Bump and I | Things I've Learnt During Pregnancy

Almost 21 weeks here

Pregnancy, the most amazing thing two people can do is bring life into the world. Pete and I were so excited when we found out we were expecting, although to be honest, I think my mum was more excited than the both of us. Here are just a few things I've learnt during my time:

1. Nobody is nicer to you: 

The amount of people that will push in front of you to get on the train in the morning is ridiculous, nobody cares if you stand up on the train while you're with child, as long as they have a seat. 

A girl I know told me she stood up on the bus while she was almost full term and not one person offered her a seat. Would you let an elderly person or a disabled person stand up? Ask yourself that next time you see a pregnant lady. 

Another friend told me some elderly ladies told her she had "ruined her life" she's 26 and married! Talk about judging a book by it's cover. 

2. Icepops cure everything: 

Morning sickness is the worst thing a woman will experience. I was really lucky and didn't throw up a lot (tmi, I know, sorry!) but I was nauseous ALL the time, I never wanted to eat anything and the smell of food alone was enough to make me want to hurl everywhere. I lived off icepops for the first 12 weeks and they are a god send, they're great to stop the nausea and the icy goodness is so refreshing. 

3. Don't spend a fortune on maternity wear:

If you're like most people, you probably won't have a bump until 20 weeks (I've had mine since about 14 weeks). I have a few maternity pieces, but I've gotten away with wearing some of my normal clothes for this long. You won't have time to wear so many different items - yes it's frustrating having a limited wardrobe (especially as mine is sooo big) but change it up with different accesories :) 

4. It's okay to eat Heinz spaghetti bolognese for breakfast:

After I got over my sick phase, all I wanted was Heinz tinned spaghetti bolognese, yes it's disgusting, but I hadn't been eating properly for weeks and my body really needed wanted it. I'm a savoury person as it is, so eating cereal for breakfast only happens on rare occasions when I feel like it, and now I uave an excuse to eat what I want when I want. Now I'm hungry ALL the time! 

5. Feeling your baby move inside you is the best thing ever:

Coming to terms with the fact something is growing inside you is hard - in fact I still can't believe it after four scans, and several listens to baby's heartbeat! When you feel that baby flutter inside you for the first time, it's the most exciting thing in the world, it feel likes little butterflies. Baby Walker is very active now, and every night about 8pm, she/ he will suddenly start moving loads, and the movements feel so much stronger. Pete can feel some movements now and it's such a special thing to share - okay, okay, I'll stop gushing! 

So those are the things I've learnt during my 5ish months of pregnancy. So remember, if you see a pregnant lady standing up on the bus/ train offer her a seat, it will make her day!

Rachael xo

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Wishlist | Accessories Edition

1. Flower Bun Garlands | 2. Winged Ring | 3. Cat Ring | 4. Watch | 5. Sandals (Primark) | 6. Winged Sandals | 7. Midi Rings

I haven't posted a wishlist since my Stepping into Spring post and that feels like a life time ago! Since I cannot buy any pretty clothes this Summer, I've decided I'm going to treat myself to lots of new accessories. It occurred to me whilst doing this post, I don't own many accessories, so it seems pretty apt. 

For those who know me, I love having a massive, messy bun and these little bun accessories are perfect for making them look so much cuter and put together. I'm definitely going to be purchasing a few of these beauties. 

I already own the Primark sandals in black and they're so comfy and cute I know I'll be purchasing the white ones as soon as I get paid. I doubt many of these items will stay on my wishlist for long and will end up in my basket - maybe everything apart from the winged sandals which are waaay out of my budget, but pretty amazing yes? 

Do you like the items I'm lusting after?

Rachael xo

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Personal | #100 Happy Days

THE IDEA

So you've probably seen the #100happydays tag floating round your social networking sites. The idea behind 100 Happy Days is to encourage people to find something to be happy about each day, pretty simple right? I think it's pretty sad that 71% of people failed to complete this challenge due to lack of time. Why should we not have time to be happy? 

I had a pretty rough 2013, but 2014 is starting to look up which is great, and how better to document it than a tag like this? Even when days are rough, it's good motivation to think, what made me happy today for my tag? 

THE RULES

1. Submit a picture of something that made you happy that day

2. Remember, this tag is for YOU - not anybody else

3. Register here http://100happydays.com/

4. Decide your platform for sharing photos, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

5. Decide your privacy - create your own hashtag or simply tag #100happydays

THE REASON

This tag has been designed to remind people to be happy - we all deserve some happiness! I know I've been in a much better mood since starting it. It's also great to see what makes other people happy! 

Have you signed up to the #100happydays? 

Link me below so I can see what makes you happy

Rachael xo

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Sunday Snapshots | #005

Favourite ice cream | Baby's foot at 20 weeks | Aero after a hard day| Sleepover at mum and dad's | went to see Brand New | Selfie before Brand New | Mcfly-iversary selfie | Went to see McBusted | Decorating (or destroying our new home)

This week has been such an amazing week, on Monday, Peter and I went for our 20 week scan - everything is great with baby and sonographer was very happy. 

On Wednesday, my mum asked me to sleep over at her house as she was on call and she needed someone to look after my brothers all responsible people were out. I stayed there for two days as we had an electrician go to our new house to fit a new consumer box. 

The bank holiday weekend has just been absolutely fantastic, on Friday,  Pete and I went to see Brand New and despite the fact they played some songs from Daisy, they were on top form and the setlist was great. Yesterday, we went to see McBusted for our McFly-iversary - yep that's an actual thing. Pete took me to see Mcfly for our first date (a surprise first date may I add), and since then we've been to see them every Spring. It was the best night ever. I will NEVER stop fan girling over Tom Fletcher, 24 or not! 

Today, we popped over to the new house to strip some walls. Yes, that's Pete on a ladder doing some grafting! It's a rare sight so it had to be papped. After we did that, we went to my mum and dad's for Sunday lunch and home made brownies, yum. 

All in all, it's been an amazing week. 

Have you enjoyed your bank holiday weekend?

Rachael xo

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OOTD | Bump Edition 21 Weeks

Vest top: Primark // Skirt: Primark // Shoes: Primark // Denim jacket: New Look (old)

Bag: New Look (old) //Flower crown: River Island (old)

Who says you can't rock head to toe in Primark? I have mostly been stressed about clothes recently due to my ever growing bump. Tonight, I went to see McBusted and threw together this little monochrome number. At the moment, I can get away with still wearing some of my usual clothes which is quite lucky! None of the clothes I have on are maternity (I hope you can tell I'm pregnant and I don't look too frumpy).

I bought these sandals last week from Primark and have been dying to wear them since I got them! They're super comfy and the straps are adjustable which is just perfect - especially when my feet may swell. I might just be purchasing them in white as well! 

What do you think of my outfit? 

Rachael xo

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Sunday Snapshots | Week #004

Back to 9-5 life | Dominos | Splash of colour for Spring | Goodies from superdrug

Fell over and cut my hand :( | New Barry M nail varnish | My little brothers turned 9 | My dad's cupcakes

Alcohol free drinks at The Brink, Liverpool | Brink Panther cocktail | Presents for Baby Walker | Wild Saturday night in

I'm such a naughty blogger as this is my first post since last week's Sunday Snapshots! In my defence, I've just started my new job, yep, after temping for over a year, I finally have a permanent job. Getting into the routine of working 9-5.30 again is hard going, so I've mostly been relaxing all week.

Pete and I picked up the keys to our new house this week, so we are officially home owners! It's all very exciting, despite how much work we want doing to the house, and how stressful moving can be, I'm really looking forward to it. 

I took a nasty fall on Wednesday this week and cut my hand :( boo! Sorry if any of you are squeamish! 

My friend from Ireland was over in Liverpool yesterday, so we went for some food at Almost Famous (best ever place), alcohol free cocktails at a gorgeous little place called The Brink which is a dry bar, and she bought Baby Walker the most adorable present from the Disney Store - thanks Steph. 

Today, I've spent the day watching films and napping on the bean bag today as I'm exhausted from the week I've had! 

How are you spending your Sunday?

Rachael xo

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Sunday Snapshots | Week #003

Favourite hand products | Pregnancy food | Salmon, veg and potatoes | Poptarts and tea | Off to an interview| Popcorn and movie night | Skelita Calaveras and Venus McFlytrap | Pamper night | Facemasks!

For once, I've actually had a rather busy week! The start of the week was quite slow, but I had two interviews at the end of the week, one was for a temporary job which I didn't get (but was glad about!) and the other was for a permanent job and I start on Monday! Go me! 

My little brother came for a sleepover, which he was calling his "spar day" - yes spar with an "r" but he is only 8! We did each other's makeup, ate popcorn and put face masks on, while Pete took my other brother (twins eh?) to the wrestling.

I'm now off for a roast dinner at my mum's - perfect end to a lovely week! 

What did you get up to this week?

Rachael xo

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Nails | Kiss the Girl

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Every time Barry M release a new collection, I squeal a little bit inside. The new aquarium nail paints just scream The Little Mermaid don't they? I've held off buying any new nail varnish for a while because I have so many, but while they were two for £6 in Superdrug, I couldn't help myself. 

I was pretty spoilt for choice, given all the colours in this collection are so beautiful, but having a train to catch, I had to make my decision pretty quickly and came home with Mediterranean and Mermaid. 

Mediterranean is the most gorgeous two tone polish (this photo does not do it justice at all). It is copper with a pink and gold sheen, perfect for a trip to the beach as the duo chrome colours will catch in the light. I love two tone nail varnishes, and will definitely be sporting this during the sunny weather. May well be digging out some forgotten favourites as well! 

Mermaid is chunky, gritty glitter (very similar to the Models Own Glitter Ball collection). It comes out in shards, which makes it different to your standard hex glitter. You really do need two coats of Mermaid to achieve a much better effect on the nail, here I've only done one. They gold, blue and green in the glitter really make it very mermaid like, and what girl doesn't want to be a mermaid? 

Have you tried the Aquarium Collection?

Rachael xo

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Nails | Hand and Nail Care

Soap and Glory Hand Food 125ml £5.00

OPI Avoplex 15ml £16.50

OPI Nail Envy 15ml £18.65 

When I was younger, I had a terrible habit of biting the skin on my hands (gross, I know) and my nails. I, thankfully, grew out of the hand biting, and one day just decided to stop biting my nails. I don't understand how people find it hard to break the habit, I just told myself I wasn't going to do it anymore and I didn't. Anyway, enough of my ramblings! 

Having stopping biting my nails, they've always been quite weak and flimsy. A couple of years ago, I developed a nail varnish addiction and now I'm obsessed with nail growth and having long nails to show off my beautiful nail varnish collection with. 

Hand creams are a difficult one because my skin often gets used to certain products so that I no longer feel the benefit of them. One hand cream I particularly love, that proves to be very popular in the blogging world, is the Soap and Glory Hand Food. I love anything that contains shea butter and this product does not fail in keeping my hands nourished, as well as smelling absolutely divine! An absolute must for me with hand creams is a none greasy formula! Who wants greasy hands after applying lotion? The fact this sinks in so quickly just makes me love it even more. 

I'm quite lucky in the sense I have quite deep nail beds, so however short my nails are, they still look long and well groomed. Pushing my cuticles back definitely helps keep them looking nice and healthy as well as helping with growth. I recently purchased OPI's Avoplex, which is a cuticle oil, I try to apply this once a week to keep the skin around my nails soft. I find one dip into the bottle is enough to use on one hand. It has a faint orange scent to it, which means it doesn't have a nasty chemical smell to it. I rub this into my nails and hands, wait for 10 minutes for the cuticle to soften, then push them back with a cuticle stick. 

I had heard so much about Nail Envy by OPI, but I begrudged spending £18 on one bottle. Luckily, I found it on eBay with the Avoplex both for £18 so decided to take the plunge. Boy am I glad I did! I've tried Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails before, but this is in a whole new world. I only have to apply one coat and my nails instantly feel strong, great for someone with weak nails, like myself. 

I also try to file my nails once a week to ensure they stay strong - file them in one quick motion rather than back and forth as this can cause breakages and splits. I suggest if you have weak nails, to invest in Nail Envy, it's expensive but it's worth it, and again it doesn't take much to coat one hand. 

What are your holy grail nail products?

Rachael xo

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Beauty | Bath and Body Works Malibu Heat Body Lotion

So at the weekend, I squealed with delight when I realised I had a bottle and a half left of this gorgeous body lotion! 

If you've never heard of the Bath and Body Works, it's a shop in the US, equivalent to The Body Shop. I have been lucky enough to visit Florida three times and without a doubt, a visit to this shop is a must. Their body lotions are to die for! The last time we were there, we spent ages in there smelling every different lotion and deciding which ones we were going to treat ourselves with.

I came home with quite a few different ones as they were on offer, but my favourite by far was Malibu Heat. It has the most beautiful tropical smell of pineapple, orange and coconut milk that will remind anyone of being on holiday. 

I don't normally put body lotion on when I get out of the shower, because I'm just too eager to put my pjs on and relax without waiting for it to dry, so I normally put this on my arms and legs in the summer months when I don't have to worry about waiting for it to dry before getting dressed. 

As all their body lotions have shea butter and vitamin E in, this leaves your skin feeling beautifully soft hydrated and nourished. The lotion is none greasy, which sometimes I find body lotions to be and absorbs quickly into the skin. The scent lasts all day as well, leaving you smelling and feeling fresh. This body lotion is perfect for the summer months.

Unfortunately, Bath and Body Works don't ship to the UK, but there are a few sellers on eBay (I can't find a link unfortunately). Luckily, my family are jetting off to Florida again in September so I've put my order in! 

Rachael xo

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