MELLIES CORNER

My little corner of the web.
How I miss thee.

I do apologise for the lack of posts.

But, who was prepared for the juggling of exams, with blogging and all else that comes with life?
NOT ME!
Exams are a bitch and my name is now Mummy Revision.

As things slow down and I begin to regain some much needed organisation in my life, all will be right again on Mellies Corner.

Hopefully my archive posts [which will be working doubly as hard whilst I revise my ass off!!] will provide you with some entertainment. You can find them thatta way >>>>

Hope everyone is well and we will catch up soon :)

I have used 2 coats of the Barry M Speedy nail polish in Turbo Charged for the above mani.
It is such a gorgeous peach, coral colour with the smallest hint of shimmer. Soooo nice, I really like it.

This is my third Barry M Speedy purchase (the others will appear on le blog soon) and I will repurchase more, mainly for the new shades and the speediness in which they dry. However I am not a big fan of the brush - application. For me the polish applied quite gloopy and the brush is not as fluid as I like, which meant more cleaning and touch-ups were required. Also I have found as the nail polish dries pretty quickly, you do need to be quite precise on both coats or you may get a weird patch that was a little streaky or has not been applied the best.

Other than that for the price and availability, the speedy nail polishes are still ones I will use again, but with my cotton bud or corrector pen at the ready!

Hey guys,

My blog Mellies Corner is now 1 :).
It has been a year since I have started blogging on Mellies Corner and I'm so happy to still be here enjoying the process a year later.

I want to say the biggest thank you to everyone wherever you are who reads / has read my blog, left comments, +1'd me on Google+  and retweeted my tweets :) I really appreciate it all! To think that people in countries outside of the UK have read my random essay like blog posts is awesome.

I started Mellies Corner as I wanted to stop waylaying my friends and boyfriend with my trivial thoughts. I needed some form of a creative outlet and something to help give my brain a bit of functional escapism and that is exactly what it has done and then some.






Within a year I have hosted my first collaboration post, had my blog post featured on a website (crazy!) and have been able to attend some lovely events.










I love the process of blogging, the pictures, the writing, the editing .... but I still struggle a little with the sharing on social media. I'm getting a little better, so if you are also on any social media platforms you can find me here :

Hello all,

Can you believe we are 6 months into the year already! What is happening to time?

This is a special week over here as it has been a year since I have started blogging on Mellies Corner. I thought I would try to do some 'special' nails in celebration of this benchmark and this is the mani I was able to create.


I originally wanted to do a leaf design, but that was way too structural for my skills, so I settled on the untamed grass look. I am so happy with the end results as I am not great at nail designs, and I think this came out pretty decent.

The Beauty UK - White Out provided my base for this mani.
I then used Rimmel - Do Not Disturb to add the 'grass' strokes from the inner bottom left corner of my nails, with my Models Own nail thin brush.
Barry M - Waikiki was then used to add some highlight and definition to the grass.

As the 'grass' design is quite fluid I found it super easy to do as it didn't have to be symmetrical or match the other nails to a T.
I also think it is a spring/summer appropriate mani to wear, due to the white nail polish and highlights of the brighter green polish.

I will also be hosting my first ever giveaway soooonish to celebrate Mellies Corner turning one so do keep your eyes peeled for that - I cannot wait.
xx

You know an exhibition was truly something when it sticks with you days after.
I went to see the perfectly titled Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A Museum and it was nothing short of amazing.

So intense,
Sadistic,
Heavy,
Romantic,
Provocative,
Hauntingly beautiful,
Torturous,
With a real sense of sadness through many of the pieces,
Just stunningly beautiful.

Sourced from alexandermcqueen.com

The V&A have housed and showcased the Alexander McQueen pieces perfectly. You get taken on such a journey with themed rooms, creative sounds, music, quotes that are almost hidden they feel like a secret from Alexander McQueen himself. Large and bold statements with background clues and history elucidating the influences and experiences that helped to inspire his work. They all work so well together and compliment the collection immensely.

To hear some of the influences that went into making collections like 'Eshu', 'The Girl Who Lived In a Tree' and his earlier pieces heavily influenced from his experiences at Saville Row was powerfully fascinating.
Alexander McQueen had such a statement to make and keep consistent throughout his work which you get to witness and understand through this exhibition.

The Girl Who Lived In A Tree AW/08 - sourced from alexandermcqueen.com

What A Merry Go Round AW/01 - sourced from alexandermcqueen.com

You get seduced by the exhibition curated by Claire Wilcox and consultant curator Andrew Bolton, through the clothes, the presentation, the mannequins used. The detail of the rooms the pieces are housed in, the amazing visuals and the stunningly eerie pyramid - house to the Kate Moss hologram, which first appeared in Alexander McQueen's 2006 'Widows of Culloden' collection.

The pieces are exquisite with an unbelievable amount of skill and intricate detail involved which you get to appreciate at such close proximity. There are also snippets of some of his famous catwalk shows shown within the 'Cabinet of Curiosities' room which is like a sensory overload. So much to see, so much to take in, admire, enjoy, watch, listen and feel.

I recommend for any McQueen lovers, or any creative soul to visit this exhibition. It is a must see and you will not be disappointed. You will leave feeling something whether it be confusion, admiration, amazement or a sense of sadness. It is so worth it.

You can purchase tickets for the exhibition which is on until 2nd August 2015 here.
xx

Hey hey ya'll.

This week I have a tag post all about Disney.
I read the lovely Charlotte from Berice Baby do this tag and sadly asked if I could tag myself. But she nicely helped me out and tagged me instead :). I do not know the blog tag etiquette at all.

My partner and I were huge Disney lovers when we were kids and we still enjoy them to this day and cannot wait to watch them with our own little love Cai. As Cai is so into music and right now could never sit long enough to watch 1/5 of a film, we have compiled a little Disney song playlist for him which he loves.

Mellies Corner is nearly a year old. Time really does fly when you are having fun.
I have really enjoyed blogging and being able to express myself creatively on this little corner of the net.
As you do....a little bit of reflecting here and there, I had a look at my blog and was wanting more.
When I started this blog I didn't really look into designs, layouts etc, I just signed up with blogger and started typing away.

I feel my creative blinkers are well and truly on at the moment and I had a random 1am impulse feeling, lusting after a new design for my blog.

I know that I know NOTHING about coding.
I know that I could not afford to pay someone to work with me on changing the look of blog.
So off I went to good old Google where I realised you could install themes for free that change your blog appearance.

And that is exactly what I did.
And I love it!
I think it is so me, so fresh, simple and much easier to read without loosing the personality of the blog.
It even works better than it did before on Smartphones, Iphones, Tablets etc.

View from smartphone.

I installed my blog theme from the lovely BThemez.com and they have many gorgeous themes for all types of websites to choose from, so please do check them out.

I installed the theme myself on my blog and followed their Documentation document provided, which gives you advice on how to edit specific parts of the HTML. I know I get super scared any time I hit on 'Edit Html' because I don't want to ruin or replace anything by accident!
Once you begin editing within the HTML itself they had written helpful pointers in a different colour, for you to follow which was so helpful.

I was so impressed by the brains behind the theme design as the lovely Dee went above the norm to help me achieve the new blog layout I wanted; as I had a few glitches when adapting some of the layout and HTML.
They had a very quick response to my 'in need of help' email, kept in contact with me the whole time, fixed the little random bugs, explained things and gave me handy tips.
Such amazing customer service I am just so happy and really appreciative to him for all his help. So thank you Dee. I have definitely been upgraded :).
xx

 Hey everyone, hope you are all well :).

I am back with another weeks Monday mani. This week we have a shade and a formula I am so happy with.

This nail polish is just yum! So pink, so creamy, so easy to apply! The best bit - it really does stay. I had no chips for 4 whole days which in itself is just a miracle. I used 2 coats of Revlon Colorstay Passionate Pink for this mani.
I think this is a great pink for the Spring/Summer months as it is so bright but without being a neon shade, making it easy to wear.
There is something about this formula that I really enjoy using. The brush is a great shape for a smooth application without too much tidying up around the cuticles needed. I also bought this nail polish in T K Maxx for £2.99 I mean yes yes yes.
xx

Hey hey everyone.
How are we all?

I wanted to catch up with you guys as I feel I have missed an eternity in the blogosphere. I had so many posts to catch up on Bloglovin' my goodness. Actually can we just talk about the Bloglovin' app .... Is it just mine that is super slow and freezes all the time?

There have been a few little changes going on round our way, but they literally feel so large and time crushing sometimes.
I have been pondering on the element of time recently, as I am getting on in life :) and really have been putting things into perspective and trying to keep positively focused. I think as I have settled into motherhood my outlook on so much has changed.

Finally I have a Monday Mani up.
It may have only been a week .... but it feels like an eternity lol.
My nails have grown and are doing pretty well if I may so my self, so I thought I would put a little effort into my mani this week.

Hey hey ya'll.

Can you believe we are at the end of another month ALREADY. Time literally waits for no man which has been the theme on both my Twitter and Instagram this month.
April has been a lovely busy month bringing with it sunshine, brighter days and family quality time.
I have just been so into clothes and accessories this month. My saved items lists are larger than normal; so do keep your eyes peeled as I'm sure an influx of collective wish lists may be coming your way soon.

As we come to another month end we share with you our Wishes for the month of April.

Hey guys, after a few days absence I am back with my mani of the week. Hope you are all well :)

I have also added some new polishes to my ever growing collection so will have loads of fresh Monday Mani's up....eventually with some nail art but you know, little steps and all that.

Just look at how the sun is bouncing off this bottle - I need no more encouragement.
This is definitely an oldie but a goodie, and I happily found it in the back bedroom shoved behind some body creams.
This is a true to name Coral nail polish that also applies so well. I did not buff my nails before application and the end result was pretty flawless. What better colour for the brighter weather we are getting this side of the year also xx.

I am so glad to have this little gem in my ever growing nail collection.

This is one of those staple nail shades, the classic true burgundy nail polish which suits all. The formula is also really easy to apply and does last really well. I wore this colour for 5 days and only had one chip on my left hand. This Burgundy Kiss nail polish has become a firm favourite of mine. It is definitely a must have nail polish which is also so affordable at £2.99 from good old Superdrug.

Hey guys,

I had a different post scheduled for today, then I went onto H&M online and oh my days.
I absolutely love H&M kids clothes. They are generous with sizing and length, as my boy is tall & slender and they wash super well. Also the price - they are so affordable and usually come with such cute designs.
The only thing that usually puts me off shopping at H&M online is their delivery. Once you get used to Asos - next day delivery or normal shops taking 3 - 5 days. H&M just ain't cutting it with their 15+ days sometimes. I am impatient so that just doesn't fit into my life lol.

As we are heading into warmer months I wanted to share with you H&M items that are on Cai's Spring/Summer Wish List. I have tried to whittle down my list to the NEEDS as there are just so many things I could literally be here forever! I have listed all links below too so hope that is of help.

Hello lovelies, wishing you all a wonderful start to your week.

For this weeks Monday Mani I wanted to share with you a little pink beauty from Nails Inc.
What better way to begin your week than with a dip into the pink pool of pinkdom lol.

My lovely friend Poumy aka Zoe who I have mentioned many a time on Mellies Corner (we love you Poumla) gifted me this gorgeous nail polish as part of my birthday gifts. Thank you :).

I always go on about how wonderful social media can be, and this is definitely one of the great things to come from the visual world of Instagram.

While I was pregnant which feels like many moons ago :( I used to look at other mummies who were #20weeks or so pregnant like me. I saw this fellow mummy to be and added her straight away! Lo and behold we also had our babies on the same day too *labour buddies* lol.

The lovely Yasmin captured while making Amazing Animals

Amazing Animals is a children's book made by one hot mama Yasmin...who is a mummy to a gorgeous little girl.

You can find more on the lovely Yasmin at the following :

Hey guys, happy bank holiday Monday woop woop.

This weeks nails I am not loving and cannot wait to whip them off me nails.