Baby Shower!!!

Last Sunday was my baby shower, my mum and my sister (above) planned the whole thing and it was held at my mums house. A baby shower is something I never dared to think about when we were trying to get pregnant as it just seemed like something we would never get to do, the fact that I'm even pregnant amazes me everyday and getting to share this special day with all my loved ones was just magical. 

I have my proper camera and my polaroid with me but I was so busy enjoying the day that the only photos I took were polaroids. Not that I mind as these photos are adorable! These are close ups of the polaroids and I just think they look so vintage and its so special to have just one copy of them which I am going to scrapbook along with other memorabilia from the day. I adore scrapbooking and can't wait to start on it! 

The shower was girls only but Liam did pop in towards the end to see the presents get opened and help with the cleaning up. 

My mum organised some games, there was no eating out of nappies at this shower (gross), we did the price is right, guess how many sweets in a bottle and the game above which you have a bag for each letter of "BABY SHOWER" and we had to guess a product that was in the bag starting with that letter. It was extremely hard, I sucked at it but my gorgeous niece Evie sure did enjoy emptying out all the bags once we were done and making a right mess! Look at that grin!

Evie's grin making an appearance again as she stuffs her face with cheese balls. This girl can really eat! She devoured half the buffet then sat on a scone, covering herself and her surroundings in jam!

Food in her hand again! 

The best bit about the shower was getting to see family, having all the girls together is so nice as it doesn't happen very often. Having everyone together to celebrate our impending little boy just made me so happy to know that he is going to be so loved and surrounded by such a great family. 

  

My mum went all out on the decorations and they looked great! 

We had a pick n mix table that pretty much just melted in the scorching heat but while they lasted, they looked absolutely adorable!

She also made this amazing nappy cake! It took me ages to take apart once we got home but we certainly won't be running out of nappies for a while! 

I had the best day and am so grateful to my mum and sister for organising and decorating everything and so thankful for all the gorgeous presents we got given. Little one will certainly not want for anything with this lot around! We could barely fit it all in the car to take it home! 

Now to chill out and wait for this little fish to make his grand entrance! 

Our Babymoon!

For the past five years Liam and I have been to the same place in Devon on holiday every year, Woolacombe, North Devon. Last year, he actually proposed while we were there at our favourite private beach so we were really sad when we ultimately decided that we wouldn't go this year as I would be 34 weeks pregnant and it was the only time we could go between Liam's university commitments and baby's arrival. 

As we go every year, the holiday park that we always stay at were sending an abundance of emails and letters about booking a holiday, deals and offers. We got sent such a good offer that we just couldn't ignore so decided that we would take the car chair and hospital bags with us and hope that the baby didn't make an early arrival and that I wouldn't die of tiredness while there! 

The huge bump and my swollen ankles didn't stop us from exploring the beach, we opted to hire some adorable deck chairs and enjoy the beach in a more peaceful way rather than exploring the rock pools like we usually do! It is extremely hard to get out of a deck chair however, when you are very pregnant! 

Couldn't not take at least a few classic Liam from behind photos! They are my favourite to take! 

On the last day we visited a beautiful little village and had a cream tea while taking in this amazing sea view! This village had the steepest hills on earth, I've never panted so much in my life and Liam had to physically push me up hills but it was worth it for this incredible view!

I mainly took polaroid photos because they just feel so much more special than a digital and the camera is also a lot lighter to carry than our massive camera we usually use! This worked out so much better for my tired whale body to handle! 

We took some lovely bump shots but this one is probably my favourite.

I have an insatiable appetite at the moment so we did spend most of our time either eating or planning where to eat next. We had loads of amazing cream teas, drank loads of tea and drowned ourselves in fudge. 

The best meal though, was the tapas. We went to this same tapas restaurant last year the day Liam proposed so it felt really special to go back again with baby fish as well. He kicked away in my tummy like crazy while I drank a delicious Peach and Passionfruit Daiquiri Mocktail, we went for the endless tapas deal so we had so much food and left feeling painfully full but it was worth it as the food was genuinely the best I have ever eaten. 

This was the view from our deck chairs I mentioned earlier, who wouldn't want to have a picnic looking at this and reading a book in the sun! We did get a little burnt though, despite the sun cream. But again, so worth it. 

We had such a good week away, the last just us two before we become a family of three! I can't wait to take the little one with us next year. We didn't take our dog, Watson, this year as we felt Liam would have his hands full looking after me let alone our needy yet adorable pup but he will definitely be coming next year so we can have a proper family holiday! 

The best Babymoon! 

26th Birthday Wishlist

One               Two               Three               Four

My 26th birthday is fast approaching so I thought it was time I compiled a wishlist of gifts I probably won't be receiving as our maternity leave belts are fully tightened but it's nice to dream! 

Twenty six suddenly feels so old! I don't know if it's the number itself or the fact that I become a mum this year but my grey hairs are growing with force and I've even started cooking dinner every night instead of living off junk food! 

I rarely get the occasion to wear makeup these days but that hasn't stopped me lusting after it! 

One - Urban Decay Beached Bronzer

I'm sure this came out a few years ago and I never bought it but it's now back as part of the Beached Collection for summer. I've only recently gotten into bronzer, I usually just go for a warm contour but  recently I've been using the bronzer out of the Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Blush palette a lot and loving it so I'd really like to try something new! The packaging is also gorgeous!

Two - Cath Kidston Card Holder

I currently have a Cath Kidston bag that I use everyday but it's relatively small and my huge purse takes up all the space inside. I don't feel that I need a big purse anymore as I never carry cash and most things are paid for using Apple Pay anyway so I've been on the lookout for a cute card holder and this one is prefect! It is currently reduced to £16 which is such a good price and the colour is to die for.

Three - Urban Decay Backtalk Palette

I've been dying to get my hands on this palette since it was teased on Instagram. It includes 8 eyeshadow shades and 4 blush/highlight shades. All in a beautiful rosy pink tones, I don't have anything else like it which makes it the perfect addition to my collection. Very wearable but also the kind of palette you can create a lot of looks with. 

Four -  Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlight

Becca is a brand I've been hearing about everywhere the past couple of years but it's never been accessible to me but now it is available in John Lewis! I've always wanted to try the famous Champagne Pop shade as it is so raved about but I'm kinda leaning towards Moonstone as it is a paler shade and I'm a little ghostly at the moment!

Five

This palette is actually not out yet but it is currently being teased on Instagram loads! It is the second collaboration with youtuber SophDoesNails and Revolution Makeup. I have the first palette and it is incredible so the second is an absolute must have! I've also been thinking I'd love to try a yellow eye look recently but don't actually own a yellow eyeshadow so the two yellow shades in this palette are very appealing to me! The lipsticks in the collection look gorgeous as well but I'm all about the palette!

  If I only get one thing for my birthday this year, I hope this is it! 

31 Week Pregnancy Update: The Home Stretch

We are on the home stretch! Just 9 weeks until my due date and finally on maternity leave. I've genuinely never been more excited!

I'm feeling very lucky that I still feel "relatively" healthy and can still reach my feet to put my shoes on, I don't want to jinx it but so far the 3rd Trimester is treating me well. There are my recent updates...

1. My bump now touches the steering wheel in my car which means time to sell it! We no longer need two cars and I'm too tubby to drive anyway!

2. I've only been on maternity leave for a week and I'm already bored and I'm constant stress mode about money. Maternity pay really is rubbish but the bills still need paying! 

3. Baby is due in 9 weeks and it still doesn't feel real. Will the realness hit me soon?! 

4. Maternity clothes don't even fit me anymore, everything feels too restricting and like its squeezing me so now I spend all my time in the nude or in enormous pyjamas.

5. Nesting is real and it has bit me like a ton of bricks! I've organised little boys clothes so many times and I can't stop hoovering! And having even one knife in the sink sends my anxiety into overdrive! 

6. I've always been a crazy dog mama but my pup has been so extra cute to me recently. I can't stop mothering him, the poor boy is sick of all the attention but I just want cuddles!

7. Little boy kicks so hard and rolls around to intensely that I feel like I'm going to throw up. Sometimes I actually do throw up. It just like a normal occurrence for me now. 

8. My belly button is still an innie and everyday I poke it and inspect the depth of it and hope that it stays in. PLEASE STAY IN! 

9. No stretch marks as of yet, have I just tempted fate by telling you that?

10. We have officially been informed that I am growing a very big baby. I have already had and passed a gestational diabetes test but I am being sent for another one just in case that is why but mostly likely I am just the mother of a baby whale. The hospital have said they will re assess the situation at the 36 week scan which could mean being induced a few weeks early or a number of other possibilities but tbh, I'm not fussed as it would be lovely to have him a few weeks early and of course, what ever is safest for me and baby is fine by me.

Overall. I'm feeling surprisingly calm so I am just casually waiting for the panic to set in and enjoying binge watching Desperate Housewives in the meantime. 

Maternity Occassion Wear

One             Two            Three             Four            Five

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!