BIRTH STORY | Inductions, Caesareans and Honesty.

My birth story.

(Before you read any further I want to just say if you're pregnant and scared this probably isn't the story for you, I found people telling me the horror stories of birth really freaked me out so heres a lill trigger warning for those of you who fear birth) I like most women had a regular pregnancy, the vomiting, backache & headaches etc all the usual stuff with a bout of low blood pressure and dizziness but relatively normal until around 30 weeks. I'd had a fair few episodes of decreased fetal movement from about 20 weeks and while being monitored I was measured, a lady bought up her concerns that I was quite small despite gaining 4 stone. I'd been constantly told by people I had a tiny bump and I really did, I didn't even need maternity jeans! (I was around 37 weeks pregnant here so you can see I had a small bump!) Anyway they decided to do another glucose test just incase I had diabetes and the first test missed it, I did it and still no diabetes so they thought I should have a scan to check all was in order, I had my scan and told I'd be having a baby that was around 7lb at this point, just a little high pressure in his cord and too much fluid around him so they booked me in for weekly scans to check his growth, fluid and the cord pressure.  The consultant spoke to me about being induced because they were slightly worried about me more than the baby, my anxiety was pretty bad but she also didn't want me to have a premature baby so we agreed we should wait as long as we could.

PREGNANCY | Finding out & My first trimester!

Before I even knew I was expecting a little one I had symptoms of being pregnant but didn't even notice them, it's not something that crosses your mind when you're in the middle of your cycle. I fell pregnant while I was on holiday, I came back from Florida and went back to work as normal.
I get the bus daily so I found myself feeling very sick and woozy any time I had to get to or from work. I was also a smoker, and any time I had a cigarette I heaved!  I thought I was just coming down with something or I was just super stressed as after the long intense holiday, getting engaged, the stressful trip home and going straight back to work the next day, never would I have thought that I would be pregnant.

2016 - 2017 | Weight loss, Disney World & a big bump!

I've been MIA yet again, its so hard to hold down a full time job, travel to work 4 hours a day, be a dog mumma, have a social life & blog! How some people do it I'll never know!

I had a pretty great 2016 if I'm honest, started out a little slow but by the end it was one of the best years of my life.

HAUL | Gerard Cosmetics, Morphe Brushes & Makeup Geek

Beauty Bay has to be one of my favourite make up websites, they have such an amazing selection of products from Anastasia Beverly Hills to Zoeva.

If you saw my last post you'll see I've been collecting Makeup Geek shadows for a while now and of course no trip to Beauty Bay is complete without some so I picked up Barcalona Beach, Cupcake, Cosmopolitan and Tuscan Sun. I also meant to pick up Tikki but instead I accidentally ordered two Tuscan sun's, argh! I also grabbed one of MUG's contour pans to try out in the shade 'Bad Habit' I also got a FREE, yes FREE!!! Foiled eye shadow as a premier sample because I spent £50.

COLLECTION | Makeup Geek Shadows

Probably some of the most talked about eye shadows on the planet right now is Makeup Geek and there's a reason. They're bloody fabulous. They're probably the most pigmented dreamy shadows I've come across so I thought I'd share my collection so far. 

You can get hold of them on Beauty Bay at £4.95 each. Ok they're cheap but when you buy a few it add's up quickly but compared to MAC or any other high end brand they're a bargain. Not only are they cheaper than most but MUG is cruelty free!

HOW TO | Being Single On Valentines Day

Yes, I am in a long term relationship so a few ideas from me might sound almost comical but I've spent many a Valentines alone, not just due to being single but because sometimes you can't spend it with your beloved! Here are the things I like to do when I need a pick me up.

REVIEW & SWATCHES | Gleam Anastasia Glow Kit

My trip to Florida meant I could get some make up that you cant get in the UK yet, I of course went a bit OTT but when on holiday go crazy, right?

I picked up both of the Anastasia glow kits at $40 each but I decided just to keep the Gleam palette, I thought out of the two I'd want to keep the 'That Glow' one as it was all gold and warm tones but it was in my opinion more for the medium and darker skinned of us and I'm hella pasty, even after two weeks in Florida. This kit is the cooler of the two and I find it suits my skin tone more however after using for the last few weeks it will definitely suit all skin tones.

HOLIDAY | Disney World Florida & Universal Studios.

As always I've been MIA but this time it's for a good reason, I've been in Florida!

My house mates and I went for two weeks in January and it was amazing. We went to all the parks and did some serious shopping so expect lots of new products to crop up on here.
We stayed in a big house about 10 mins from Disney World and it was huge, I ate lots and generally tried to really enjoy every moment!
I wont say too much about it because the pictures do the talking for me but I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Year, here's loads of snaps from my favourite place on the planet.

GIFT GUIDE | HOLIDAY EDITION

It's already December, argh! I feel like we all say it every year but it's come round so quickly? What on earth happened to the year?

Well it's now time to start thinking about Christmas shopping and it can be so stressful, I'm working a better job at the moment but I feel even with a little extra money some people aren't so blessed so I hope that I've chosen things for all budgets. Here are my top picks for presents for the family!

• The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette has been up there with the cult classics this year and this beautiful palette includes three Ambient Lighting Powders, two Ambient Lighting Blushes, and one Ambient Lighting Bronzer.
• Makeup Revolution have a brilliant range of Christmas gifts out and this one is no exception, a gloss, lipstick and nail varnish in a gift box, perfect little stocking filler! 
• These Pandora earrings are beautiful, jewellery at christmas is a great way to feel spoilt and these snow flakes are bound to be cherished by anyone who's lucky enough to receive them.
• The Body Shop have some of the coolest gifts, the Glazed Apple Treat Box is perfect for Secret Santa or even a treat for yourself. (I wish I could use the cheeky monkey emoji here)
• No Christmas is complete without a Soap & Glory Box is it, I get one every year so it's a sure fire hit for anyone and they're usually on 3 for 2 at Boots so you can stock up.
• I don't know anyone who wouldn't appreciate these Real Techniques brushes, a great starter kit with a nice bag to store them in.
• When January comes round we all decide it's a new year so time to change our eating habits and work out more, so look no further than the Fitbit to help you track your progress. Will power needed too obvz.
• No blog post is complete without a Yankee Candle and Christmas Cookie is iconic, I personally couldn't stand the smell but when I burnt it, it released such a yummy warming smell it's now a firm favourite. Lesson learnt never judge a candle by the way it smells before burning it!

OVERVIEW | Powder Highlighters

The world has gone crazy for highlighting/strobing/covering themselves in glitter and I for one am merrily on this band wagon, I thought I'd start doing an overview of products that I have in groups instead of just posting single reviews as I find my blog is literally just all about reviews, haha.
I've gathered together some powder highlighters that I have in my vanity and I thought I'd just have a little ramble about them, pro's & cons kinda thing!