Maternity Occassion Wear

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I have two big events coming up in June, Liam's graduation and my baby shower. I am going to be pretty damn pregnant for both and on a budget as I go on maternity leave on the 1st June so I've been scouring the internet for a dress I can wear for both occasions that is relatively cheap but also going to be comfortable and flattering on my blossoming bump! Especially as lots of photos will be taken on both occasions! 

Although I love my pregnancy body and feel extremely confident showing off my bump, pregnancy has also given me enormous boobs (if they weren't big enough before!) and I've gotten a little chubby  so I am dreading finding something that will be flattering in photos. 

My first thought was a wrap dress to show off these bangers as when they are under cover they just look even bigger but I'm concerned that a graduation is not the time to get the girls out! I'm thinking however that if I go for a more conservative looking dress with some length to it, I can pull off the booby look. Dresses two, four and five tick these boxes! I am really leaning towards the red one.

Dress one is really lovely and has a super flattering cape style top section, I've never worn anything like this so I'm not sure if it would suit me but I'm sure tempted to order it and try! The navy colour is especially appealing and I feel like the floaty material will drape nicely over the bump.

Dress three is similar to a dress I already own so I know the style suited my pre pregnancy body but I'm not sure how it will compliment my enormous boobs and big bump. It could look super flattering or I could end up looking like a black sack with legs. I really do like it though! 

Gahh! This is hard! What do you think? I'll probably order maybe two of these and hope that one of them looks good! Which two should I order? 

24 Week Update: Pregnancy Is Hard!

I am now 24 weeks pregnant coming up quickly on 25 weeks and it has been a rollercoaster! My bump is quickly expanding, the kicks are getting stronger and the nursery is all coming together but pregnancy is not all the sunshine and roses that many bloggers make it out to be! 

While I am loving being pregnant and feeling this little babe get bigger and stronger, counting down the days until Baby Fish is here, pregnancy really is hard and I've still got a way to go! 

I thought today was the day to talk about those things...

1. I am so tired all the damn time. I still get 10+ hours a night (broken sleep but still) then still need to nap during the day for at least two hours. 

2. I love my body more than ever but also can't stand the sight of it. Watching my bump grow is amazing but the cellulite that has now appeared on my legs, the lizard like skin on my face and my hideously veiny nipples make me want to cry. 

3. Walking or moving in general has become a difficult chore. I get so achy and tired after just a little walk around a shopping centre which means baby shopping has been halted recently as I just can't keep up!

4. I am constantly worried, I thought this had gone away after week 12 but now that I am feeling the baby kick and move regularly, its all I think about. Not enough movement, movements weaker than last week and at a different time, every slight change although perfectly normal panics the hell out of me.

5. I can't stop peeing! My work must think I'm such a lazy cow because I'm constantly disappearing to the loo, my had a growth scan the other day and were told that babies head is completely pushed into my bladder so that explains why!

6. Some days my nips leak and some days they don't, is that normal?!

7. I feel like the count down is on, 15 weeks left until his due date suddenly doesn't feel like a lot. I had felt pretty well prepared but now I just feel like I need everything to be done, assembled and washed. Nesting has well and truly kicked in!

8. I am hungry all the time! I need to eat every hour otherwise I start to feel really really sick so that means constantly hiding in a corner to eat at work and raiding the cupboards at home all through the day. 

9. The sickness hasn't left me yet! Although the daily puking is long gone, every so often sickness will just wash over me and I end up throwing up my guts all the over the street outside Poundland in front of loads of people. I'm not even embarrassed anymore, its my life now.

10. Most importantly, although I am in a constant state of worry and tiredness. I am so completely in love with this little person and can't wait to meet him! 

Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat

Urban Decay is my absolute favourite brand so when the gorgeous full size Heat palette was released, I bought it straight away. (well, Liam did!) 

Although I really like the Naked Heat, I feel like a lot of the shades are quite similar and end up just blending into one shade which can make it a really difficult palette to create many looks with so I found myself mostly reaching for the matte shades and using them for everyday looks. 

When I first saw the Petite Heat on Urban Decays Instagram I instantly feel in love with the all matte selection and the variety of the shades! I really felt like I could do more with this one! 

The packaging like its larger counter part is a big selling point for me as it is just lovely! So well made, strong and eye catching. It is the exact same shape and design as the Naked Basic palettes but with the much more desirable plastic casing.

The palette contains 6 all new matte shades, all warm toned but all very different. They all work perfectly together to create multiple different looks ranging from a warm smokey eye to a light warmth for the daytime. 

Left:     Inhale      Vibrate      Hot Spell      Wild Thing      Heist      Strike     :Right

Inhale is a light highlight shade which is perfect for the brow bone and inner corner.

Vibrate is my favourite shade, I love this as an all over lid shade just on its own for a slightly warm everyday look but it is also the perfect shade to use with the other shades as a crease/transition shade.

Hot Spell is also a fave of mine, again I love it alone all over the lid for a smokey everyday look. It can be built up to have a lot of impact or blended out for a grungy warm look.

Wild Thing is gorgeous, more of a red tone than the others, I've been using this all over the lid with a mix of Vibrate and Hot Spell in the crease and for blending out the edges. 

Heist is a much deeper almost Burgundy red. Great for using on the outer corners of the eyes to add definition.

Strike is more of a purple than an orange but still has that Naked Heat signature warmth. This is the shade I would lean on if I was creating an evening look, I've used this one the least as I never go out in the evenings these days but it is a necessary addition to this palette. 

Overall, I would say this palette is fantastic and you definitely need it! If you already have the full sized Heat palette like me then you need this palette but if you don't, I would say get this one instead as it is the better of the two. Although both great! 

Benefit Bad Gal Bang!

Priced at £21.50, Benefits new Bad Gal Bang mascara is pretty damn expensive. So I wouldn't have been trying or buying it at all but this months Birchbox came with a mini tester size so I was pretty excited to give it a go for a fraction of the cost. 

On Benefits website this is how they describe the mascara...

"BADgal BANG! 36-HOUR* FULL-BLAST volumising mascara creates MASSIVE volume without weighing down lashes. The gravity-defying formula contains aero-particles, one of the lightest known materials, derived from space technology. This innovative intense pitch-black mascara layers easily for bigger & BIGGER impact. Its custom big Slimpact! brush is streamlined to reach root-to-tip, corner-to-corner, upper & lower lashes for BIG VOLUME WITH 360° REACH!

*instrumental test on 21 women

• Smudge-proof, water-resistant, volumising mascara
• 90% saw dramatic volume**
• 94% said it instantly lifted lashes**  
• 92% said it lengthened lashes**
• ProVitamin B5 known to fuel thickness & strength"

* 

Firstly, I don't understand why a mascara would need to be able to last 36hours, I certainly won't be trying it out for that long and how can I possibly prove if the space technology does anything or even exists? None the less, it is all pretty unique marketing so I'm not mad at it.

Next, Bad Gal Bang says that it is smudge-proof, water-resistant and volumising which I would agree with. As you can see in the photo below of my lashes, there is obvious volume and as promised it didn't smudge all day and took a good scrubbing to remove it. 

Lastly, it promised to lift and lengthen which yes, it does. I find reviewing this mascara to be a hard one because it does in fact do all the things it promises to do but yet, I still don't like it.

I mean, look at my lashes?! They genuinely look horrible. I've never seen my lashes look so awful. 

I have naturally long lashes, they are dark and curled naturally as well so I am very lucky but sometimes this works against me as they have a tendency to become tangled and clumped when the mascara I'm using is too wet and deposits too much product onto my lashes in one go. Which is exactly what Bad Gal Bang does.

The more I work the product through my lashes the more they clump, I even tried combing them through with a clean spoolie brush and it just made them look worse. 

I don't want to completely slam this mascara because I am fully aware that some people work really well with a wet formula mascara and this will likely work so well for them, I have seen many other bloggers and youtubers manage to achieve amazing lashes from using this mascara so I know it is possible but unfortunately not for me. 

So yeah, this is my personal opinion and I suggest you do still give it a go if you like a wetter mascara otherwise maybe spend your hard earned cash on Roller Lash instead! 

Baby Wishlist

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Now that I'm almost 19weeks pregnant, it is full steam ahead with baby shopping! We have started to buy more practical things like the breast pump, nappy bin... the boring but necessary bits. But what really excites me are the adorable little clothes and soft plush toys! 

One

This little set of bodysuits is from H&M, they are a practical clothing purchase which would be great for everyday wear and the hedgehog print is just adorable! I am really loving the sage green theme H&M currently seem to have going on with a lot of the baby range. Although I think intended to be unisex, I definitely think this colour looks especially lovely on a baby boy. The grey bodysuit is in a sort of cord material which I think is super unique and easily paired with other items so well.

Two

With the new Peter Rabbit film coming out soon, the shops are full of Peter Rabbit bits. This little dungaree set is from Mothercare and it just melts me! Unfortunately I don't think ill be purchasing it as with the baby due on 1st August, it would likely be too warm to wear it! 

Three

We aren't planning on buying many toys at first because realistically newborns don't play with them but we will get a few little things. I really like with Mickey Mouse rattle from Disney Store because it  is simple and pretty, subtly boyish but not too in your face. A good first toy! 

Four

Another adorable sage green set from H&M, I definitely will end up buying this set. The colour just get me! It is a really practical, a whole outfit with the only addictions needing to be mittens and socks. So simple but stunning. 

Five

JellyCat toys are my favourite at the moment, I literally snuggled this fox and squealed in John Lewis the other day! Im not going to buy him or any other soft toys until after the baby shower because I'm sure we will get some gifted to us and don't want to end up with an abundance of toys! I also have a soft spot for the classic bunnies and the dinosaur! 

These are the things I've been eyeing up recently! I am really trying to remember that we are limited on space in our little house but its all just so tempting! 

Thanks for reading! 

We're Having A BOY!!!

Liam and I are so excited to announce that we are expecting a baby BOY and couldn't be happier! 

We booked in a private gender scan weeks ago and have been eagerly counting down the days, we had the scan last Wednesday at which time I was exactly 17weeks pregnant. I was so worried we wouldn't be able to see the gender because previously our baby has been quite the little fidget! But luckily little man decided to cooperate nicely and grabbed himself a handful of willy showing just what a little boy he really is! 

I had been guessing boy from the very beginning, a few other people were too but Liam and most of the rest of our family were pretty convinced he was a baby girl. Liam is always right so I had almost convinced myself of that too but it turns out I was right all along! 

It was such a strange feeling being told we had a son! This whole pregnancy has been emotional but this was the most emotional part for me and for Liam I think. We've both had permanent smiles on our faces since the moment we found out, I feel like knowing the gender has made it all feel so real! We have a SON, a little BOY! 

My whole life I have imagined myself having a girl, right up until that first scan I honestly felt like I was having a girl but the moment we saw our little miracle on the screen my heart just told me he was a boy and I was right!

The boy shopping is now nicely underway, we have quite the pile of adorable blue clothes and batman attire! I'm really trying to hold back though so that he doesn't end up with way more clothes than he could ever wear but it is so hard without all the cuteness around! 

Are you a mum of a boy? Whats it like?

Drugstore Top 7 of 2017

I'm a makeup addict, I have a lot of makeup so I do try to use different things everyday so that things don't get ignored but these 7 items are the few items have have snuck into being used a whole lot more than the rest! My top 7 favourites of the year 2017! 

Makeup Revolution X Soph Eyeshadow Palette

I do like Makeup Revolution but when I have so many high end eyeshadow palettes to choose from I just never reached for them but this Soph X palette is something different! I feel like the packaging and the product quality is just so much better than Makeup Revolution usually is and I have been reaching for this over my high end palettes which is saying something! The pigmentation is great and the selection of shades is fantastic, there really is a shade for every look. Perfect for taking on holiday so you have loads of choices in one adorable palette!

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powder in Champagne Sorbet

This baby has been my absolute favourite highlighter by far! I have liked some of Tanya's products in the past but not like this. This highlighter is just incredible (third swatch down below) it can be applied lightly for a subtle glow or layered up for a BAM in your face highlight. I just feel like my whole face just looks so much more healthy and glowing when I wear this and my dull pregnancy skin really appreciates that! 

Left: Soph X palette shades Pug and Grow Old, Tanya Burr Illuminating Powder, Nip + Fab Matte Liquid Lipstick, Ted Baker Lip and Cheek Tint :Right

Boujois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation - Light Vanilla

Described on the bottle as providing 16hour radiance and boosting an even revived complexion, I would totally agree. My skin looks so much more even and glowing when I wear this foundation, it has less coverage than I would usually go for but I have been really enjoying the lighter, healthier look. My skin has been very dull and grey looking recently so this has been a life saver!

Boujois Volume Reveal Mascara - Radiant Black

When I bought the Healthy Mix foundation I also bought the matching concealer and when you spent over £12 you got a little gift set of other Boujoir products. This mascara was one of them. I didn't have high expectations as I had never heard anyone talk about it or seen at advertised at any point but I was so pleasantly surprised! It is super lengthening and thickening which I love and it only takes one coat to achieve lovely lashes which is great for lazy girls who are always running late for work like me. 

Nip + Fab Matte Liquid Lipstick - Pink Lemonade

This is still the only thing I have ever tried from Nip + Fab but I will definitely be testing the brand more this year as this little lovely is incredible! I grabbed this in Superdrug because it was next to the till and I have no will power, I do not regret it at all! I am really lazy with lip products because I hate having to reapply all the time or having it go crusty in the corners of my mouth after being on for too long but this liquid lipstick is just so easy to use and wear! It is prefect for lazy little me! It is a thin consistency, wears for a really long time and wears off evenly meaning that I don't have to reapply if I don't want too. The shade is also so on trend and makes me feel fancy and put together! 

Ted Baker Lip and Cheek Tint

I actually didn't buy this in 2017 and it wasn't released in 2017 but I've loved using it all year and into this year. I wasn't sure whether to include it because you actually can't even buy it anymore but I'm sure Ted Baker will bring out something similar next Christmas in the gift sets (I got this one in a gift set) The shade is reminiscent of Narz Orgasm but so much cheaper! It has a lovely true pink tone with fine gold glitters in it. It looks so natural and healthy on the skin and the consistency of the cream is so easy to blend out and apply little or a lot depending on what you are going for. 

I know it is now February and this post is crazy late but I hope you enjoyed it none the less! Have you guys loved any of these products this year? If not, what have your faves been?