Mia Jade

So, in my last blog post I was preparing for labour as I had 2 weeks left until i was due, then three days later Mia Jade was born! People say I had a quick labour, but it didn't feel like that, not having any pain relief only gas and air for the last hour.

My and Gibbo went to an Indian buffet around 6pm on 15th January, I was feeling little niggley pains at the time but didn't think anything of it, I was just looking forward to tucking into my chicken tikka. A lady sat on the next table asked when I was due, we had a chat and I told her about the pains I was getting and she said I'm probably in labour because she had the same. I wasn't convinced.

We arrived home late and around midnight we went to bed, the pains were still there but nothing I couldn't handle, until I woke up at 3am the next morning, the pain were a lot worse, I was in labour!

6.45am we arrived at the hospital and 7.50am on 16th January Mia was born.
She is now nearly 5 month old and I am truly blessed to have such a smiley, happy, content baby. She's an angel.

Whats In My Hospital Labour Bag.

Only two weeks to go and i'm almost all packed and ready for hospital. There's still a few more things i need to throw in, like my straighteners and a hair brush which i still need so they wont be going in till its time to go.

I'm also going to pick up some drinks and snacks at the last minute.

I have divided my hospital bags into two. They recommend to have a Labour bag and a Postnatal bag but i'm doing it a little differently. I'm having a suitcase for everything i need, and keeping the baby's things in another bag, separate from mine.

So here's a few pictures and a run down of everything i have packed in my bag.

My big fluffy dressing gown takes up most of the room in my suitcase...

I knew them sample shampoos would come in handy...

1 x Nightie
1 x Pajamas
4 x pack of black knickers
1 x pair of socks
1 x VERY cosy dressing gown
1 x pair of comfy slippers
2 x packs of Maternity towels
Toiletries (see picture)
Make-up (i want to look a little decent in pictures!)
Breast pads
Cooling spray
Travel Hairdryer
1 dark coloured towel.

I cannot put into words how nervous i am! i guess it's the fear of the unknown.

But i am soooo excited to meet my little girl! i will also be doing a blog post for

what i packed for her.

Is there anything else i should pack? 

how was your labour experience?

i'd love to know.

Review: Pink Lining's 'Blooming Gorgeous' Changing Bag

You may have heard of Pink Lining's popular changing bag, the 'Yummy Mummy' bag, well for Christmas my parents bought me the 'Blooming Gorgeous' changing bag from the Pink Lining range as they knew i was looking to purchase this myself. I was over the moon!

The design is slightly different to the 'Yummy Mummy' range as it is wider with a larger pocket on the front. The outer fabric is coated in PEVA laminate which makes it easy for stains to wipe off. It has handles to carry or a detachable strap to wear over the shoulder or over the pram and two pockets at either side of the bag which are handy for snacks.

Inside features include a zip pocket, pen holder, mobile pocket, 2 nappy pockets, 2 insulated bottle holders which you can just about squeeze tommee tippee closer to nature bottles in *phew* and an elastic key/dummy fob so your not having to rummage through everything to find them at the bottom of the bag.
The bag also comes with a padded changing mat and a zip bag, handy for storing wet/dirty clothes in.

(This is what is inside my bag as it is ready to take the the hospital)

This bag usually retails for £79 but from time to time, Pink Lining have this on sale for £55.
The design is so girly and different to all the other changing bags i've seen. It is light weight and very spacious with lots of little pockets and holders for various things.
All in all, i really love this bag and i am looking forward to popping it over the pram when we're out'n about :)

Review: Schwarzkopt got2b Guarding Angel

I've used lots of heat protection sprays in my time but never seemed to find one that actually works. Some were too heavy and left my hair feeling dirtier than what it was before i washed it and some didn't work at all, leaving my shoulders covered in dead ends! So eventually i gave up and stopped using heat protection for quite a while.
During pregnancy my hair has grown a lot and i like it, being one who normally asks my hairdresser to cut it all off.
I needed to purchase a heat protector to prevent me having to have my hair cut so often, but i wasn't sure which to buy.

I was in Asda and saw the Schwarzkopf got2b Guardian angel heat protection spray was on offer for around £2 and thought i'd give it ago...and i'm glad i did.

I love this product! Its not too heavy and doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy, it smells absolutely amazing and best of all, no more dead ends all over my shoulders! which can only mean its working right? I wash my hair every 2 days and this 200ml bottle has lasted me around two month with still plenty left.

As a hairdresser i always get asked what the best products are to use and i'm glad i have found a heat protection spray i can recommend and i will purchase again :)

Can you recommend any good hair products?

Review: Urban Decay Vice Palette

I absolutely love Urban Decay, and when i opened this on Christmas day, i couldn't control my excitement!

My fiance got me this as he knew how badly i wanted it, i got some really lovely presents but this had to be the best.

 What i love most about this palette is the the mixture of matte, shimmer and glitter colours, the great pigmentation of the shadows and the large useful mirror (unlike the Naked and Naked 2 mirrors).

These are 20 never before seen colours from Urban Decay with a new formula.

The swatches i have done are literally one/two coats of shadow to show the high pigmentation.

Desperation, Muse, Jagged, Blitz, Penny Lane

Junkie, Chaos, Occupy, Unhinged, Black Market

Provocateur, Rapture, Vice, Noise, Armor

Nevermind, Echo Beach, Anonymous, Freebird, Laced

This palette retails for £42 which some might say is alot to pay for an eye shadow palette but these shadows are high quality, highly pigmented, blend-able and last for hours! It works out at £2.10 a shadow which i think is good value for money. It also comes with a double ended eye shadow brush/blender which works a treat.

Soap & Glory The Best of All £27!

Yes people, its that time all us Soap and Glory fans have been waiting for!
The large gift set 'The Best of All' has dropped its hefty £60 price tag to £27!
BARGAIN!
This is a fantastic deal for Christmas! My boyfriend got mine today but unfortunately i have to wait till Christmas to get my hands on it!
This gift set is slightly different from last year, which i like, and it has some of the old favorites such as Hand food, Heel Genius and my favorite, The Righteous Butter.
If you haven't already got yours then i suggest you act fast. The offer is only while stocks last in store and online at Boots.com!

Have you got yours yet?

Review: Maybelline Fit Me Range

I never get excited to try drug store foundation, in fact I've been using the same foundation for months now (MAC Studio fix fluid NC15) but when i saw this advertised on TV i knew i had to try it. I purchased mine on a 3 for 2 offer at Boots.

Foundation:

My first thoughts on this foundation was how sleek and expensive the bottle looked. Priced at an inexpensive £8, i purchased the lightest shade in 115. This was my first ever gel-based foundation as i usually purchase full coverage matte foundations and  i wasn't expecting the consistency to be so runny. Never the less i applied the foundation with a brush and my first coverage was sheer/medium as i could still see my blemishes. I applied another layer and extra where it was needed and found the coverage to build and blend well.
The foundation gave a dewy finish which i liked as the winter months and matte foundation began making my skin look extremely dull, although i personally would not wear this in summer as i would have a grease overload! not a good look...

Concealer:

I don't know why but i had high hopes for this. I purchased shade 15 to match the foundation. First application of this, i wasn't expecting the consistency to be so thin but never the less i applied it where it was needed, and i wasn't impressed...it didn't seem to cover anything. My under eye dark circles were still showing, as were the blemishes and red patches. So i applied some more but it really wasn't doing anything for me, and during the day i noticed i had greasy creases under my eyes!...not pretty.
Priced at £5.99 i can honestly say i would not purchase this again.

Powder:

After applying the foundation and concealer, i tried the powder in shade 125 nude beige. I found that it set the foundation well and gave a natural/slightly matte finish but had to be applied again during the day. Priced at a reasonable £5.99, it is a very light-weight powder so if you prefer your powder to give a thick and cakey finish, steer clear of this! Comes as a compact with a mirror and a powder puff.

Overall i was quite pleased with the build-able coverage and dewy finish these 3 products gave my skin although i thought the concealer could have been better.