of the moment with its bright, bold patterns but I think the styling of the dress on the model let's it down, it's styled to be quite formal, something you would wear to work or to a baptism. It looks like a very 'grown up' dress on the model, I would have maybe given her more of an edgy look. Trust me though, this dress is gorgeous in person!

The second dress again, is beautiful but the styling of the model doesn't really do the dress justice, maybe an up-do would have been better? It's the little things that make an outfit.

I was thoroughly impressed nonetheless with all the Anna Scholz items, they're quite expensive but would make great special occasion outfits. With ASOS being most big girls favourite shop we tend to all have the same clothes, so I would definitely give Anna Scholz a thought next time I'm looking for that wow factor outfit.

PURRRFECT NAILS

So very very late last night I decided to paint my nails, thought I would try out the combination of my new free Nails Inc polish in Caramel, which folks in the UK can find in Boots when you buy 2 bottles of Diet Coke.

I put on a couple of coats of Nails Inc. Caramel, then a thick layer of Barry M Nail Effects, followed by Hard as Wraps by Sally Hansen and you can see from the results I ended up with a leopardy kind of effect. I think it looks ace.

Don't forget, I am giving away a bottle of Barry M Nail Effects to one lucky winner. You have a maximum of 3 entries (check the rules) and the winner will be draw this Sunday so get your entries in!

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.

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!

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

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!

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:

SALES

So I've tried to go easy on my wallet after a good few months of spending to my hearts content so limited my shopping to a couple of sites; ASOS and Evans. I should be an advocate for ASOS, it's where I seem to spend all my £££ these days. I haven't quite caught on to the Evans bandwagon yet so only have a few items from there but I saw a couple of nice pairs of boots online so decided to 'try-after-you-buy'. I especially liked these ones:

Black Knee High Pirate Boots

• Price: £59.50
• Colour: Black
• Item code: 32D68HBLK

They weren't on sale but I did have a 25% off code! (prima25) so I guess it counts...doesn't it?? I also bought this ring:

Wood Cocktail Ring

• was £9.00
• now £4.50
• Colour: Navy
• Item code: 13C36HNVY
• 
  

Pretty, right??? From ASOS I bought only this top in pink and black:

ASOS CURVE Wrap Front Ruched Sleeve Blouse

£26.00

NOW £15.00

• .

and I wasn't too sure about this one....I mean, I really don't want to be mistaken for a big grizzly while i'm out and about but I thought I'd try it on when it comes and decide then:

ASOS CURVE Faux Fur Coat

£60.00

NOW £36.00
So...hopefully lots of fierce OOTD's on their way!