Life Update | Back to Work & We've Bought a House!

I realised that I haven't given you guys a proper good ol' chatty life update since around October time, and oh my, so much has happened since then.

Back in November, we were still so unsure of what would happen with our early June 2021 wedding. We were back in a lockdown for 4 weeks, guest numbers went back down to 15 from 30 and we just didn't have much hope for a bigger wedding by June. So we made the decision to postpone for the second and hopefully final time for June 2022. 

Liam and I have always wanted to start a family and planned to take that route pretty soon after we had got married. However, the world had other plans meaning we would've had to hold off for a while due to the wedding postponements. After we postponed our wedding for the second time, we had quite a few emotional chats. We both felt so down that our lives had been put on hold because we had never wanted anything more than to start a family together. So, we sat down over Christmas, had a chat and decided to start trying for a baby. Obviously you will all already know that I am pregnant and expecting a baby girl at the end of September. We are so blessed and feel like it was meant to be. 

As you guys know, we have been house hunting for over a year and I'm so thrilled to say that we've finally bought a house! It's been so hard for us as first time buyers and me being furloughed, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster to be honest but I'm so glad we've been able to do it. Our completion date was the 21st May - we haven't yet moved in as we're having to redecorate everywhere and give the place a modern touch. People aren't lying when they say buying a house is stressful and one of the hardest things you'll ever do. I have never been so confused in all my life and all the forms and paperwork were overwhelming and never-ending.

 

After being back on furlough for four months due to the latest lockdown, I finally went back to work on the 13th of April. I couldn't wait to get back in the salon, I never knew I could miss work so much. Since being back, it really has been a struggle for me working the long hours again and getting back into a routine as well as growing a baby, I've just felt so exhausted. Although, how crazy is it to think that I'll only be at work for two and a bit more months before I go on maternity leave?! I'm definitely making the most of being back with the work girls and socialising with clients as I know my maternity leave will come around so quickly now.

As for my little blog, I feel like I've neglected it a lot recently. It's just so hard to find the time when I work full time and going through the house buying process, I'm trying not to exhaust myself out too much. But, I love blogging and will try to stay consistent with it but I can't promise you anything. I will of course keep you all updated on my Instagram so you can follow my pregnancy and house journey on there!

It's a ... | Pregnancy Update

When Liam and I first found out that we were pregnant, we wanted to keep the baby's gender a surprise until the birth. However, our decision quickly changed due to the excitement. So, we ended up booking a well-being and gender scan for when I hit the 16 week mark.

Today I am 16+4 weeks, which is just insane. I can't believe how quick the past few weeks have gone since my 12 week scan. We wanted to find out the gender with our close family instead of in the scan room, so the sonographer got us to close our eyes when she was checking for boy or girl parts. Our baby's umbilical cord was actually hanging down between the legs so I had to go and empty my bladder and have a little wiggle. I was just giggling to myself in the toilet, bouncing around and doing star jumps to get the baby moving. 

The jumping around worked and they were quickly able to determine whether it was a boy or a girl. As for the well-being part, baby is growing absolutely perfect and I also found out that my placenta is at the front, so I won't feel movements until a little later on which was handy to know. 

Just before the scan, we bought a heartbeat teddy, then after the scan was done the sonographer put either a blue or a pink heartbeat teddy in a box for us, somehow without peeking we made it all the way home. I then gave the box to my sister and she filled up a balloon with the correct colour confetti and then we popped it not too long after.

It's a girl!

Liam had been guessing girl since the beginning and I had boy in my mind. We didn't mind what the gender would be as we would love both a boy or a girl. 

As for body changes, my clothes are now starting to get tight, I've been patiently waiting for the shops to re-open so I can buy lots of new and stretchy clothes. From the end of 14 weeks to 15 weeks, I suffered with really bad constant headaches, nothing I done to help would make them go away but luckily, they've now eased! I'm now just having tired spells throughout the day like I did in the first trimester. I've also bought a hypnobirthing book which I'm hoping to start reading with Liam in the coming weeks. 

That's all to update you on for now, we're just so over the moon that we have a little baby girl on the way!

Surprise... I'm pregnant!

I can't even believe I'm writing this, it feels so surreal. You may have already seen the exciting news on my social media over the past week or so but if you haven't, I'm pregnant!

Ahhhh.

This has been the hardest secret Liam and I have ever had to keep. Well, we told our immediate family the day after we found out (before I was 4 weeks), because Liam was too excited, bless him. But waiting to tell the rest of the family and our friends was so hard. All I can say is, people aren't lying when they say the first 12 weeks drag. I feel like I've been waiting an absolute lifetime, yet I feel like how the hell have I gotten to this stage already?

I knew I was pregnant before I even took a test. I just didn't feel myself. I had period-like cramps two weeks before my period was due which never happens! I was constantly tired and struggled with insomnia. And oh my god the bloat in the evenings was unreal! 

 I'm now just over 14 weeks, so I am due at the end of September which feels forever away, but I know it'll come around so quickly! I'm not gonna lie, my first trimester has been pretty interesting. The nausea was so awful. I weren't even being sick, I was just feeling sick 24/7. Along with headaches, dizziness and lots of days spent in bed for the majority of my first trimester, it's been a mixture of good and bad days. I'm so glad that I'm feeling much better now and much more myself!

This is something Liam and I have wanted for such a long time and we are both so over the moon. We are so lucky and grateful to be able to experience this amazing journey.

MALTEASER EASTER CUPCAKES

Following on from my last Easter Baking post, I'm bringing you Malteaser Easter Cupcakes! I was so excited to make these, mainly because of the decoration part. Not to toot my own horn but these were bloody delicious.

Ingredients:

Cupcake Ingredients:

125g Self Raising Flour

150g Light Brown Sugar

150g Unsalted Butter

3 Eggs

25g Cocoa Powder

Buttercream Ingredients + Extras:

125g Unsalted Butter

200g Icing Sugar

150g Malteaser Bar

Malteaser Bunnies (enough for 12 cupcakes)

Malteasers (enough to share between 12 cupcakes)

Method:

For the Cupcakes:

- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees and line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake cases.

- In a bowl, whisk the Unsalted Butter with the Light Brown Sugar until fluffy. Add in the 3 Eggs, Self Raising Flour and Cocoa Powder and whisk until well mixed.

- Evenly distribute the mixture into the 12 cupcake cases.

- Bake in the oven for 20-22 minutes until baked through. Leave on a cooling rack until fully cooled.

For the Buttercream:

- Melt the Malteaser Bar in the microwave or in a saucepan on a hob.

- Pop the Unsalted Butter into a bowl and gradually, slowly whisk in the Icing Sugar until it is all combined. Then, up the speed on your whisk and mix until smooth and fluffy.

- Add the melted Malteaser chocolate to the Buttercream and mix in until smooth.

For the Decoration:

- Pipe the Buttercream onto the cupcakes. (I couldn't find my piping set so I had to make do with a teaspoon and butter knife).

- Then add the Malteasers and the Bunnies to the cupcakes, decorating how you wish. (I managed to get my hands on a bag which included the full size bunnies, mini bunnies and the Malteaser balls all in one bag which worked out cheaper than buying them all separately).

These were super easy to make, I can't wait to do this again with different chocolate treats.

MINI EGG COOKIE SQUARES

If you know me personally, you will know that I never bake and if I do, it's usually a good ol' box of Betty Crocker cake mix. This is the first ever time I've baked from scratch and honestly, I could take this up as a hobby! I decided that I wanted to bake some Easter treats this year and had so much fun making these Mini Egg Cookie Squares.

Ingredients:

275g Plain Flour

1 tbsp Cornflour

1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

1/2 tsp of Salt

115g Unsalted Butter

55g Granulated Sugar

135g Light Brown Sugar

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

300g Mini Eggs

100g Milk Chocolate Chips

Method:

- Preheat your oven to 190 degrees and line a square baking tin with parchment paper.

- Mix in a bowl, the Plain Flour, Bicarbonate of Soda, Cornflour and Salt together and leave to the side.

- In another bowl, add the Unsalted Butter, both the Light Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar and whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Then, add in the Egg and Vanilla Extract and whisk until smooth again. 

- Then, add in the ingredients from the first bowl which you left aside and mix in with a spatula. Milk Choc Chips can now be added as well as the Mini Eggs (leave about 15/20 of them to the side), again fold these in with a spatula to create a thick cookie dough.

- Once all folded in, put the mixture into the baking tin - you may have to press it in with your spatula or fingers. After it's all even and level, you can then grab the remaining 15/20 Mini Eggs and press them into the top of the mixture. 

- Bake the traybake in the oven for 20-24 minutes.

- Leave the traybake to cool off for about 10 minutes, then remove the cookie from the tin and put onto a cooling rack to cool further. Once cooled, cut the cookie traybake into squares.

I was honestly so chuffed with how these turned out! I know cookies can be a bit hit and miss on timing so I thought they would either be undercooked or burnt but they were the perfect in-between. Family also gave great feedback on these Easter treats and wanted me to bake them again.

My Self-Care Sunday Afternoon

I love a good self-care sesh and a Sunday is one of my favourite days to do that. Mainly because it's my day off, but also because it's the perfect day to unwind, relax and prepare for the week ahead.

I love to have a good ol' candlelit bubble bath. I light my favourite candles and either pop them around the bath or on my bath tray - this is one of my favourite ways to de-stress and relax. 
My skin changes so much when the seasons change, so I like to do a good proper skincare routine and slap a face mask on.

Whilst my face mask is on, I also like to apply a hair mask too. My blonde hair can get very dull, brassy, and dry, especially at the moment as I haven't been able to get it done, so a good hair mask always manages to replenish it and freshen it up.

I also like to put fresh sheets on my bed along with jumping into clean pyjamas. There's nothing like getting into fresh sheets with fresh PJs on, right? I then like to make myself a vanilla latte or a hot chocolate and grab the blankets and sprawl out on the sofa binging a Netflix series or TV show.

How do you spend a self-care day?

A NEXT Beauty Box for Only £20?

I have been so excited to write this post for you all, because did you know that Next did beauty boxes?  Neither did I. It actually came to such a shock for me, because of the amount of times I've shopped their website and I've never come across them.

This is my first ever beauty box. I have considered Glossybox and Cohorted before, but I never got round to trying them out. I was so close to purchasing the Look Fantastic beauty box over Christmas but I was too late to the game as it sold out so quickly.

Next currently have a range of different boxes at different prices. I decided to go for the Self-Care Beauty Edit Box for £20, because as soon as I saw that Bobbi Brown, Smashbox and TooFaced were included in this box, I was sold!

Next states "As with all our Next beauty boxes, the total combined value is based on full-size and travel-sized items only; sample-sized items (that may read 'not for resale') are NOT counted in this value."

Next also states that this box is worth over £70, which just didn't add up to me. How can two full sized products and three travel-sized products add up to over £70? So, I decided to do a little bit of research beforehand to see how much the box is really worth. Adding up the full sized and the travel-sized products, this box is actually worth over £50 - coming in at exactly £53.95.

Even though their calculations aren't correct, I still think it's definitely worth paying £20 for as it includes some amazing brands and pricey products that I've always wanted to try but didn't want to splurge my money on before trying them first.

Overall, we have some great little products in here. I've always wanted to try Bobbi Browns Vitamin Enriched Face Base - it is sample sized but a little always goes a long way with Bobbi Brown so I'm chuffed. 

I have also wanted to give the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara a go for a while but never got round to it as I always had lash extensions on, so I'm glad that I can finally try it. 

The Rabot Liquid Chocolate Body Mask smells absolutely incredible, it literally smells like you've just whisked up a chocolate cake mix. This product is hefty and will most probably last me a while, I just can't wait to smell like chocolate 24/7.

Reflecting on my 2020 Goals + A Few Goals for 2021

 I'm sitting here on this early Monday morning wondering where the heck to even begin because I literally haven't posted on my blog since late November. I have also been so undecided on whether to post this or not as it's a little late to the party, but I suppose it's better late than never, right? 

2020 was a year to remember wasn't it!? I didn't really have any goals for 2020 as Liam and I had some big things planned which we wanted to focus on, but unfortunately those plans weren't able to go ahead. However, I did mention exercise and losing a bit of weight which, with the help of lockdown, I actually achieved and stuck to, as well as actually taking exercise up as a hobby. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd admit to enjoying exercise.

Like last year, I don't have many goals for 2021. The goals that I want to achieve are more for self-care and wellbeing, which I think sprouted from the rough year we had last year. However, I am determined to focus on them, and hopefully come out of 2021 as an even more positive person.

Take each day as it comes

Don't stress over things I can't control

Appreciate the little things in life

Take time off social media more often

Improve my skincare routine

Three of these goals have derived from the past year we've had. I'm not going to lie, I have found it really difficult at times. But 2021 is a fresh year, it hasn't started off great but I'm trying not to be a negative Nancy and more of a positive Polly and just take each day as it comes.

Since Christmas, I have taken a few well needed breaks here and there from social media, and it has done wonders for my mental health. At first, I actually thought that I would struggle because I check social media multiple times daily, even more so at the moment as I'm not back at work yet. 

I usually just randomly check social media throughout the day without even thinking about clicking on the apps. Half the time, I don't even need to check social media or I was only on it about thirty minutes prior. I found it easier during my social media break if I logged out of each social and put them in a separate folder on my phone, I didn't seem to find myself looking for the apps. Whereas, when I left them where they always have been, I just click on them out of habit, it's like a routine. I've told myself to definitely take breaks more often when I need to this year.

Lastly, there's always room to improve your skincare regime. I personally feel like I have been so slack over the past few months with my skin. I'm slowly getting myself back into a routine and I'm hoping to stick to it and try new products.

A Christmas Gift Guide For Her

 I thought having bought and wrapped everything by the second week of December last year was impressive for me, but my organisation for Christmas this year is on a whole other level. I mean, what else is there to do in lockdown 2.0? Here is this years gift guide for the lovely ladies in your life, or yourselves if you see anything you want to pop onto your Christmas list.

First up, I'm going to start with skincare. Of course I have included Charlotte Tilburys Magic Cream - more on the pricey side but an absolute staple. There's not many people I know that don't use this moisturiser, it's an actual godsend. Sticking with high-end skincare, Bobbi Brown is also a must have. My sister in-law loves Bobbi Brown products and when I saw this Prep & Prime Set, I just had to get it. It includes a 50ml Face Base (vitamin enriched primer and moisturiser) and a 15ml Eye Base (vitamin enriched primer and eye cream). I swear by Bobbi Brown skincare and a little goes a very long way with their products too!

Of course I had to add in the famous YSL Black Opium perfume. You really cannot go wrong with this gift. Do shop around for this as it is a little on the expensive side but a lot of places discount it around Black Friday and the weeks leading up to Christmas.

 My sister in-law and her boyfriend bought their first home in the Summer and I thought it would be a lovely idea to get them something meaningful for their first Christmas in their first home. I almost forgot that you can personalise Yankee Candles, and I'm so glad I remembered. Her favourite Yankee is cinnamon stick, so I went with that fragrance and personalised it with a photo of them both and a message. A Yankee Candle is such a lovely gift anyway, but it being personalised just makes it so much more thoughtful and special. (The Yankee Candle is turned for privacy).

On the lines of personalisation, another meaningful gift is handwritten jewellery. When my nanny passed away last year, I thought it would be such a lovely idea to get some jewellery with my nannys handwriting on for my mums birthday. By the time I thought of it, I never got round to doing it or found anything with nannys writing on. However, as I've had more time this year to sort through bits, I managed to find her writing in old birthday cards. So for mums birthday this year, she will be getting a dainty bracelet with her mums handwriting on which she can treasure forever.

 It was a super quick turnaround time and such amazing quality that we have done the same for Liam's mum for Christmas. As Liam's mum constantly wears her Pandora bracelet, we decided to get a charm which is compatible with Pandora. Liam's auntie went into her loft for us to dig out old photos and cards with Liam's nannys writing on and we managed to put something together. It's just so special and we can't wait to gift these. Inscripture are also able to do handprints and footprints as well as ashes and hair. I highly recommend them!

A 2021 diary/planner. Hopefully we can all make use of  a diary next year to plan things. I love this rose gold and navy Matilda Myres weekly diary. There is also a travel plan section too which, hopefully we'll be able to fill out. If you're looking for a cute, girly planner then Matilda Myres is your gal.

You can't go wrong with a makeup bag can you? They always get used, whether it's for everyday use or used as a travel makeup bag. For me, Ted Baker is the one when it comes to makeup bags. They're always fantastic quality and I find they last a good few years.

This Bobbi Brown bronzer is just gorgeous. It's such a natural, rosy, glowy product - perfect for everyday wear as it's not over the top or heavy. Another must-have makeup item is the Benefit Precisely, My Brow pencil. I only very recently purchased this for myself after my sister had recommended it to me and it is hands down one of the best brow products I've ever used. You can use it lightly for a natural brow or harder for more of a bold brow. I think everyone needs to own this little number.

And that finishes off this years Christmas gift guide - for her! I hope you found some of these ideas helpful. Are you ridiculously organised like me and finished your Christmas shopping? Or have you even started yet? Let me know!

x

Lets Have a Catch Up - Where I've Been

I've been pretty quiet for the past couple of months and it is just mainly down to my mental health and things going on in my life. I have been struggling and there has been times that have been pretty dark. But, it's ok to not be ok and go through rough patches here and there, even though I feel like the whole of 2020 has been one massive rough patch.

I finally went back to work in August, can you believe that I had a whole FIVE months off!? The first couple of months I was off work were great, but then things got boring and I was itching to get back. It was weird being back, doing the same things but so different.

Liam and I headed to London for what would've been our wedding day and we had the best time! We got a train down that morning and opened our cards and gifts on the train. We stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Tower Bridge who were kind enough to upgrade our room so we had a beautiful view of London. We had booked the London Eye, so we headed there after dropping off our bags at the hotel and just had a chilled afternoon walking around London. Then, we went to The Shard in the evening for dinner. It was so lovely, however I feel like Liam and I didn't really fit in. It was very posh haha. We booked our table for around 7pm which was when the sun was about to set so we saw the most stunning view of London during the day and in the evening. It was just beautiful.

We are trying to buy a house. At the moment, it's difficult for first time buyers and it doesn't help that I have been part furloughed at work too. But, we are really trying our best and have everything crossed that we will be able to do it.

What's happening with the wedding? I'm not too sure myself. The numbers went back down to 15 from 30 and to be honest, I don't have much hope for a bigger wedding by June. Liam and I need to decide what's best for us but at the moment, we're not too sure ourselves. We don't know whether to bring the wedding forward and just go ahead with an intimate wedding or to just postpone again until 2022/2023. The thing is, we would like to be in our own home once we're married, so I think it'll all depend on what happens in the next few months or so regarding the house situation.

Lastly, I am back on Slimming World. I have properly been on it for about a month now and I'm not gonna lie, I've had a couple of weeks where I just gave up. It's hard for me to eat clean when my mental health is low but I'll get there. I'm determined to get my body back to how I want it.

I hope you're all doing well and taking care of yourselves.

x

My Travel Bucket List - UK & Abroad

I'm not lying when I say that my travel bucket list is long. It's loooong and to be honest, I could probably add more places. I've had to turn my Pinterest travel board into separate boards for different destinations.

Manchester

Liverpool

Newcastle

Leeds

Brighton

The Cotswolds

Wales

Lake District

Quite a few big cities around the UK are on this list - Manchester and Leeds have both been my top two to visit but I have never gotten round to visiting. I've been to Swansea in Wales once for a football game, and the views on the way there were just stunning and since that day, I've wanted to go back for a weekend away. The Lake District is actually very new on my list, since constantly seeing gorgeous photos on Instagram, I will definitely visit one day. 

Iceland

Mauritius

Bali 

America

Australia

Greece

The Maldives

The Caribbean Islands

Iceland is on the top of my list, I've been wanting to visit for a couple of years now, depending on the travel situation it'll be either next year or 2022. We were meant to have our honeymoon in Mauritius, we're meant to be there right now actually, but unfortunately the world changed that, but it's still on my bucket list. Bali is another recent destination I'd love to visit one day, the whole place just looks beautiful. America and Australia have always been my dream to visit since I was little. I've still never done Disneyworld, so that'll be a holiday with our future kids I reckon.

Have you been to any of these places yourselves? Let me know your opinions or any recommendations!

My Current Haircare Routine

A shampoo I've been loving at the minute is the Goldwell Rich Repair Restoring Shampoo. The clue is in the name, it's for dry and damaged hair and as mine is bleached, I definitely fit in that category. I love everything about this shampoo; the consistency, the smell, it works and the price tag - you can usually get it on offer on Salons Direct. 

Another shampoo I swear by is the Goldwell Blondes & Highlights Anti-Yellow Shampoo. It's a purple shampoo and I tend to use this once I've just had my hair done and it needs toning down, as well as when my blonde starts going dull and I want to bring a bit of life back into it - probably around five/six weeks after I've had it coloured. 

This shampoo, along with Matrix are the only purple shampoos that don't dry my hair out. I don't know what are in the rest of them that I've tried, but they make my hair so dry and really knotty after washing it. So finding two that don't make my hair worse off is amazing. 

The conditioner I've been using and loving is the BedHead Oil Infused Colour Goddess Conditioner. Around the start of this year, I had also been using the shampoo from this range, but because I have oily hair and the product itself is oil infused, it of course made my hair oilier at the root - so, I scrapped using the shampoo and stuck by the conditioner. It smells lush too, just like a warm, caramel/toffee smell.

I have been using the Schwarzkopf Blondeme Keratin Restore Mask for the majority of this year and I can honestly say it's the best I've used. I only need to use this mask once a week and a little really goes a long way with the product. After leaving it on for around 10 minutes, it really nourishes and hydrates your hair and makes it so much easier to detangle too. It smells gorgeous which also lingers in your hair after you've washed it off. 

You know when your hair blows in the wind and you sometimes get a waft of your nice smelling shampoo? Well, that's the same with this hair mask.

I've always used Schwarzkopf thermal protection sprays as they all smell amazing, work wonders and the majority of the time they're on offer in most places. But one I keep going back to recently is their Got2B Guardian Angel Heat Protection Spray. It protects up to 220 degree heat and can be used on damp and dry hair. When used on dry hair, it doesn't leave any residue, it dries in pretty quickly so you can easily get on and straighten or curl your hair straight away.

An oil I've been using on my hair for years is Wella Oil Reflections. I think it'll forever be in my haircare routine as it is honestly a magic treatment for the ends of the hair. I've actually made my mum use it for the past year as her hair never used to grow past a certain length and honestly, I've never seen her hair so long and so healthy. The ends also aren't as split as they used to be either which is incredible. Mum also recommends the Wella oil too!

What have you been using on your hair recently? Or have you tried anything I've been using?

Four Ways I Deal With Stress

I was planning on writing up a life update blog post, but I'm going through a lot of personal stuff right now and even though I'm very honest and open with you all, I know a lot of other people have been struggling with stress and anxiety at the moment too, so instead of you reading a lengthy blog post full of negativity, instead, I want to share my four ways I've been dealing with stress and hope it can help some of you too.

This is a very new way I deal with stress. I never thought I would be saying this, but exercising really does help me take my mind off of things. Following a routine, I'm focused and with stress on my mind it seems to make me work harder too. 

Music has always been my therapy, and always will be. My earphones are my happy place. I don't really listen to anything in particular. If anything, when I'm sad, listening to sad music helps me - some of you might think that's absolutely bonkers. But, I feel like it's a way for me to connect to the song itself. It just works for me.

If things do get too much for me, I write down how I'm feeling as it helps to clear my head a little. I also write down to-do lists and spread things out over multiple days by importance. This has always worked wonders for me! Each day, I look at my to-do list and focus on what needs to be done on that particular day and nothing else.

Just breathe and focus on the present. I'm a nightmare for over-thinking into the future and what's to come. I've been worse since COVID has happened because our wedding, honeymoon, hen and stag do's, buying our first home and trying for a baby have all been put on hold and I have honestly been so stressed about it all. But, every day, I take about 5 minutes in the evening to just breathe and focus on my breathing to release the stress, even if it is for only 5 minutes. Also, telling myself that I'm lucky to be alive and healthy and to be happy with what I have at this moment in time.

How do you deal with stress? Is there anything else you'd recommend?

Accepting the Norm of Cellulite & Stretch Marks

I remember being around 14 years old when I first noticed a few faint stretch marks on my hips and it really bothered me. I guess in your early teens, you do naturally worry about things like that.

As I've grown up, I have struggled with my stretch marks and wobbly legs. My legs have always been a huge insecurity for me, literally everything I eat goes straight to my thighs and since putting on a lot of weight over the past two years, my self confidence hasn't been great.

Since following Slimming World and doing regular exercise, I have noticed some very vivid stretch marks on the backs of my legs - from the backs of my knees going all the way down. So, I have since become even more insecure about my legs. I'm not going to lie to you, it really bothered me when I first noticed them, and to be honest, they still do bother me some days.

No matter how many creams and oils you buy and try, stretch marks are bloody hard to get rid of. Red/purple stretch marks are fairly new and dermatologists say that they are easier to treat as the skin is still in the process of healing. Whereas, white stretch marks are older and a lot more difficult to treat but laser is an option.

Of course, for my stretch marks I've been using Bio Oil everyday, sometimes twice a day. I've heard many mixed opinions on Bio Oil but it seems to work for me, especially if used correctly and consistently.

I bought the Burts Bees Belly Butter back in January after doing some research on best rated skincare products for stretch marks. It is actually highly rated by women who are pregnant. No, I'm not pregnant but I thought I'd give it a go as it was highly recommended for stretch marks on the belly during pregnancy. It absorbs super quick, however there isn't really a smell to it. I usually like a scent to my products but it's not the end of the world! It is a great little product, and I will continue to use it when the time comes for babies.

I have been using these products almost every day after showering since I noticed the stretch marks on my legs and I have noticed a big difference. They haven't completely disappeared but they have definitely faded really well, so I will just carry on using them during my weight loss.

I was in my late teens when I started noticing cellulite appear on the back of my thighs. It weren't that noticeable and didn't actually bother me as much as stretch marks did. My mum always said it was hereditary but honestly, I have seen very few women that don't actually have cellulite. Over the years I have found that regular exercise and a good diet really helps with maintaining minimal cellulite.

I had been using the Clarins Anti-Cellulite cream for years. I wouldn't say I'm in a consistent routine like I am with my stretch marks products. But, this really has worked wonders for me. It smells so nice and it does minimise cellulite and helps my legs to appear smoother. I feel like if I used it morning as well as evening every day, I would get a lot better results from it.

After hearing great things about this product, I purchased the Mio Cellulite Smoother at the start of the year and to be honest, I haven't touched my Clarins product since. This product smells like the strongest mint toothpaste you can get, but unlike the Clarins cream, you can feel this one working as it gives you a tingling sensation. But again, it gives the exact same results as the Clarins Anti-Cellulite cream.

I included both of these cellulite products in this post as they both work wonders. Even though Clarins is a better smelling product, I would rather be using a product that is half the price, and you can feel it working and gives the exact same results. And, if Mio ever discontinues, I would go back to Clarins, always.

I've only recently managed to accept that cellulite and stretch marks are completely normal, even though I still have some days when they bother me. Social media has had a huge impact on my self-confidence too. All these perfect, gorgeous and slim Instagram influencers, you've got to remember that majority of the time, their pictures are edited and filtered. Again, it's only recently I've learnt to never compare yourself to anyone else - on social media or not. You are you, and you should love yourself.

Pretty much everyone has stretch marks and cellulite, it's just being human. I now see stretch marks and cellulite as stories; growing up, weight gain/loss and pregnancy, all beautiful in every way and I believe that everyone should see it that way too.

Twenty Three.

*Dress was kindly gifted to me from Femme Luxe Finery*

It's my birthday! Today I turned 23 years old, how did this happen!? It doesn't seem right that I'm 23 already, getting married and about to buy a house. It's gone crazy quick and it actually scares me how quick the next 23 years will go. Here are 23 things I've learnt in 23 years.

1. Don't worry about what other people think

2. Make time for yourself 

3. My parents were right about everything

4. Mental health is important

5. Live in the moment 

6. Trust your gut instinct

7. It's ok to say no

8. Put yourself first

9. Don't compare yourself to other people

10. Accept who you are

11. Friends and family are everything

12. Take each day as it comes

13. Set goals

14. Everything happens for a reason

15. You can't please everyone 

16. Don't take life too seriously

17. Stop worrying about money

18. Skincare is important

19. Travel while you can

20. Music is my escape

21. Everyone has their own timeline

22. Do what's best for you

23. Don't give up

Here's to twenty three!

A Birthday Makeup Look

My birthday is in a few days and as my 23rd birthday will be a little different compared to other birthdays over the years, I decided that I'd still like to get dressed up and do my makeup how I usually would do on my birthday.

The very first thing I do is fill in my eyebrows, I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade in the shade 'Taupe'. Then to neaten up my brows, I outline them with the NARS Creamy Concealer in the shade 'Vanilla'. I find that this the perfect shade for me, it's not too light or too warm - so it's great for my pale days as well as when I have tan on.

Moving onto my eyes, I smother my lashes in Revitalash Serum, it's honestly been a god send since taking a break from my lash extensions - the growth of my lashes in only 4 months is insane. Then, I prep my lids using the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer, it's been my fave for years and does its job, so will forever be my go to.

I've decided to use the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette as there's a decent range of smoky shades and shimmers. Using 'Foxy' as a base, 'Busted' and 'Snakebite' for depth in the crease and a mix of 'Half Baked' and 'YDK' on the lid. Using the shade 'Verve' as a highlight, I apply this in the inner corners of my eyes and underneath my brows.

For my face, using my all time favourite, the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in the shade 'Stromboli'. Then going back in with the NARS Creamy Concealer in the shade 'Vanilla', to brighten the eye area I apply this under my eyes and on any blemishes and then blend the concealer out with a beauty blender. To add some definition, I use the Benefit Hoola Bronzer to contour my nose, cheekbones, jawline and the top of my head. After blending out the bronzer, I set the rest of my face using the Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder in the shade 'Light to Medium' or 'Medium' depending on what shade of tan I've used. 

Then, I apply my lashes. Being a lash tech whilst in lockdown, I actually made these curly, volume strip lashes myself. I've already tested them and they actually turned out so much better than I thought they would, so I'm well chuffed. However, if I didn't make my own strip lashes I would've used the Ardell Double Wispies.  To blend the strips in with my natural lashes, I use my all time fave mascara that I always end up going back to, the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara and I also apply it to my bottom lashes too.

For my lips, I'm going with my go-to everyday fave. I line them with the MAC Lip Pencil in the colour 'Stripdown' and then go in with the MAC Matte Lipstick in the colour 'Honeylove'. It's honestly the best lip combo.

Lastly to set everything in place, I use the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and just spritz it all over my face. This is another one of my all time favourites that I've been using for years, it just does what it's meant to.

Tan-Luxe Face Self Tanning Drops

I have had this on my wish-list for a while and contemplated buying it for a couple of reasons. Number one, I had heard amazing reviews but also heard many negative reviews too. And number two, the price tag - it's £35 for a 30ml bottle.

When I tan, I used to tan my face using leftover tan from my mitt. But, because I wear makeup almost everyday and I cleanse and exfoliate regularly, it does fade ever so quick - usually within two days. I then have to rely on my foundation to colour match and if I do have a makeup free day within this time, well you guys know, I'm naturally super pale so I end up having a very pale face and a tanned body. So that's when I decided to give in and give this little beauty of a product a go. 

You'll be pleased to know that it ticks all the boxes, it is vegan friendly and cruelty free. 

The design of Tan-Luxe is a luxurious-looking glass bottle with a pipette dispenser. The bottle comes in a very good quality white case which is perfect to keep the bottle clean. You can purchase it in two shades - either light to medium or medium to dark. I got light to medium for a natural glow and I decided it was the best one to go with my tan.

I first tried this product out when I didn't have a tan, hoping for a nice glow and to look less ghostly - big mistake! As you don't see a difference straight away, it's easy to add more drops. The next day, I definitely noticed a difference. I had such a bad uneven line under my jawline and onto my neck that I had to apply makeup for the following three days to cover it.

Surprisingly it doesn't actually smell of fake tan. It smells more fruity and perfumed than anything. When I was actually looking up on the ingredients for this, raspberry seed oil is included which is when I clicked - it really does smell of raspberries.

The consistency is runny but more of a serum like consistency.  

You simply add a few drops to your everyday moisturiser, serum or face oil and apply it like you usually would. The amount of drops depends on your target colour/glow. The application is really good, it feels like you're applying your moisturiser/serum like you usually do. One thing I will say upon applying, make sure to get right up and around the hairline, corners of the nose, right around the lips and eyebrows and blend it properly around your jawline and neck. You can't actually see where you've applied it so make sure you cover every little area of your face because you will notice if you miss any patches the next day.

It matches my tan so well. I use Bondi Sands light to medium and let it develop overnight for around 9 hours and with Tan-Luxe, I mix no more than 2 drops into my moisturiser. I couldn't even lie to you when I say the colour match is 100% perfect. I feel like you need a little play around with it for the first couple of weeks to see how many drops you need to get the right depth and colour.

It's hard to say how often I use this as I go by how my actual tan fades. But usually, I now apply Tan-Luxe to my face the same night I tan my body and then use it for the next two or three days when doing my skincare in the mornings. It fades out really nicely and in sync with my Bondi Sands tan. It doesn't end up going patchy either which is amazing.

It doesn't give off an orange colour at all. It makes me look more awake - especially if I'm having a makeup free day, it gives me a really nice glow. I struggle with tan going patchy and dry on my chin and nose after a couple of days, but with this face tanner it doesn't do that at all.

Overall, I'm so glad that I ended up buying this little gem as it is now included in my everyday routine when I have tan on.